CRUISE LINES HAVE LONG SOUGHT to bring the pleasures and perks of land-based luxury resorts to passengers at sea. Golf is no exception. Golfers today can get in a round even on board, thanks to the development of sophisticated golf simulators. These high-tech, compact games — employing clubs, balls, tees and computerized projection screens — first appeared in 1997 on Princess Cruises, and they have proliferated. So have netted driving ranges, putting greens and teaching pros at hand to fine-tune a passenger’s swing. For those seeking play on real fairways, some cruise lines now make it easy to book tee times at selected ports of call, while others offer the ultimate golfer’s sailing: a golf-themed cruise.
Unlike a vacation at a golf resort, a golf cruise sweeps from port to port, shuttling its guests from sea to tee at a number of widely separated world-class courses. There’s no need to change accommodations along the way. A golf cruise also addresses the complaints of the golf widow (or widower) by enabling a non-golfing spouse to enjoy all the options of a normal sailing, including exotic ports and shore excursions.
Golf cruises are usually run by private agencies. One such, GolfAhoy, pioneered the concept in 1988 and now provides full golfing services on 193 ships worldwide. GolfAhoy’s Circle Hawaii golf cruises feature butler service and penthouse suites on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America. A New Year’s cruise departing Dec. 30 includes golf at five Hawai’ian courses capped by special admission to the PGA Tour Tournament of Champions. GolfAhoy also offers a 21-day Ultimate Antarctica and Patagonia Golf Cruise on Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Quest, departing Jan. 13, 2018, with golf rounds in Buenos Aires, Santiago, Montevideo, Punta Arenas and the Falkland Islands.
Another agency, Kalos Golf, administers 15 golf cruises in 2018, including a South Africa cruise Jan. 4–18 on Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony, a Bordeaux golf and wine cruise on AmaWaterways May 16–27, and a Pacific Northwest cruise on Silversea Cruises’ Silver Explorer Sept. 5–15.
PerryGolf offers cruises which include golf at Bro Hof Slott in Stockholm, Sweden © PERRY GOLF
Perhaps the cruise line most dedicated to golfers, Azamara Club Cruises, teamed up with PerryGolf for six special cruises in 2018, with itineraries in New Zealand/Australia, the Iberian Peninsula, the French Riviera, the Baltic Sea, the Arabian Gulf and the United Kingdom (which includes attendance at the final round of the 147th British Open). PerryGolf oversees all aspects of Azamara’s golf cruises, from daily pairings and caddies to handling of each participant’s clubs. PerryGolf also arranges golf cruises on SeaDream Yacht Club’s two mega-yachts in the Caribbean and the French Riviera.
Golf cruises are especially popular with small groups and are often given as gifts for anniversaries and birthdays. For couples split between a desire to tour the world by sea and golf the world’s great courses in luxury, a golf cruise can be the perfect unifier.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Apr 13, 2026Lá Sen at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Debuts Refined Vietnamese Dinner Experience
Lá Sen at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai recently unveiled a refined dinner experience that proves Vietnam’s culinary traditions do not need reinvention, but precision, respect and craft. Lá Sen’s new direction emphasizes heritage, built on authentic regional recipes and time-honored techniques.
Sponsored Content
Three Must-Do AmaWaterways River Cruises for the Entire Family
For travelers seeking the perfect blend of relaxation, cultural immersion and family-friendly adventure, few experiences rival that of an AmaWaterways river cruise. Recently honored in Global Traveler’s 2025 Leisure Lifestyle Awards as Best River Cruise Line for the third consecutive year, AmaWaterways continues to set the standard for authentic and inclusive exploration on Europe’s storied waterways. Throughout your journey, you’ll enjoy spacious staterooms; exquisite farm-to-ship cuisine; enriching excursions led by expert local guides; and a warm, attentive crew dedicated to making every journey seamless. For families looking to create lasting memories, here are three unforgettable AmaWaterways itineraries worth experiencing within the coming months.
Slideshow
Apr 13, 20267 Reasons to Put Detroit, Michigan, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Detroit, Michigan, with us.
Destinations
Apr 13, 2026I Took a Trip Without Knowing the Destination … Here’s What I Learned
When it comes to travel planning, I’m a control freak. I book flights based on aircraft type and seat availability, overanalyze hotel reviews, know exactly what I’m going to eat or drink before ever setting foot in a restaurant, and capture every last detail in a lengthy Google document. So, when I recently had the opportunity to take a surprise trip — with nary a decision made by me — I was a little skeptical. The thought of relinquishing my travel fate to someone else gives me the shakes. However, a tiny part of me was curious about what would happen if I let go, so Type A personality be damned, I decided to face my inner planner head-on and head out on an unknown solo getaway.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Daily
Apr 13, 2026Must-Visit Bridges: Remei Kobashi Bridge in Tokyo’s Waterfront District
Reimei Kobashi footbridge, which connects Kachidoki Station and Harumi 3-chome in Tokyo’s waterfront district, opened to the public in 2024 and has since received many design awards, including winning the Architectural Design Infrastructure category at the Architecture Master Prize 2025 competition, an international award recognizing excellence in architectural design. The footbridge was designed by Tokyo-based Hoshino Architects, with Hiroaki Hoshino as lead designer.
Korean Air Opens Flagship Lounge at LAX
April 2026
Apr 11, 2026Daily
Apr 10, 2026Immersive Tequila Experience Opens in Miami
Newly opened in Miami, through May 5, Tequila Town is a 25,000-square-foot immersive experience that dives into the vibrant history, rich culture and fascinating stories that reveal the tale of this beloved distilled spirit.
Sponsored Content
26 Unforgettable Luxuries Across the Island of Ireland in 2026
From dramatic coastlines and ancient sites to lively festivals and hidden gems, the island of Ireland offers unforgettable experiences year-round. Whether visiting for the first time or returning for more, this list will guide you through both classic favorites and underrated treasures.
Daily
Apr 10, 2026A Bucket List Guidebook to Must‑Play Courses
According to the National Golf Foundation, more than 12 million Americans have traveled to play golf each year since 2022. The golf travel trend continues to grow as the sport expands and gains popularity. Certain courses have become bucket-list destinations in themselves.
ShareThis