Perhaps your compass points you toward a 13-night voyage around the British Isles, with ports-of-call at British Open rota courses. Or maybe you’ve set your sight-glass on a seafaring swing around the Cape of Good Hope, the golf intermingled with refined wine tours and big-game safaris in the South African bush. When it comes to luxe golf cruises, the options are so rich, it’s really just a matter of what floats your boat.
GOLF & THE CARIBBEAN BY MEGA-YACHT
Sets sail: Feb. 27-March 5, 2016
You don’t want to sail the Caribbean in a rush. You want to sail the Caribbean in style. The mega-yacht SeaDream II ought to suffice on a cruise that starts and ends in St. Thomas, with delightful stops in the French West Indies, and the US and British Virgin Islands in between. A leisurely pace allows time for ample island exploration, as well as three rounds of golf: at Cuisinart Golf Club on Anguilla; Nevis Four Seasons; and Royal St. Kitts. As for the ship itself, it carries just over 100 passengers, nearly as many crew and one luxurious spa. From $4,949 (non-golfer discount: $1,450). Price includes dining, wines, an open bar and gratuities. perrygolf.com
VIP DELUXE CIRCLE HAWAII ISLANDS GOLF CRUISE
Sets sail: Every Wednesday, year-round
Aloha! And welcome to Honolulu. From the airport, you’ll be whisked to Turtle Bay Resort, on Oahu’s wild and woolly North Shore. During your three-day stay here, you’ll enjoy unlimited golf on the property’s Arnold Palmer and George Fazio courses. And when it’s time to go, a limo will shuttle you to the cruise ship port, where the luxurious Pride of America awaits. Your accommodations onboard: a butler-serviced presidential suite (unless you opt to upgrade to something even swankier). Your itinerary: a week-long cruise around the islands, with golf at such sweet tracks as the Plantation Course at Kapalua, the Emerald Course at Wailea; Kauai Lagoons, and more. From $7,099 low season; $9,949 high season; golfahoy.com
BORDEAUX GOLF AND WINE CRUISE
Sets sail: May 5-May 16, 2016
A region renowned for reds and whites offers world-class greens as well. The Garonne and Dordogne rivers combine to shape your route and the resplendent river cruiser AmaDoce serves as your ride on an excursion that blends tastings at Chateau d’Yquem with tee times at the Chateaux Course at Golf du Medoc, the only European layout by acclaimed architect Bill Coore. If Medoc rings a bell, that might be because the region is also home to Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Latour and Chateau Margaux, a Hall-of-Fame wine lineup if there ever was one. Rounding out the cultural menu are enticing options like cooking classes and meals at Michelin-starred restaurants. Phillip Alder, the bridge columnist for The New York Times, will be on board, teaching classes on the complex card game. And with top-flight tracks like Golf de Chiberta and Biarritz La Phare Golf Club dotting the ledger, you might consider asking for some golf tips as well. $8,695 per person for golfers; from $5,695 for non-golfers; kalosgolf.com
CANADIAN MARITIME GOLF CRUISES
Sets sail: Sept. 19-30, 2016
The Canadian Maritimes are known for their rugged beauty. Some have said the same about your game. Both spectacles will be on display during this expedition around Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick on a floating high-end hotel called the Silver Explorer. It’s voyage of staggering natural splendor, and the golf ain’t shabby either, with rounds at such marquee layouts as Cabot Links, Cabot Cliffs and the Golden Age-wonder Highland Links. From $10,778 per person; kalosgolf.com
SOUTH AFRICA GOLF CRUISE
Sets sail: Jan. 25-Feb. 9, 2017
Golf may have the Big Three. But Kruger National Park has the Big Five, all of which you’ll aim to see during your big game drive through South Africa’s fabled national park. The safari is just one of the diversions that pull you from the pleasures of the yacht-like Silver Cloud, a ship nimble enough to wend its way up rivers but comfortable enough to sail the open sea. An itinerary loaded with bucket-list layouts (Arabella, Pinnacle Point, Fancourt and more) leaves room for activities ranging from wine tasting tours to open Jeep rides through a 440,000-acre wild elephant park. Those pachyderms aren’t the only ones who’ll never forget. From $13,285 per person; kalosgolf.com
BRITISH OPEN AT ROYAL BIRKDALE CRUISE
Sets sail: July 19-Aug. 1, 2017
Tickets to the final round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale highlight this high-end sojourn on the Azamara Journey, a mid-size vessel with a spacious swimming pool, a tasteful casino and a lively cabaret, among other engaging features. Your port of call on championship Sunday is Liverpool, so there’s also time to stroll down Penny Lenny before you board your ship again and sail off toward great golf of your own. Six rounds are included at such lauded links as Royal Country Down, Turnberry, Prestwick and Castle Stuart. $4,495 for golf package; cruise fare starting at $4,499; perrygolf.com
