CRUISE Options abound, whether you're coming to play, or just want to watch televised events. Ask our Cruise Specialists to assist you with your cruise sports activities! Charting the Course for a Golf Cruise Holland America Line is expanding its onshore package offerings this year with a focus on the golfing enthusiast. The company now offers golf excursions on 10 islands throughout the Caribbean, featuring scenic championship courses designed by renowned golf course architects. Included among these prestigious offerings are the Carambola Golf Course (St. Croix), Sandals (St. Lucia), Mahogany Run (St. Thomas), Dorado del Mar (Puerto Rico), the Links at Safe Haven (Grand Cayman), Sandy Lane (Barbados), Royal (St. Kitts), Upton, (Jamaica) and the Martinique Country Club, (Martinique). NORWEGIAN
CRUISE LINE Norwegian Cruise Line was the originator of the seagoing sports bar, first introducing its Sports Bar & Grill aboard the Dreamward and Windward (now Norwegian Dream and Norwegian Wind). The line shows ESPN International fleetwide, and is in the process of expanding its original sports bars from 95 seats to 203 as part of its"Freestyle" dining program. As its name would suggest, the Sports Bar & Grill on these ships does double-duty as a dining venue serving buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other NCL ships, like the Norwegian Sky and the Norwegian Sun, have dedicated sports bars that serve snacks, such as nachos and popcorn, while the new Norwegian Star has a British-style pub equipped with multiple televisions. On its its older ships like the Norwegian Majesty and Norwegian Sea, either the observation lounge or piano bar functions as a sports bar. When there's a really big game like the Super Bowl, the event will be aired in one of the larger public lounges like the main showroom so that everybody has a seat and they have the bar staff available for drinks and serve hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. The Norway has no such problem, as the classic liner's Sports Cafe seats 330 amid big-screen and small-screen TVs. Due to its central location along the enclosed promenade, the cafe also functions as the venue for afternoon snacks and nighttime parties. PRINCESS
CRUISES The decor of any given sports bar often reflects the personality of the ship and her designers. Princess Cruises has the most traditional sports bars, brimming with wood, brass and, of course, sporting memorabilia. Snookers, for example, sports real, autographed jerseys from the likes of Dan Marino, Troy Aikman and Michael Jordan, displayed amid a rock & roll atmosphere and plenty of TVs - plus, there's a good view of the 'tube' from every seat in the house. Dedicated sports bars are found aboard the Grand Princess, Golden Princess and Star Princess. Even Princess ships without sports bars have ESPN and TNT piped into the cabin TVs, so no fan will miss out on the action. CELEBRITY
CRUISES Celebrity Cruises' sports bar on the Millennium is far more avant gard... aptly named 'Extreme'. It's awash in primary hues - vibrating blues, yellows and reds - as if some abstract painter were responsible for the color scheme. In fact, the only indication that it's a sports bar comes from the TVs mounted around the room. The decor fits, though, with the post-modern palette employed aboard Celebrity's Euro-inspired ships. ROYAL
CARIBBEAN Royal Caribbean International's sports bars take their cue more from Vegas than from Paris. Nestled between the main casino and the arcade, they put you in the middle of the action with a dazzling array of screens strategically facing every direction. These sporting extravaganzas can be found aboard Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and the Navigator of the Seas. A secondary sports-themed bar, the 19 Hole, can also be found on RCI's Voyager Class ships. This bar, located in the Viking Crown Lounge, takes its name from the nearby miniature golf course and computerized golf simulator. CARNIVAL Carnival Cruise Lines' dedicated sports bars found aboard its Destiny Class and Spirit Class ships celebrate the tradition of athletic competition, especially in the international arena. Of special note are the sports bars on the Carnival Triumph and Carnival Victory. The Olympic Sports Bar on the Carnival Triumph honors the modern-day games with its decor, from posters on the walls to event tickets lacquered onto the table tops. Even the seat cushions have an Olympic-oriented look, patterned after the black and white motif of a soccer ball. On the other hand, the Aegean Bar on the Carnival Victory celebrates the historical roots of competitive sports, most notably in the murals of Greco-Roman wrestlers that grace the walls. Ships in Carnival's Fantasy Class, which includes eight vessels, from 1990s Fantasy through 1998's Paradise, were built before the sports-bar boom, but they still can provide a game-day fix on Promenade Deck where TVs have been installed in the bar located forward of the aft lounge, with seating for 92. Programming is the same as aboard the newer Carnival ships. HOLLAND
AMERICA Holland America Cruise Line has only one "true" lounge themed with sports memorabilia, the Sports Bar aboard the Amsterdam. On the line's other ships, from 1993's Statendam forward, sports programming is shown in the casino bar, which has either a big-screen TV or two smaller screens plugged into ESPN. DISNEY
CRUISE LINE Disney Cruise Line has, perhaps, the most unusual sports bars at sea, tucked inside a false funnel aboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. On Deck 11, the ESPN Skybox seats about 70 people and is modeled on a similar attraction at Disney's Boardwalk Resort in Orlando. Programming is extensive and includes a potpourri of telecasts from ESPN's domestic and international operations. As many as four events can be shown at a time - you may have a hard time deciding what to watch! Participant Sports - Especially GOLF! ROYAL
CARIBBEAN The official cruise line of the PGA tour and the Senior PGA Tour has a wide variety of golf activities on ship and ashore, not to mention its own golf tournament, the Royal Caribbean Classic held every year in Miami, the first stop on the Senior PGA Tour. Besides a golf center, Legend of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas have 18-hole miniature golf courses. The line's Golf Ahoy! program offers golf excursions throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexico, Hawaii and the South Pacific. Prices for the line's golf packages range from just $50 to nearly $200 per outing, depending on the destination. CELEBRITY
CRUISES Each ship has a computerized golf simulator. Onboard golf pros offer lessons for a fee and escort golfers on golf outings in the Caribbean and Bermuda for $100 to $160, per person. SILVERSEA
CRUISES This year's Silver Links golf program features 59 golf courses in 26 countries worldwide. You pay an extra fee starting at $995 per person, to participate but, typically, it includes golf outings to four or five courses on each itinerary, plus onboard parties for golfers and a Silver Links golf shirt. CRYSTAL
CRUISES Has a new "customized" golf program whereby you can arrange individual tee times through the concierge in various ports of call worldwide, including courses in Australia, Costa Rica, France and elsewhere. Crystal has a PGA pro on most sailings, who conducts complimentary golf classes. And, the ships have putting greens and driving cages where you can practice your swings. PRINCESS
CRUISES Currently has golf excursions on seven islands, including Antigua, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Martinique, Ocho Rios, St. Kitts and St. Thomas. These golf tours are sold aboard ship as part of the line's shore excursion program, from $69 to $155 per outing. HOLLAND
AMERICA LINE Has a Caribbean golf program featuring 10 courses on 10 different islands, which include St. Kitts, St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Barbados, Trinidad, Martinique, and Puerto Rico. Golf outings are arranged by the shore excursion manager on selected 7-, 10-, and 14-day Caribbean itineraries. Prices range from $90 to $170, per outing. CUNARD
LINE Claims to have "the most extensive array of golf programs afloat" on both its Cunard and Seabourn brands. The program comes in two varieties, Escorted Signature Golf Cruises and a Tailor-Made Golf Program. The Escorted Signature Golf Cruises are total golf packages which include the services of a golf pro on selected itineraries. The Tailor-Made Golf Program allows passengers on any sailing to pre-arrange individual golf outings at more than 175 ports of call. SEABOURN In addition to the above-mentioned programs of Cunard Line, the newly-christened Seabourn Sun, formerly the Royal Viking Sun, sails every cruise with a full-time qualified PGA teaching professional, and, since its retrofit, has a new Golf Club & Pro Shop which includes a computerized golf simulator, outdoor hitting bays and a professionally-designed putting green. REGENT
SEVEN SEAS CRUISES It isn't 18 holes, but the Seven Seas Mariner offers guests a chance to show off their swing in this driving cage. There is also a putting surface on board. (Guess it saves golf balls since driving them off the stern of the ship would literally be throwing money overboard!) Small,
Luxury Ships... REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES, SEABOURN, WINDSTAR CRUISE and SEADREAM YACHT CLUB have the greatest array of onboard watersports options. You can frolic in the waves just off their ships' sterns, as long as the seas are calm. With the ship at anchor, a platform is lowered from the stern, creating a fold-down marina for launching the ship's water sports equipment which may include jet skis, paddle boats, sailboats, wind surfers, kayaks, canoes, or maybe even an authentic Polynesian outrigger, depending on the ship. Large Ships... Have a choice of eight different private island experiences (see 'Private Islands & Sports' below). REGENT
SEVEN SEAS Has extended the concept to French Polynesia, where a private motu, or inlet, is reserved for Paul Gauguin passengers. NORWEGIAN
CARIBBEAN LINE Has a "Dive-In" program that teaches you to snorkel. Previous experience is not required. Instruction, all equipment and transportation to snorkeling sites at the ship's various ports of call, is included. (Other lines have similar programs.) PRINCESS
CRUISES Offers complete instruction where you can receive classroom training, practice your diving technique in the ship's swimming pools and take to the open sea for the final phase of your training. (Radisson offers similar programs aboard the Paul Gauguin during its weeklong cruises of Tahiti.) ROYAL
CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL Offers scuba certification aboard Voyager of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas. NCL and
WINDSTAR Have programs that introduce you to the scuba experience. (And some lines offer "open-water referral programs" that allow divers to begin their classroom and pool training at home, then complete certification when at sea.) PRINCESS
CRUISES The Grand Princess' sports bar is brimming with memorabilia such as real, autographed jerseys from the likes of Dan Marino, Troy Aikman and Michael Jordan. The bar has a woody atmosphere and plenty of TVs. NORWEGIAN
CRUISE LINE Our personal preference as a sports bar with NCL is the Outrigger Lounge aboard the Pride of Aloha. Other sports bars in the NCL fleet are aboard the Norwegian Dream, Norwegian Wind and Norwegian Sky. DISNEY
CRUISE LINE Found a unique spot for its sports bar - inside the forward funnel on Deck 11, where the ESPN Skybox seats about 70 people and can broadcast as many as four events at one time. Programming includes a potpourri of shows from ESPN's domestic and international telecasts. Also, aptly-named, is the "Wide World of Sports Deck" on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder where you can choose from basketball, paddle tennis, volleyball, badminton and table tennis. ROYAL
CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL On the new ships beginning with Voyager of the Seas, deck sports have 'climbed to new heights' with an in-line skating track and a rock-climbing wall attached to the back of the stack. (Voyager's design team toyed with the idea of a ski slope. That was ultimately nixed - but who knows what they'll think of next!) BACK TO 'SPECTATOR & DECK SPORTS' NORWEGIAN
CARIBBEAN LINE - GREAT STIRRUP CAY Has a little bit of everything that a private island has to offer. There's a postcard-perfect stretch of white sand beach for sun-bathing, a nearby boathouse that rents a wide variety of water sports equipment and there are paddle boats, sailboats, kayaks and more. Also, a food pavilion serves barbecue lunches of hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken and the like, while a calypso band belts out island rhythms, NCL staffers lead beach Olympics and passengers compete in the limbo and volleyball. ROYAL
CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL - COCO CAY Right next door to NCL's Great Stirrup Cay, 140 acres of tropical whimsy where passengers come ashore by tender, are greeted by a nine-foot bronze mermaid and snorkelers find a sunken airplane beneath the waves and a replica of Blackbeard's pirate ship. (Legend has it that pirate treasure is still buried somewhere on the island.) PRINCESS
CRUISES - PRINCESS CAYS With its bright red pavilions, white sand and emerald seas Princess Cays looks every bit the tropical paradise that cruise passengers expect. While it's not an island in its own right - it's really a stretch of beach on Eleuthera Island, one of the Bahamian Out Islands - it's definitely a private oasis. In addition to all the typical private island sun-and-fun diversions - watersports, sunning, shopping and beach games - it has a supervised playground for younger passengers. HOLLAND
AMERICA - HALF MOON CAY Has a decidedly ecological emphasis, with parts of the island designated a Wild Bird Reserve by the Bahamian National trust and nature trails that allow passengers to explore the indigenous flora and fauna. Staffers serve a delightful barbecue buffet, kids have their own program and there are designated shopping stalls and a bar, as well as a Bahamian-style chapel to allow couples to renew their vows in a garden-setting overlooking the sea. DISNEY
CRUISE LINE - CASTAWAY CAY Is the only private island where cruise ships can dock instead of tendering, so it's just a short walk down the gangway to a mile of white sand beach. Adults can head for the private beach cabanas for a pampering massage. Kids can help to excavate the "remains" of a beached whale. And families can hike or snorkel together. BACK TO 'PRIVATE ISLANDS & SPORTS' Charting the Course for a Golf
Cruise |
||
CRUISE LINE |
GOLF PROGRAM OR ARRANGEMENT |
GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS |
Carnival Cruise Lines |
Escorted programs on all ships |
Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda, Europe |
Celebrity Cruises |
Escorted programs |
British Isles, Caribbean, Europe, Med, Bermuda, U.S./Canada |
Costa Cruises |
Escorted programs on some ships |
Eastern & Western Caribbean |
Crystal Cruises |
"Par Excellence" escorted programs on all ships |
Worldwide |
Cunard Line |
Individual excursions |
Worldwide |
Disney Cruise Line |
Individual excursions |
Bahamas, Caribbean |
Holland America Line |
Escorted programs on some ships |
Caribbean, Mexican Riviera |
Norwegian Cruise Line |
Escorted programs |
Caribbean, Bermuda, Hawaii |
Princess Cruises |
Escorted programs |
Bermuda, Caribbean, Canada, Australia, New Zealand |
Regent Seven Seas Cruises |
Individual excursions |
Worldwide |
Royal Caribbean International |
Golf Ahoy! packages and |
Bermuda, Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii |
Seabourn Cruise Line |
Individual excursions |
British Isles Europe, Med, Caribbean, Asia, Canada |
Silversea Cruises |
Escorted programs |
Worldwide |
Windstar Cruises |
Individual excursions |
Europe, Med, Caribbean, Asia, South Pacific |
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