Cruise Guide: Silversea, Seabourn unveil golf, insider tip programs

By Michael Coleman

Two of the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise lines – Silversea and Seabourn – are rolling out exclusive programs that will make the golf lover smile and the adventurer in all of us beam with contentment. 

Golf enthusiasts sailing on the 382-guest Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper can live and breathe the game every day of every voyage in 2006, thanks to the line’s onboard PGA-class golf professionals. In addition to organized shipboard activities, the line’s Silver Links 365 program offers optional golfing excursions, arranged and escorted by the ships’ golf pros, to some of the world’s most challenging and revered courses in all four corners of the globe. 

Seabourn, meanwhile, has teamed up with Conde Nast Traveler to provide the line’s guests with up-to-date information about what’s new, what’s hot and what’s hip in various ports of call, gathered exclusively from the pages of the magazine. 

  

Teeing it up 

Silversea’s escorted, optional golfing excursions vary in price from course to course but include transfers to and from the select golf courses, pull or power-drive carts, green and any applicable caddy fees. Should guests choose to leave their clubs at home, Nike clubs, shoes and golf essentials are available for rental, demo or purchase onboard each vessel. 

The onboard pros will offer a variety of activities both on and off each vessel. During days at sea, look for private instruction in 22′ x 10′ custom-built golf cages, complimentary clinics, demonstrations and putting contests suitable for all ranges, levels and abilities. 

Golfers also have the option to further improve their game by experiencing the latest V1 video-teaching technology. The digital component allows guests the opportunity to compare their swings to some of golf’s greatest legends and the hottest names on tour. 

The lessons also include a VHS video of the session with custom voice-over by the ship’s golf pro. 

  

Hot tips anyone? 

Seabourn’s innovative, complimentary service will be introduced in April, 2006, when the line’s three all-suite ships  Legend, Pride and Spirit  begin their European cruising season. 

Dubbed “Conde Nast Traveler’s Seabourn Insider Tips,” the service will provide what officials are calling “reliable intelligence” about attractions, suggested lunch spots, popular bars, unique experiences, shopping tips and more for those who wish to customize their own port activities through the ships’ onboard concierge. 

The initial editions will include information about 28 European ports of call including Barcelona, Spain; Istanbul, Turkey; The French Riviera; Capri, Rome and Venice, Italy; the Greek Isles of Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu; Stockholm, Sweden; Oslo, Norway; St. Petersburg, Russia and Copenhagen, Denmark. 

The program augments an impressive line-up of services already in place for guests, including Vintage Seabourn, a premium wines pre-purchase package; Seabourn to a Tea, an upgraded menu of rare estate teas; Seabourn’s Personal Shopper, a program which provides luxury cars and specialized shopping guides in various ports; global cell and satellite telephone rental services and the line’s personal valet luggage shipping service.