Golf Cruises – You Don’t Have To Leave Your Passion At The Pier

Can you imagine golfing on some of the best golf courses in the world but only unpacking your bags only once? Or having first class golf lessons on the deck of a floating resort? Or golfing five or more different 18 hole courses on different islands in one week? And even better, what if the golf is only one part of your vacation experience?

More and more golf addicts are looking at combining cruising and golfing for the ultimate in vacations. Most cruise lines are offering golf excursions in their itineraries allowing you to play the most well-known golf courses in the ports of call you visit anywhere in the world.

In addition, there are onboard golf clinics including instruction video about golf, golf cages and high tech video interaction for you to practice your golf shots while at sea. You have the option of bringing your own clubs, or renting high caliber clubs from the ship or particular course you will be playing. Some cruises are accompanied by a golf pro who will provide personal lessons, swing analysis and pointers to improve your play.

Once you reach port you have reserved tee times, transportation to and from the course and the services of a caddy. With many cruises, golf pairings can be arranged and you arrive at the golf club with your bag already on the cart and your caddy ready to go.

Your golf vacation cruise includes all accommodations and all meals onboard (open seating dining or traditional) 24-hour room service nightly live entertainment, full spa services, fitness center and casino and more.

Fortunately you can take a spouse, partner or family members who don’t golf on the same vacation and they will have lots to keep them occupied. No more golf widows or widowers! A golf cruise offers more than just golf. On board activities and optional shore excursions allow the non-golfer to explore the beauty and culture of new places while the golfer enjoys the best, most beautiful, most exciting and most thrilling courses in the world.

Golf cruises can take you to Hawaii, Asia to Australia, Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and many other destinations. Cruise lines like Holland America and Carnival offer golf vacations year round and Silversea and Seabourn provide escorted signature golf cruises in which every last detailed is pre-arranged.

With Silversea for example, golfers can perfect their swing on 35 world-class courses in 16 countries and islands. Norwegian Cruise Line has launched a new Golf Bermuda program, giving its golf-loving guests more opportunities to hit the links in Bermuda, where there are more courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

Crystal Cruises also has expanded its golf-themed cruises for 2008. Guests can tee off on three 11- and 12-day golf cruises in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and the maritime coast of Canada and New England.

What can you expect on a golf cruise? How about priority reserved tee-times at the 18-hole championship Robert von Hagge-designed El Tigre Golf Course in Puerto Vallarta and the Lee Trevino-designed El Cid Golf & Country Club in Mazatlan with private transfers to golf courses to and from the ship in Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. Expert club storage and handling on and off the ship and optional golf package in Cabo San Lucas.

Think of something more exotic? A golf cruise to the South Pacific can take you from the world-famous Sydney Opera House across the Java Sea for a visit to the Grand Mosque in Semerang, Indonesia or how about a cruise to Europe and golf at St. Andrews?

On most Crystal cruises, a qualified PGA pro is on board to offer golf classes and clinics. You’ll find driving range nets and a putting green, with a supply of practice clubs and balls. Crystal Cruises exclusively features TaylorMade. On board products include TaylorMade’s #1 ranked drivers used by PGA pros to lead in distance, accuracy and total driving company. Complete sets of TaylorMade™ clubs are also available for rental to use in ports where you may wish to play.

The bottom line is you don’t have to leave your passion on the pier! All of the major cruise lines offer you a chance to play golf ashore as part of an organized shore excursion, if there is a course nearby. You can bring your own clubs or rent them. And the non-golfers with you will be happy to see you enjoying your golf while they enjoy their cruise vacation!

Now is the time to contact a cruise specialist or favorite cruise line to start planning! Fore…