Golf Cruises: Every Itinerary Worth Taking
Sail between the world's great links and let the ports do the driving. The British Isles and The Open, the Scottish islands, the Mediterranean cities, played from a small luxury ship with the tee times handled. The itineraries worth taking, costed to the head.
Who this trip suits
A golf cruise solves the one real problem with a multi region links trip, the driving and the packing. Instead of a coach between hotels, you unpack once on a small luxury ship and let it sail overnight to the next golf coast while you sleep. On the days that matter you step ashore, play a marquee course with the tee times, transfers and caddies arranged, and return to the ship for dinner. It suits couples and small groups who want the bucket list links without the logistics, and it is the most comfortable way to thread together courses that are otherwise hours apart by road.
It also works beautifully for mixed parties. Golf is optional on each port day, so a non playing partner can take the ship, the spa and the shore excursions while the group plays. The vessels used for golf cruises are small, often under seven hundred guests, calling at city centers and harbors rather than the mega ship terminals, which keeps the whole trip intimate. We match the itinerary, the cabin grade and the round count to your group and settle it as one clear price per head.
The cruises worth taking
Our pick of the golf cruise itineraries and the courses that make them. For land based versions of the same regions, see our Scotland golf holidays and Ireland golf holidays guides.
- 1
British Isles and The Open
Dublin to Edinburgh, JulyThe flagship voyage, a two week sailing around the British Isles that plays links such as Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie and Royal County Down and includes attendance at The Open. In 2026 that is the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, with transport from the ship to the championship. The single best golf cruise on the calendar.
- 2
Scottish Links and Islands
Edinburgh to Dublin, late JulyA sailing up the Scottish coast and out to the islands, mixing east coast links near St Andrews with the rugged courses of the Hebrides and a call into Northern Ireland. The most scenic of the links cruises, and a fine pairing with the Open voyage back to back.
- 3
Mediterranean Cities
Rome to Barcelona, autumnA warm weather alternative that pairs resort courses on the Italian, French and Spanish coasts with the great port cities. Golf in the morning, a city in the afternoon, and the kind of sunshine the links cruises cannot promise. The pick for autumn.
- 4
Iberia and the Atlantic Coast
Lisbon and the AlgarveA Portuguese and Spanish Atlantic sailing that calls at Lisbon and the Algarve, home to some of Europe's best resort golf at courses like the ones around Vilamoura and the Lisbon coast. A relaxed, sunny itinerary with first class food ashore.
- 5
New Zealand and Australia
Tasman sailings, southern summerFor the long haul golfer, a Tasman voyage that calls near Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs and the Australian sandbelt. A bucket list itinerary that pairs the southern hemisphere's finest courses with dramatic coastline, best from December to March.
- 6
Norwegian Fjords and the Baltic
Northern Europe, midsummerA summer novelty that plays the far northern courses under near endless daylight, with fjord and Baltic scenery between rounds. Less about marquee names and more about the experience of midnight light golf from a comfortable ship.
A sample structure
One way a British Isles golf cruise tends to flow. We tailor the round count, the cabin and the dates to your group.
- Day 1
Embark in Dublin
Board the ship, unpack once, and sail that evening with a welcome dinner as the Irish coast slips by.
- Day 2
Royal County Down
Ashore in Northern Ireland for one of the world's great links beneath the Mountains of Mourne, transfers and tee times arranged, back aboard for dinner.
- Day 3
The Open at Royal Birkdale
A day at the 154th Open, with motorcoach transport from the ship to the championship and back. Non golfers take in Liverpool.
- Day 4
Kingsbarns and Dumbarnie
Up to the Fife coast for two modern links a short drive from St Andrews, the home of golf within reach for the afternoon.
- Day 5
Disembark in Edinburgh
A final breakfast aboard and ashore in the Scottish capital, a fortnight of the world's best links played without ever changing hotels.
Indicative fare range
Indicative 2026 ranges, third party and per person, typically including the cruise, several rounds with transfers and most meals, excluding international flights. Fares move sharply with cabin grade, itinerary and demand, so always confirm directly before booking.
| Voyage level | Per person, indicative | What it tends to include |
|---|---|---|
| Week long | From around 6,000 to 9,000 USD | A balcony cabin on a seven night sailing, a three round golf package with transfers, most meals aboard and the shore excursions. |
| Marquee fortnight | Around 12,000 to 18,000 USD | A suite on a two week British Isles voyage, a six round package, attendance at The Open and the full slate of links. |
| Owner's suite | 20,000 USD and up | The top suites, private transfers ashore, caddies throughout and the prime departures on the flagship itineraries. |
Best time to book. The marquee British Isles and Open voyages sell out a year or more ahead, so book early for a specific cabin grade and round package. Mediterranean and Iberian sailings have wider autumn availability. Arrange single tee times for a pre or post cruise stay through our partners [TEE_TIME_AFFILIATE_LINK], or add hotel nights through [HOTEL_AFFILIATE_LINK]. For the full cruise package, send the brief below.
Send the brief
A concierge replies within one working day with a hand built, all in itinerary, priced to the head. No fee, no obligation.
Frequently asked
What is a golf cruise?
A golf cruise is a small ship voyage where the ports double as golf destinations. Guests sail between coastal cities and play marquee courses ashore on selected days, with tee times, transfers and caddies arranged, then return to the ship to sail overnight to the next region. Non golfing partners enjoy the ports and the ship while the group plays.
Which golf cruise itineraries are worth taking?
The standout is the British Isles voyage that pairs links such as Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie and Royal County Down with attendance at The Open, which in 2026 is the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale. Other strong itineraries include Scottish Links and Islands, the Mediterranean cities run from Rome to Barcelona, and Iberian and Adriatic coastal sailings.
How much does a golf cruise cost?
As a guide, indicative 2026 fares run from around 6,000 USD per person for an inside or balcony cabin on a week long sailing up to 20,000 USD and beyond per person for a suite on a marquee two week British Isles and Open voyage, typically including the cruise, several rounds with transfers and most meals. Fares move with cabin grade and demand, so always confirm directly before booking.
Do you have to be a strong golfer to take a golf cruise?
No. Golf cruises welcome all standards and most courses have forward tees. The golf is optional on each port day, so a mixed group of keen golfers and partners who prefer the sightseeing works well. Packages usually come in three or six round options so you can choose how much you play.
What happens to non golfers on a golf cruise?
Non golfers enjoy the ship, the spa and the shore excursions in each port while the group plays. The small ships used for golf cruises, often under seven hundred guests, call at city centers and harbors with plenty to see, so a non playing partner is never short of things to do.
The rounds worth traveling for.
Every other week we send new course openings, the trips our concierge is quietly building, and the booking windows worth moving on before everyone else.
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