Golf Cruises
Miniature or computerised? Onboard putting or hitting the links ashore? Whatever your golfing preference, there's a golf cruise to suit.
With more than 50 million golfers worldwide and nearly two million in Australia and the nearby islands, golf fits very neatly with the active lifestyle of today's cruise passengers. As New York-based CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) points out: "Cruise passengers travel in a country club atmosphere" and "each new port of call can mean a new golf adventure."
Across the industry, cruise lines are devising an eclectic mix of golf activities and facilities to satisfy the urge to yell, "Fore!". What's more, these programmes often employ the latest technology to make your swing sweeter and the golf experience unparalleled. In fact, you can do just about anything golf-related except drive balls off the back of the ship. Naturally, for environmental reasons, this has been discontinued.
Generally speaking, golf programmes offered by cruise lines can be divided into two categories - on-ship and ashore. Ship-based facilities may constitute simple putting greens or full-scale miniature courses. Traditional, netted cages for chipping and driving are present on many ships, but increasingly, these are giving way to computerised golf simulators: Golfers hit the ball into a large video screen, and a laser system calculates the distance and location of each shot. In this manner, passengers can "play" more than 40 of the world's most famous courses from Hawaii to Spain, according to Elite Golf Cruises.
The Florida-based company manages onboard golf academies for more than 40 cruise ships worldwide. Passengers can fantasise they are actually on greens that have hosted the British Open, US Open and Ryder Cup, to name a few; where champions have been crowned and history has been made.
Many ships also offer Elite's "V-1 Digital Coaching System", which videotapes a golfer's swing and then provides a split-screen analysis - comparing the passenger's stroke to the technique of golfing legends or current players. Another feature of the V-1 system puts Tiger Woods on camera. With the aid of his one-time coach Butch Harmon, Tiger demonstrates how the system can improve anyone's game.
Ship-organised golf excursions, meanwhile, typically include guaranteed tee times, greens fees, cart fees, and transportation to and from the course. In some cases, the golf pro who leads the excursion may play a few holes with the group.
Regardless of skill level, anyone can enjoy the opportunities to golf on a cruise, since today's golf programmes are geared towards every handicap. "The whole programme opens golf to people who don't belong to a country club, who may have been intimidated, or just thought they weren't very good," says Michele Knipp, Elite Golf Cruises' Director of Marketing.
Organised excursions take the guesswork out of venturing to local courses when ashore. "We use the best courses," Knipp says. "We have priority tee times. We have liability insurance that covers guests from gangway to gangway. There are no hassles ashore, whether it's missed taxis or language barriers," she adds. Reservations for these excursions can often be made online.
While serious golfers can bring their own clubs, novices can play and practise with rented equipment - frequently using some of the best-known, brand-name drivers and putters from Callaway, TaylorMade or Nike. Some lines are happy to let you store your clubs in your cabin, but others prefer that you use their shipboard storage room, for a charge. It should be noted that other fees may be imposed for use of the computerised golf simulators, individual instruction on board, and of course, for excursions ashore.
Although costs vary by cruise line, prices start at about $32 for a "swing check". Use of golf simulators may cost around $39 an hour, while a 30-minute lesson generally costs about $65. Equipment rental costs about $45 per day for clubs and $15 for shoes. Accessories are often for sale. These may include logo golf balls, gloves, and a range of golfing apparel (for those who like to pack light!). Golf excursions ashore may range from $70 to $300. Shipboard putting competitions are generally free, and a few luxury lines may provide practice equipment aboard ship free of charge.
Alternatively, the ship may offer a golf-and-spa combo package: one person golfs while the other enjoys the amenities of the onboard spa at a reduced rate. Non-golfers may even receive a certificate redeemable at onboard art auctions. "We're working with the onboard concessionaires to bring a lot of value to the golfers," Elite's Knipp says.
So who goes golfing? Virtually all of cruising's major names have jumped on the golf cart. To help choose the most suitable option for you from a myriad of options, here's a rundown on the latest golf programmes available from major cruise lines, listed in alphabetical order:
Carnival Cruise lines is one of several companies that offer the V-1 Digital Coaching System. The liner's dedicated website provides a complete overview of the programme, a full list of prices and a rundown of excursions ashore organised by ship and itinerary. Reservations can be made online. www.carnivalgolf.com
Celebrity Cruises has a golf programme on all of its ships, including computerised simulators on most vessels and traditional cages on Horizon and Zenith. Lessons are taught using Elite Golf's V-1 system. More information on pricing and reservations can be accessed at www.celebritycruisesgolf.com
Costa Cruises, best known for its vacations in the Mediterranean, offers golf on Caribbean-bound cruises. One-on-one instruction is provided to participating golfers, who may also partake in optional golf excursions ashore. Other golf-oriented activities include putting competitions and driving range practice. www.costacruises.com
Crystal Cruises hosts a certified PGA golf pro who conducts classes and clinics on virtually every sailing. Afterwards, guests may practise their new skills in the ship's driving range or on the putting green. Occasional theme cruises focus on golf as their topic and add presentations by PGA celebrities discussing their experiences on the professional tour circuit. www.crystalcruises.com
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, based in the UK, runs a "Flagship Golf Programme" on cruise departures to the Canary Islands, Mediterranean and Caribbean. The extra-charge packages include four rounds of golf ashore (including transportation), a welcome party, free practice on board, up to five sessions of tutorial from a PGA pro, lectures and a farewell reception. A calendar of designated golf itineraries is available at www.fredolsencruises.com
Holland America Line offers a truly unusual golf experience for passengers booking cruise tours in Alaska. In a unique twist, the line will stage its first ever "Great Land Golf Classic" on selected cruise tour departures, featuring tee time at courses in Whitehorse, Dawson City and just outside Denali National Park. Elsewhere, HAL offers an onboard golf academy on Oosterdam, Prinsendam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam. More information on services, fees and outings, including reservations, can be found at www.hollandamericagolf.com
Norwegian Cruise Line has made golfing a centrepiece of its land programmes in Hawaii aboard NCL America, which features more than 140 excursions ashore. Among them are a dozen organised golf outings to courses on the Big Island, Maui and Kauai. Currently, Pride of Aloha sails inter-island trips year-round, with Pride of America joining the fleet in July. www.ncl.com
P&O Princess Cruises' biggest ships feature "Princess Links", a golfing complex located on the sports deck where passengers can hone their putting skills on a nine-hole miniature course or sign up for a shot at the ship's computerised sand-traps and water hazards. Vessels in Australian and UK fleets may have varying facilities, such as simulators (Pacific Sky or Aurora) and chipping nets. All offer golf tours ashore depending on itinerary and access to nearby courses. www.pocruises.com.au
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises offers an organised golf programme, primarily on its Bermuda sailings. A golf instructor conducts laser-putting analysis, PGA swing lectures, and previews what's new in custom equipment. Passengers may participate in a shipboard "Seven Seas Putting Championship" or sign up for private lessons. Arrangements are made for tee times ashore at private clubs upon passengers' request. In other destinations where golf is a highlight, the shore excursions desk can make individual arrangements. www.rssc.com
Royal Caribbean International has 18-hole miniature golf courses on Legend of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas. Nine-hole courses challenge players aboard the company's Radiance-class vessels and Voyager-class vessels, which also have computerised simulators. Some Royal Caribbean ships even have a golf-themed lounge called "The 19th Hole" for cooling down after teeing off. www.royalcaribbean.com
Seabourn Cruise Line touts its golf programme as one that's "designed for the utmost in flexibility". You decide where you want to play, with a selection that includes some of the most revered and challenging courses. Thanks to Seabourn's globetrotting itineraries, golfers get to sample greens the world over. While the onboard travel manager can make arrangements after embarkation, Seabourn offers the additional convenience of pre-booking golf arrangements online at www.seabourngolf.com
Silversea Cruises bills its "Silver Links 365" as "the most comprehensive golf programme at sea". Every voyage of Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper offers the opportunity to indulge yourself in the art and sport of golf, whether it's practising with a pro in the golf cage, competing in putting contests, or teeing off with other golf-minded passengers during escorted outings ashore. A list of designated golf sailings is available at www.silverseagolf.com
Written by MT Schwartzman, Issue 20 Winter 2005