Costa Cruises, Official Cruise Line of the 2023 Ryder Cup and Official Supplier of the Italian Golf Federation, brings the passion for golf to your holidays with the “Cruise & Golf” formula, which combines a unique golf experience with the relaxation and fun of a Costa cruise on its most innovative ships.
Starting this winter, “Cruise & Golf” will be available not only on Costa Smeralda Mediterranean cruises but also on Costa Toscana Persian Gulf itineraries. Golf enthusiasts will have the opportunity to play at some of the most beautiful golf clubs in Italy, France, and Spain (with the Costa Smeralda), or in the United Arab Emirates and Oman (with the Costa Toscana), during port calls at destinations included in the cruise itinerary. Each day, golfers can play on a different course in maximum comfort and convenience, while families on vacation can enjoy onboard amenities or explore wonderful locations thanks to excursions organized by the cruise line. This type of experience is also perfect for small groups of golfers to play together at clubs and share their passion.
To take advantage of the offer, guests can purchase a Costa Smeralda Mediterranean cruise or a Costa Toscana cruise through the United Arab Emirates and Oman, and then add the golf package to the booking, which includes three or four "Green Fees" to access the golf clubs included in the offer.
The selection of golf clubs for the Costa Toscana's 2022/23 winter cruises is exclusive, with the added advantage of being able to play at night, thanks to the ship's extended port calls. In Dubai, you can choose the Emirates Golf Club, home of the annual Dubai Desert Classic, an 18-hole course measuring 6,676 meters that winds through hundreds of species of native flora and fauna, seven lakes, and offers spectacular views of the Dubai skyline; or The Els Club, designed by US Open and Open Championship winner Ernie Els, a venue for the Asian Tour. In Abu Dhabi, there's the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, one of the world's finest 27-hole courses and host of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship for 16 consecutive years. and Yas Links Golf Club, which hosted the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in 2022. In Muscat (Oman), there is Almouj Golf Club, designed by Greg Norman and home to the Oman Open, which stands out for its incredible location facing the Indian Ocean, with the Hajar Mountains in the background; and Ghala Golf Club, Oman's oldest and most prestigious club, which has hosted the Oman National Championships since the 1970s and the MENA Tour for the past four years.
Among the golf clubs selected for Costa Esmeralda are the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, official venue of the 2023 Ryder Cup, the challenge between Team Europe and Team USA scheduled for the first time in Italy; the Circolo del Golf Roma Acquasanta, one of the oldest golf clubs in Italy; the Garlenda Golf Club, surrounded by ancient olive groves and pine forests in the enchanting landscape of the western Ligurian Riviera; the Genova Sant'Anna Golf Club, which has hosted two Italian Professional Doubles Championships and was designed by Robert Von Hagge, one of the world's most famous golf course architects; the Real Club de Golf El Prat, which has hosted the Spanish Open Golf Championship 10 times; the Terramar Sitges Golf Club, one of the oldest golf clubs in Spain, located 20 meters from the sea; and the Son Gual Golf Club in Palma de Mallorca, one of the best golf clubs in continental Europe. T-Golf Calvia, one of the oldest, most highly rated and most popular courses on the island of Mallorca; Golf Bastide de la Salette, with spectacular views of the Garlaban mountain range and Marsella; and Golf Sainte Baume, with an 18-hole course that blends with pine trees, aromatic plants and oaks.
Other golf clubs are also available for groups, such as Argentario Golf Club, designed by architect David Mezzacane and professional golfer Baldovino Dassù, a symbol of Italian golf worldwide; Golf Nazionale, the technical center of the Italian Golf Federation; PGA Catalunya, ranked number 1 among golf clubs in Spain and among the top four in Europe; and Son Vida, the oldest and most prestigious club in Mallorca, a legend among players from across Europe, and twice a host of the European Tour (in 1990 and 1994). The final hole of the par 5, with a second shot over water, is a favorite among the most daring golfers.
Costa Cruises' "Cruise & Golf" package allows you to enjoy a truly effortless golf experience. In addition to green fees, the package includes a range of special services to help you make the most of your golf and cruise experience. These include dedicated transfers between the ship and the golf club, priority embarkation and disembarkation every day, personalized transport and onboard storage for your golf equipment, bag, and a welcome kit in your cabin, as well as a reserved area in the restaurant. Furthermore, there is a special offer for golfers and their families to enjoy the exceptional variety of restaurants available on the Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana—including the Archipelago restaurant, which features menus created for Costa by three renowned chefs: Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze, and Ángel León—and to sample a selection of treatments and services at the onboard spa and beauty salon, Solemio.
From autumn 2022 and throughout 2023, the Costa Smeralda offers week-long itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, visiting Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca (Ibiza in summer), Palermo, and Civitavecchia/Rome. In winter 2022/23, the Costa Toscana offers a week-long itinerary in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, available as a flight + cruise package, which includes extended stops of two days and one night in Dubai, Muscat, and Abu Dhabi.
