About once a month, you get a destination feature from us, but this month, we’ll talk about a SERIES of destinations that revolve around GOLF.  Travel and Golf have always gone hand in hand, but GOLF CRUISES and HOSTED GOLF JOURNEYS are quickly becoming one of the smartest ways to experience bucket list courses around the world.   

WHY Cruise & Golf?

• Unpack once and experience golf on different courses, and maybe different countries.
• Efficiency: The ship moves at night, so you’re not losing vacation days in transit. 
• Inclusions:  you’re not constantly pulling out your wallet to pay for things.
• Kindred Spirits:  You’ll be cruising with other golfers on board. 
• Non-Golfers are taken care of by the regular cruise programming.
• All the details are taken care of.  You need not worry about transfers and logistics. 
• Guaranteed tee times.  Some courses can be extremely difficult to access independently.

WHERE Can You GOLF and Cruise? 

• Danube River (Bavaria, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary) with AMA Waterways.
• Japan with Azamara Cruises. 
• Seine River (Paris to Normandy) with AMA Waterways
• Scotland & Ireland with Azamara, or on a Land Package.
• Spain & Portugal with Azamara
• Norway with Azamara
• Thailand with Azamara, OR on a Land Package
• Caribbean Islands with Azamara or on a Land Package.
• Australia & New Zealand with Azamara or on a Land Package

WHO Goes on these trips?

• Couples:  even when only ONE of them is a GOLF enthusiast.
• Girlfriends or Buddy getaways
• Cruisers who have been to destinations before, but want to do something active ashore. 
• Golf Enthusiasts already have trips like this on their radar!

WHY NOT Do-It-Yourself?

• Unforeseen Costs: The transfers and logistics of golfing will add up.
• Trouble securing a tee time.  Some courses can be really difficult to get on.
• Logistics: Club handling, ground transportation, and language barriers make having someone with local knowledge incredibly valuable.  You’re on vacation! 

Golf vacations are about more than just the scorecard.  It’s about stories, magnificent golf course landscapes, and shared experiences with like-minded people.  Your best golf rounds aren’t necessarily the ones with the lowest scores, but rather those rounds you’ll still be talking about long after the trip is over. 

Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED Podcast

Check out our UNPACKED PODCAST where Kim & Bob chat about the world of GOLF CRUISES and PREMIUM LAND GOLF VACATIONS, and why more travelers are discovering that structured GOLF TRIPS can be the smartest way to experience BUCKET LIST COURSES:

https://youtu.be/kk2xFfQlEVw

In Case You Missed It:

AMA WATERWAYS has a ton of Golf Cruises on the Danube River (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary), and in France.  We’re also having a private sale with them this month.  Here’s more info:  https://pamperedcruiser.com/ama-waterways-river-cruising-done-right/ 

TRAVEL HACKS:  Here’s a little window into our world when we travel:  how we pay for things, the APPs we rely on, how we keep in touch with home, and dealing with the metric system: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-hacks-you-can-use/

The PAMPERED CRUISER TEAM:  We do it a bit differently than other travel agencies.  Each one of us will touch your reservation at some point.  Here’s a look behind the curtain at the people BEHIND the emails and phone calls: 

https://pamperedcruiser.com/our-team-the-first-people-you-meet-on-vacation/

Featured YOUTUBE Video:

BEYOND THE GREEN JOURNEYS:  If you’re a GOLFER, you’ll want to subscribe to this new channel that will highlight GOLF VACATIONS, as well as CRUISE & GOLF Experiences:

https://youtu.be/1EDHqLhK-M0?si=hqJbbhK-3GH7M1jy

Have something to say about this?

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid02FmWxcoRRaB3d5sNR3V6mTVWDXKC54epAvZRopKKjqPJA59dseGeM2ks2Y1Kw5JuRl

Today’s Travel Opportunities

GOLF River Cruises with AMA WATERWAYS

Remember we are running a PRIVATE SALE (NOT just on Golf Cruises!) with AMA during the month of April, so we have exclusive offers ONLY available through our agency.

GOLF JOURNEYS on the DANUBE with AMA 

• These are great if you’d like to play 4 or 5 rounds of golf at different courses along your journey, with all the details taken care of for you.  Especially great for couples with only ONE golfer.
• Danube River between Vilshofen (Bavaria) and Budapest.  Visit Passau, Linz, Melk, Vienna, Bratislava.
• 2026: Departures April through September from $4,099
• 2027: Departures March through December from $3,579

Paris & Normandy round-trip Paris departing September 17 for one-week

• Visit Les Andelys, Le Havre, Honfleur, Normandy Landing Beaches, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Vernon, Paris (overnight). 
• Optional 2-night Paris Extension
• Window Fares $5349.  
• French Balcony Fare: $7248. 

Learn about AMA’s Concierge Golf Program: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/pamperedcruiser/explore/golf-cruises 

GOLF Adventures with AZAMARA

Azamara is the DESTINATION INTENSIVE small-ship cruise line that partners with PERRY GOLF to put together itineraries all over the world.  

GOLF CRUISE in JAPAN: Kobe to Tokyo departing May 6, 2027 for 14-nights

• This one is great for golfers, OR those really wanting to explore Japan. 
• Visit Kobe (overnight), Kochi, Hiroshima, Kitakyushu, Nagasaki, Busan, Sakaiminato, Kanazawa, Niigata, Akita, Aomori, and Toyko (overnight)
• Fares from $5,439 per person
• GOLF:  5-rounds with all the logistics managed for you: $4395 per person. 

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN GOLF: Rome to Barcelona departing October 31, for 7-nights

• Start in Rome and visit Florence, Monte Carlo, Nice, Provence, Palamos, and finish in Barcelona. 
• Veranda Fares from $3359

PERRY GOLF:  Azamara has over 40 itineraries ALL OVER THE WORLD where they partner with Perry Golf.  Here’s a link to the complete list: 

https://www.azamara.com/golf-cruises

GOLF PACKAGES — Premium Land Journeys

There are some golf destinations not accessible by ship.  Here are two are close to home: 

UNITED STATES: Master’s Tournament and Low Country Golf Tour for 12-nights

• Experience the excitement of the final round of the Masters Tournament combined with a small-group golf journey through the historic American Southeast.
• Attend the Sunday finale at Augusta National Golf Club, then continue on to the scenic Low country for six rounds of golf at outstanding venues including the Kiawah Island Golf Resort Ocean Course and the iconic TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course. Along the way you’ll also enjoy time in the historic coastal cities of Charleston and Savannah.
• This escorted tour features hand-picked courses, luxury accommodations, and seamless transportation throughout. 
• Non-golfers are very welcome and can attend the Masters, enjoy sightseeing and dining in Charleston and Savannah, or relax at the coastal resorts.
• Departs in April each year for 12-nights
• Fares INCLUDING Golf: $16,298
• No Golf: $14,498

CANADIAN ROCKIES:  GOLF & SCENIC LUXURY TRAIN departing August 13, 2027 for 10-nights

• Experience one of the world’s most famous and scenic luxury rail trips, AND golf in the shadow of the majestic Canadian Rockies
• Fly to Calgary, and get transferred to Banff, where you’ll spend 3-nights at the world-famous Fairmont Banff Springs, and get a golf game in while you’re there.  Next, go to the Columbia Ice Fields, and do a snowcat glacier tour, before spending 2-nights at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for your next round of golf.  To round out your Rockies stay, you’ll spend one-night at the Fairmont Lake Louise.  Spend the next 2 days in a GOLD LEAF Car on one of the world’s premier rail journeys.  Upon arrival in Vancouver, you’ll transfer to Whistler for 3-nights for more golf, and to experience this world-class resort. Transfer back to Vancouver Airport is included.  
• Fares INCLUDING Golf: $13,450
• No Golf: $11,990

RIVER CRUISE GOLF in France with UNIWORLD

WINE & GOLF in Bordeaux, FRANCE for 8-days

• Visit Cussac (for Medoc Oyster tasting), Cadillac (Toulouse-Lautrec’s house), Blaye (for Blaye Fortress – a UNESCO site), Bourg sur Gironde, Libourne (for the Farmer’s Market), Saint Emilion
• Optional extension to Biarritz Basque Country (3-nights PRE) and/or Paris (2-nights post).
• Depart May 31 from $5499
• Depart July 26 from $2,349
• Depart August 23 from $2,129
• GOLF is an additional $999 per person for two 18-hole rounds.  

CRYSTAL CRUISES Small Ship Luxury

Crystal has a certified PGA Golf Professional to help you with your game on every cruise.  Golf driving nets, complimentary clinics, and putting greens.  

CANADA NEW ENGLAND:  Montreal to New York departing October 16 for 10-nights

• Start in Montreal, and visit Quebec City, Iles-de-la-Madeline, Sydney, Halifax, Saint John, Portland, Boston, Newport, and end in New York City
• Fares from $6,300

CARIBBEAN:  Fort Lauderdale round-trip departing March 8, 2027 for 11-nights

• Start in Fort Lauderdale and visit San Juan, St. John’s, Gustavia, Roseau, St. Kitts, Road Town, and finish back in Fort Lauderdale
• Fares from $4,372

Travel Opportunities For NON-Golfers

Not everyone’s a GOLFER, so here’s some ideas for you:

SEA CLOUD Sailing Yachts

If you like the size of a river boat, with lots of time ashore, but want to visit some salt water destinations, check out SEA CLOUD.

SPAIN & ITALY:  From Mallorca to Sardinia departing August 22 for 10-nights

• Music themed cruise!  
• Start in Palma de Mallorca and visit Ibiza, Mahón, Alghero, Porto Cervo, Ajaccio, and finish in Olbia
• Fares from $6,085

GRENADINES:  Round-trip from Bridgetown, Barbados departing December 8 for 7-nights

• Close to home with easy flight connections!
• Start in Bridgetown and visit Port Elizabeth, St. Vincent & Grenadines, St. George’s, Saint-Pierre, Soufrière and finish in Bridgetown
• Fares from $4,870

REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES

GREENLAND, CANADIAN ARCTIC & NEWFOUNDLAND: Departing September 21 for 17-nights

• Visit Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut, and Disko Bay in Greenland, Qikiqtarjuaq, Lady Franklin Island, Monumental Island, and the Button Islands in Nunavut Territory, Saglek Fjord, Hebron, Tikkoatokak Bay, L’Anse aux Meadows, Red Bay, Norris Point and Woody Point in Newfoundland, as well as St. Pierre & Miquelon (France)  and finish in St. John’s. 
• Fares from $14,629

NORWAY & ICELAND:  Longyearbyen to Reykjavik departing July 10, 2027 for 10-nights

• Get NORTH of the Arctic Circle, and experience the midnight sun, the Greenland Sea, and urban Reykjavik
• Start in Oslo, and then take an included charter flight to board your ship in Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean.  Spend 3 days spotting whales, polar bears, and other wildlife in coastal Norway before heading across the Greenland Sea.  Make 3 stops in remote parts of Iceland before finishing your trip in Reykjavik.  
• Fares from $9504

Recently booked a Viking Cruise?

Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board.  Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation (even if you booked ON BOARD).

We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.

We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.

There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).

If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue Bradley