Golfers participating in one of Crystal Cruises' newly expanded Golf Theme Cruises in 2006 will be able to tee off on as many as six world-renowned courses on a single voyage, officials have announced. In addition, golfers can compete in Hole-in-One competitions for a chance to win a free Crystal cruise.
Hosted by a visiting PGA instructor, two dedicated Golf Theme Cruises will explore some of the best courses in the British Isles and Mediterranean. On May 25, the Crystal Serenity departs London for a 10-day round-trip journey showcasing play at:
--Gleneagles King's Course (near Edinburgh, Scotland)
--Royal Dornoch (near Invergordon, Scotland);
--Royal County Down (near Belfast, Northern Ireland);
--Royal Dublin (near Dublin, Ireland);
--Mount Juliet (near Waterford, Ireland); and
--St. Mellion (near Plymouth, England).
And on Aug. 19, the Crystal Symphony travels from Rome to London on a 12-day cruise with golf offered at:
--Golf Club Dell'Ugolino (near Florence, Italy);
--Monte Carlo Golf Club (near Monte Carlo, Monaco);
--Ste. Maxime Golf Club (near St. Tropez, France);
--Real Club de Golf el Prat (near Barcelona, Spain); and
--Penha Longa Golf Course (near Lisbon, Portugal).
"We have expanded our golf cruise programming to provide guests with more access to exclusive courses and more onboard enrichment to fine-tune their golfing skills," says John Stoll, Crystal's director of land programs. "On destination rich itineraries, golfers can indulge the passion of their favorite sport amidst the elegant surroundings and pampering service of Crystal's award-winning ships."
At each course, golfers will enjoy 18 holes of championship golf in organized foursomes, a 45-minute warm-up session on driving range or putting green, caddie or motorized cart, ninth hole refreshments, use of locker room facilities and transfers to and from the ship. On board, participating golfers will attend special parties and private clinics hosted by the PGA instructor and enjoy complimentary club and golf shoe cleaning after each course, as well as complimentary club storage.
Golfers playing all courses during either cruise are eligible to receive awards for competitions including: Best Overall Score for Putting Contest (team and individual); Best Overall Average Score (team and individual); Longest Drive; Closest to the Pin; and the ultimate: a Hole-in-One, which rewards the winner with a free Crystal cruise for two.
Exclusively with these two golf cruises, guests can ship their golf clubs from the United States through Virtual Bellhop for $100 each way -- a savings of 50 percent. In fact, for added convenience, all luggage can be shipped through the service.
Cruise fares for the 10- and 12-day cruises start at $4,250 and $3,990, respectively, based on per person, double occupancy accommodations. Crystal Cruises is introducing reduced business class air upgrade fares with all 2006 European cruises booked by Mar. 31. The special one-way business class air upgrade fares of $1,099 to $1,299 are in addition to Crystal Cruises' published coach class add-on fares.
In addition to Crystal's Golf Theme Cruises, the line also features a comprehensive onboard golf program in conjunction with TaylorMade. Also offered are men's and women's right- and left-handed clubs for onboard practice, a putting green, and golf driving ranges aboard each ship.
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