Golf enthusiasts participating in one of Crystal Cruises’ newly expanded Golf Theme Cruises next year will be able to tee off on as many as six world-renowned courses on a single voyage. In addition to enjoying 18-hole championship golf ashore and enhanced special events on board, 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 explore some of the best courses in the British Isles and Mediterranean. On May 25, 2006, the ultra-luxurious Crystal Serenity departs London for a 10-day round-trip journey showcasing play at:

  *  Gleneagles King’s Course (Edinburgh);

  *  Dornoch (Invergordon);

*  Royal County Down (Belfast);
  *  Royal Dublin (Dublin);
  *  Mount Juliet (Waterford); and
  *  St. Mellion (Plymouth).

 

Later in the year on August 19, the award-winning Crystal Symphony travels from Rome to London on a 12-day cruise with golf offered at:

  *  Golf Club Dell’Ugolino (Florence);
  *  Monte Carlo Golf Club (Monte Carlo);
  *  Ste. Maxime Golf Club (St. Tropez);
  *  Real Club de Golf el Prat (Barcelona); and
  *  Penha Longa Golf Course (Lisbon).

 

“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, 45-minute warm-up session on driving range or putting green, caddy or motorized cart, 9th hole refreshments, use of locker room facilities, and transfers to and from the ship.

On board, participating golfers attend special parties and private clinics hosted by the visiting 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 U.S. through Virtual Bellhop for only $100 each way—a savings of 50%.

In fact, for added convenience, all luggage can be shipped through the service. For more information and arrangements on golf club and luggage shipping, contact Virtual Bellhop at http://www.virtualbellhop.com/ or call 877-Bellhop. Crystal recommends that golfers bring their own clubs, as their rental at the courses is based on availability.

Crystal’s two Golf Theme Cruises showcase the best of golf on itineraries rich in culture and natural beauty:

  *  “Castles & Kilts” aboard Crystal Serenity; May 25 - June 4; 10 days
    round-trip from London; ports of call include:  Edinburgh and
    Invergordon, Scotland; Belfast, Dublin and Waterford, Ireland; and,
    Plymouth and Guernsey, England.

  *  “Epicurean Odyssey” aboard Crystal Symphony; August 19 - 31; 12 days
    from Rome to London; ports of call include:  Florence, Italy; Monte
    Carlo, Monaco; St. Tropez and Bordeaux (overnight), France; Barcelona,
    Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; and Guernsey, England.

Cruise fares for the 10- and 12-day cruises start at $4,250 and $3,990, respectively, based on per person, double occupancy accommodations. As an additional value, Crystal Cruises is introducing reduced business class air upgrade fares with all 2006 European cruises booked by March 31, 2006.

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. Available from selected major gateways in the U.S., the upgraded airfares are approximately 50% lower than unrestricted business class airfares to Europe.

In addition to Crystal’s Golf Theme Cruises, the luxury line also features a comprehensive onboard golf program in conjunction with TaylorMade. The alliance showcases TaylorMade’s acclaimed 2005 RAC OS irons, the prestigious r7 quad driver, the Mezza Monza putter, and the r5 dual Type N—the most forgiving driver TaylorMade has ever engineered. 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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