The Italian company offers a truly unique formula that allows to play in some of the most beautiful golf clubs in the Mediterranean and the Arab Emirates, while enjoying the comfort of a cruise on the most innovative ships in the fleet.

Costa Cruises, Official Cruise Line of the Ryder Cup 2023 and Official Supplier of the Italian Golf Federation, brings the passion for golf also on holiday 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 for Costa Smeralda’s Mediterranean cruises, but also for Costa Toscana’s itineraries in the Arabian Gulf. Golf lovers will thus have the opportunity to play in some of the most beautiful golf clubs in Italy, France and Spain (with Costa Smeralda), or in the Arab Emirates and Oman (with Costa Toscana), during calls in the destinations included in the cruise itinerary. Each day golfers can plat in a different camp, with maximum comfort and convenience, while families on holiday can enjoy the services on board or explore wonderful locations, thanks to the excursions organised by the company. This type of experience is also perfect for small groups of golfers to play together in clubs and share their passion.

To take advantage of the offer, guests can buy a Costa Smeralda cruise in the Mediterranean or a Costa Toscana cruise in the Arab Emirates and Oman on Costa website or in a travel agency, and then add to the booking the golf package, which includes three or four ‘Green Fees’ to access the golf clubs included in the offer.

The new selection of golf clubs for Costa Toscana’s winter 2022/23 cruises is exclusive, with the added advantage of being able to play at night, thanks to the long calls on the ship’s itinerary. In Dubai, it’s possible to choose the Emirates Golf Club, home to the annual Dubai Desert Classic, an 18-hole course that measures 6,676 metres and winds its way through hundreds of species of indigenous flora and fauna, seven lakes and a spectacular view of the Dubai skyline; or “The Els Club”, designed by US Open and Open Championship winner Ernie Els, home to the Asian Tour. In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, one of the best 27-hole golf courses in the world and home to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship for 16 consecutive years, and the Yas Links Golf Club, which hosted the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in 2022. In Muscat (Oman), the Almouj Golf Club, designed by Greg Norman and home of the Oman Open, which stands out for its incredible location facing the Indian Ocean, with the Hajar Mountains in the background; and the Ghala Golf Club, Oman’s oldest and most renowned 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 Smeralda are the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the official home 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 Golf Club Garlenda, surrounded by ancient olive groves and pine forests in the enchanting scenery of the western Ligurian Riviera; the Golf Club Genova Sant’Anna, which has hosted two Italian Double Professional 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, for 10 times, has hosted the Spanish Golf Open; the Club de Golf Terramar Sitges, one of the oldest golf clubs in Spain, located 20 metres from the sea; the Son Gual Golf in Palma de Mallorca, one of the best golf clubs in Continental Europe; the T-Golf Calvia, one of the oldest, best-rated and most popular courses on the island of Majorca; the Golf Bastide de la Salette, with spectacular views of the Garlaban mountain range and Marseille; the Golf Sainte Baume, with an 18-hole course that blends in with pines, aromatic plants and oaks.

Additional golf clubs are also available for groups, such as the Argentario Golf Club, designed by architect David Mezzacane and professional golfer Baldovino Dassù, symbol of Italian golf in the world; the ‘Golf Nazionale’, the technical centre of the Italian Golf Federation; the ‘PGA de Catalunya’, ranked number 1 among golf clubs in Spain and among the top four in Europe; the ‘Son Vida’, the oldest and most prestigious club in Mallorca, a legend among players from all over Europe, twice host to the European Tour (in 1990 and 1994). The last hole of the par 5, with a second shot over water, is the favourite of the most intrepid golfers.

Costa Cruises “Cruise & Golf” formula allows to enjoy a true “easy golf” experience, with no worries. In fact, in addition to the Green Fees, the formula includes a series of special services to enjoy the golf and cruise experience to the fullest. For example, dedicated transfer from the ship to the golf club and back, priority embarkation and disembarkation every day, customised transport and storage on board of golf equipment, baggy, welcome kit in the cabin, reserved area in the restaurant. In addition, there is a special offer dedicated to golfers and their families to enjoy the exceptional variety of restaurants available on the Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana – including the Archipelago restaurant, which offers menus created for Costa by three great chefs, Bruno Barbieri, Hélène Darroze and Ángel León – and to try a range of selected treatments and services in the ‘Solemio’ spa and beauty salon on board.

From autumn 2022 and throughout 2023, Costa Smeralda offers one-week itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, visiting Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca (Ibiza in summer), Palermo, Civitavecchia/Rome. In winter 2022/23, Costa Toscana offers a one-week itinerary in the Arab Emirates and Oman, available with the “flight+cruise” package, which includes long, two-day, one- night stops in Dubai, Muscat and Abu Dhabi.