3 x Luxury Escorted Golf Cruises - Crystal Serenity
Lisbon to Portsmouth – 10 Nights – 12 to 22 June 2025
Portsmouth to Copenhagen – 8 Nights – 22 to 30 June 2025
Lisbon to Copenhagen – 18 Nights – 12 to 30 June 2025
Staterooms from AUD 6,370 pp twin share with minimum shipboard credit of USD 100 pp (+ Estimated Golf Supplement of EUR 200/350 per game)
Leading luxury golf cruise specialist, Trendsetter Travel Golf Tours, welcomes your joining us onboard the luxurious Crystal Serenity in 2025.
Crystal, a longtime favourite with many Australians, has been reborn and refurbished under the new ownership of Abercrombie & Kent in partnership with Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio (former owner of Silversea) and the changes are immediately noticeable. The ship marries the best of both brands with a reduced guest capacity from 980 to 740, a complete renovation of the bathrooms to standalone showers instead of shower over bath, enhanced and enlarged accommodation, a high staff to guest ratio, and 8 unique dining options, including the fabulous (and only) Nobu at sea. Readers will love that there is a large library/newspaper room.
Crystal now offers a great range of suite options from economical balcony and ocean view suites at 20 sqm to an expansive range of luxury balcony suites. These include new Aquamarine Suites (38 sqm), Sapphire Suites (50 sqm), Junior Penthouse (75 sqm) and more.
Often disadvantaged solo guests will appreciate the option of an Ocean View Suite, offering great value at under AUD 1,000 per room night. There are 14 such suites on Crystal Serenity and are only available to single travellers.
Of course, Crystal includes all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (some premium brands excluded), gratuities and unlimited wifi usage.
Trendsetter Travel Golf Tours is delighted to offer a comprehensive golf cruise of 18 nights from Lisbon to Copenhagen – alternatively, those with lesser time can select either the 10-night Lisbon to Portsmouth leg or the shorter 8-night Portsmouth to Copenhagen leg.
The cruise includes a golf programme of up to 12 golf courses, with 6 games on each of the two cruise sectors. Importantly, you can choose as much or as little golf as you prefer to play. We play the best golf courses available to us within 20-to-60-minutes’ drive of each port. Many of these courses rank in the top 10 courses of the countries we visit with some stunning golf courses scheduled for play in France, the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark.
Compliments of Trendsetter Travel and Crystal, a shipboard credit of USD 100 – 200 pp will apply, depending on the cruise chosen and whether the booking is a single or twin booking.
View the full cruise itinerary at: https://www.crystalcruises.com/cruises/none-cse-c18-250612?menu=itinerary
Adrienne Witteman and David Cooper are your tour hosts. We have golfed extensively throughout the world and have organised and hosted many successful golf cruises. Unlike many other golf tour operators, we deal directly with the relevant service providers. This enables us to provide competitively priced golf at the best available courses and with no reduction in quality. We price our golf programmes at approximate cost and thus the average cost of our golf games is priced at less than 50% of the level charged by our international competitors.
For those completing the cruise in Copenhagen, you are invited to join a 3-night post cruise extension which includes accommodation in a 5 star Copenhagen hotel and have the opportunity to play one or both of the Old and New Scandinavian Golf Courses (ranked # 2 and # 5 in Denmark) located at the number one golf complex in Denmark, the 36 hole Scandinavian Golf Club. The Old Course, played on a previous Trendsetter Golf Cruise tour, would rank as one of our 3 best golf experiences in Europe.
In addition to our golf cruises, Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre operates a retail travel agency on Sydney’s lower North Shore. We can book all your travel requirements, and as members of the Virtuoso network can offer an excellent choice of hotels – with attractive free benefits – to perfectly complement your luxury golf cruise. We invite you to join us for yet another exciting luxury golf cruise!
David Cooper
Adrienne Witteman
Itinerary
Day 1 – Thursday 12 June 2025 – Lisbon – Depart 7 PM
Arrive independently into Lisbon and board Crystal Serenity early afternoon. This evening, meet your fellow tour participants for a 6.30 pm early evening introductory cocktail function.
Pre-cruise we can offer and book a range of hotels in Lisbon. Trendsetter has access to several Virtuoso hotels which offer early check-in, late checkout and upgrade (all subject to availability), breakfast, and a USD 100 food and beverage credit.
Day 2 – Friday 13 June 2025 – Porto – Portugal – In Port 8 AM/7 PM - Golf – Game 1
We have a full shore day at Porto, the largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. For non-golfers, there is plenty to explore around the historic port area of Porto. Or you might elect to take one of the Crystal shore tours.
Golf Option – Game 1: – we drive north of Porto and play Estela Golf Club, a magnificent links course facing the Atlantic Ocean. It is the # 1 rated course in Northern Portugal and is considered one of the best links courses in all Portugal.
Day 3 – Saturday 14 June 2025 – Sea Day
Day 4 – Sunday 15 June 2025 – San Sebastian – Spain - in Port 8 AM/7 PM – Golf – Game 2
San Sebastian, also known as Donostia, is set in the Basque Country of northern Spain on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and is just 25 km from the Spain/France border. Its strategic location makes it a popular destination for tourists seeking a mix of stunning landscapes, cultural experiences, and culinary delights.
Golf Option – Game 2: – golf today involves a visit to the nearby José María Olazábal designed Real Nuevo Club Golf De San Sebastián Basozabal. With 11 hours in port, there should be time to both golf and have a look around the port town of San Sebastian.
Day 5 – Monday 16 June 2025 – Bordeaux – France – in Port 11.45 am – Golf - Game 3
After a scenic journey of of 100 km from the mouth of the Gironde River, we berth at 11.45 am in the heart of Bordeaux. Bordeaux, once France’s richest community and largest port, is now second only to Paris in terms of size. It is most famous however for its delicious cuisine and wines, particularly from the well-known wine areas of the Medoc and Saint Emilion. Crystal Serenity berths a short walk of the historic downtown district of Bordeaux.
Golf Option – Game 3: – We usually play one of the two excellent golf courses located at Golf du Medoc when our golf tours visit Bordeaux. However, Golf du Medoc will core its greens in June and neither course will be in good condition. Accordingly, we will play Golf d’Arcahon, a highly regarded course located near the Atlantic coast.
Days 6 – Tuesday 17 June 2025 Bordeaux – France – In Port All Day – Golf - Game 4
Golf Option – Game 4: – Today drive 60 km through the wine growing areas of Bordeaux to play the Tom Doak designed Golfique du Grand Saint-Emilionnais (2015). While Doak is famous for his design of many great courses including Barnbougle Dunes, Pacific Dunes (Oregon) and Cape Kidnappers, this is his first design in Europe. Since opening, it has been rated one of the top 10 courses in France. A highlight on the return journey, will be a stop at the famous and historic town of Saint-Emilion for an hour or two. This will allow time to explore independently, to perhaps savour some of the local wines or enjoy a late lunch at one of the many outdoor restaurants. Our early evening return to Crystal Serenity will similarly allow time to enjoy Bordeaux by night.
Day 7 – Wednesday 18 June 2025 – Bordeaux – France – Depart 1 PM
Our departure from Bordeaux is necessarily guided by the tides and Serenity is scheduled to leave early afternoon. As we cruise some 100km along the river to the Adriatic, past beautiful vineyards and distant towns, you’ll enjoy the onboard commentary from the bridge.
Day 8 – Thursday 19 June 2025 – Sea Day
Day 9 – Friday 20 June 2025 – St Malo – France – In Port 6.45 AM/5 PM – Golf - Game 5
We tender into St Malo from Crystal Serenity at anchor in a very sheltered harbour. St Malo’s old town, with its fortified walls and located but a few hundred metres walk from the ship’s tender wharf, is famous for its charm. We anticipate time for the golfers to explore the town, on our afternoon return from golf.
Golf Option – Game 5: – we play St Malo Golf Resort, in our opinion the best of the many golf courses near St Malo. It is a beautiful park land course usually in very good condition offering both a pleasant and challenging layout. Post your golf game, there is an attractive restaurant/bar offering extensive inside and outside seating areas
Day 10 – Saturday 21 June 2025 – Plymouth – England – In Port 8.00 AM/6 PM – Golf – Game 6
Located in southwest England, Plymouth is a coastal town known for its maritime attractions. It is home of the famous gin brand, and should you fancy a tipple, we suggest you join one of the distillery tours.
Golf Option – Game 6: – We will drive less than 30 minutes to play the local Elfordleigh Golf Club which has come highly recommended by the locals.
Day 11 – Sunday 22 June 2025 – Portsmouth – England - In Port 7 AM
We will berth early morning in Portsmouth where those sailing only on the 10 night Lisbon to Portsmouth leg of the cruise will disembark.
It would be difficult to find a port with more significant naval heritage than Portsmouth. We recommend a tour of Nelson’s flagship in the Battle of Trafalgar, HMS Victory, as well as Henry VII’s Tudor warship, Mary Rose, and the world’s first iron hulled armoured ship, HMS Warrior. Portsmouth is also famous as the birthplace of author Charles Dickens, and comedian Peter Sellers. The James Bond epic, Tomorrow Never Dies, was filmed here.
At this stage, we have not scheduled a golf game in Portsmouth but this status could change depending upon the number of golfers on the cruise.
Day 12 – Monday 23 June 2025 – Zeebrugge – Belgium - In Port 8 AM/6 PM – Golf – Game 7
We have a long port day in Zeebrugge, a port made famous by the large and mostly successful British raid on the port defences in 1918. Today it is more famous for being only 10 km from the historic town of Bruges.
Golf Option – Game 7: – those not electing to visit Bruges, will play Royal Zoute Golf Club located less than 15 minutes’ drive from the port of Zeebrugge. Rated # 1 in Belgium, it was designed by Harry Colt in the early 1900s and obtained its “Royal” status in the mid-1920s. This seaside links layout has hosted many Belgium Open professional championships.
Day 13 – Tuesday 24 June 2025 – Ijmuiden (Port of Amsterdam) - In Port 8 AM (Over-Night) – Golf – Game 8
We berth this morning at Ijmuiden (Port of Amsterdam), located 27 km from Amsterdam. This is an ideal location for golfers as it makes access to the many great links golf courses of the Netherlands so much easier. While not generally known, the Netherlands has over 250 golf courses and comprises many of the best golf courses in Europe. In fact, 2 of Europe’s top 3 golf courses are in the Netherlands. Many of the leading golf courses were built by Harry Colt and his associates in the 1920s and 1930s – some of these courses rival the best coastal links layouts in Great Britain and Ireland.
For those not golfing, there are two long shore days to explore Amsterdam, a unique historic city built around its many waterways.
Golf Option – Game 8: – we are scheduled to play Kennemer Golf & Country Club, an easy 25-minute drive south. It is ranked in the top 3 courses in Netherlands and the top 15 in Europe. Kennemer was laid out through towering sand hills by Harry Colt, of Pine Valley fame, in 1927 and is considered one of his best ever designs. The course comprises 27 holes made up of 3 x excellent 9 hole sections which we found difficult to rank one 9 better than any of the other 9 holes. History abounds with Olazabal winning the Dutch Open here in 1989 and Ballesteros winning his 1st pro event at Kennemer back in 1976. The club is friendly with elegant thatched roof club rooms and a large balcony with stunning golf course views, perfect for post golf drinks.
Day 14 – Wednesday 25 June 2025 – Amsterdam – Depart 5 PM – Golf – Game 9
Golf Option – Game 9: – today we will play Koninklijke Haagsche, the # 1 ranked golf course in the Netherlands and the # 2 course in Europe. Designed by the great firm of Colt, Alison and Morrison (Alison was the main architect), it opened in 1939 (just 1 year prior to invasion by Germany in May 1940). It is quite definitely one of the great links courses you will ever play. Note the fantastic club rooms looking down on the 18th green.
Day 15 – Thursday 26 June 2025 – Sea Day
Day 16 – Friday 27 June 2025- Stavanger – Norway - In Port 8 AM/7 PM – Golf – Game 10
We berth today in Stavanger, the 4th largest city in Norway but with a population of less than 150,000. The city’s growth is linked to the offshore oil industry and is known as the oil capital of Norway.
Golf Option – Game 10: – we play on Norway’s 8th ranked course (there are over 150 golf courses in Norway), Stavanger Golf Club. Founded in 1956, the course has been a venue for the Norway Open and many other national championships.
Day 17 – Saturday 28 June 2025 – Kristiansand – Norway - In Port 8 AM/6 PM – Golf – Game 11
Kristiansand is Norway’s 5th largest city (population 110,000) and is located near the southern tip of Norway. It is renowned as a summer holiday destination with over 900,000 tourists each year.
Golf Option – Game 11: – Today we have a short transfer to play the Robert Trent Jones Jnr designed Bjaavann Golf Club (2003). Consistently ranked in the top 10 golf courses in Norway, the course is renowned for its beauty and will offer an excellent challenge. Having previously played many of the great Norwegian golf course, this is our personal favourite.
Day 18 – Sunday 29 June 2025 – Aarhus – Denmark - In Port 9 AM/7 PM – Golf – Game 12
Crystal Serenity berths today in the historic Danish port city of Aarhus, the largest city in Denmark after Copenhagen. The many Danish golfers now appearing on leader boards in the European PGA tour events gives more than a hint that golf is a flourishing sport in Denmark. With over 190 golf course this is indeed true and many of Europe’s best golf courses are now found in Demark.
Golf Option – Game 12: – the golfers will drive less than 45 minutes to play Lubker Golf Club, a 27 hole layout designed by the Robert Trent Jones team. It ranks # 3 in Denmark.
Day 19 – Monday 30 June 2025 – Copenhagen – Denmark - In Port 8 AM
Disembark this morning from Crystal Serenity.
However, your golf touring experience need not end today as in June/July 2024 we will release a 3 night post cruise extension to include 3 nights’ accommodation in a 5 star Copenhagen hotel and the opportunity to play one of or both the Old and New Scandinavian Golf Courses (ranked # 2 and # 5 in Denmark). These are located at the number one golf complex in Denmark, the 36 hole Scandinavian Golf Club www.thescandinavian.dk . The two courses are “imaginatively” named Old Course (2010) and New Course (2014). The origins of the two golf courses go back to 2002 when the founders of a software company (Navison) sold their business to Microsoft, following which they then diverted some of their wealth to building the premier golfing facility in Denmark. Both courses were built by the Robert Trent Jones Junior design team and are spectacular. The Old Course ranks in the best 5 golf courses we have played anywhere in the world.
The Finer Details...
Inclusions, pricing and various conditions of this escorted golf cruise are:
Points to Note on Room Category
- The above prices are correct as at 12 February 2024 with prices varying between the web page fare and a 20% discount for pre-paid, non-refundable cruise fares. There is also the option of a 10% fully pre-paid (but refundable) cruise fare. The standard fare with no discount requires a 25% deposit with balance payable 120 days prior. If cancel outside of 120 days, full refund of deposit less an administration fee of AUD 125 pp. For non-refundable pre-paid cruise fares, if cancel outside 180 days, the cruise fare paid is converted to a future cruise credit. Our recommendation is to purchase the 10% discounted pre-paid cruise fare option with ability to cancel up until 120 days prior to sailing and to be in a position to switch cruise fares if Crystal introduces a better offer.
- All rooms include butler service, complimentary wifi, walk in shower, 24 hour in-suite dining, meals on ship, all standard drinks, nightly entertainment and in-room safe.
- All the Ocean View Suites are located on Deck 7. The 14 Ocean View Suites at front of ship are only available for singles and usually sell fast. The single pricing is exceptional for this category of Suite.
- The Acquamarine Suites are offered in two physical alternatives – Classic (separate shower and bath) or the redesigned 2018 (large shower only) – these are located on Decks 9/10/11
- The Sapphire Suites are a new size suite category which we are unaware existing in any of the other small luxury cruise lines. There are 140 Sapphire suites on the ship located on Decks 8/9/10 and are extremely spacious at 40 sqm + 10 sqm balcony.
- All Veranda, Acquamarine and Sapphire suites are offered on two pricing bases – either Forward or Aft/Middle – Forward Suites are attractively priced approximately 13 % less than Aft/Middle Suites.
- For Singles, the single supplement for all categories other than Ocean View sees an approximate 170% single supplement over the twin share per person cruise fare. However, the 14 x Ocean View suites at the front of deck 7 are designated as Single Only and have a Single Supplement at a modest 110% of the twin share per person fare. These are very popular and are generally the 1st suite category to sell out.
- The Junior Penthouse suites offer included laundry/pressing dry cleaning – unlimited specialty dining and included to and from ship transfers up to 80 km on dates of embarkation and disembarkation. There are only 6 Junior Penthouse suites – located on Decks 8/9. They are large at 60 sqm with a 15 sqm balcony.
- For past Crystal guests (including those who travelled with Crystal under the pre covid ownership), a 5% discount applies to your cruise fare.
- For Specialty Restaurants Umi Uma and Osteria, all guests on cruises up to 11 nights are entitled to book once at these restaurants on a complimentary basis. For guests on the 18 night golf cruise, they are entitled to 2 bookings at each of the restaurants. If guests wish to book more times than their entitlement, there is a cover charge of $50 USD per person. Guests in the Junior Penthouse and Penthouse suites receive unlimited dining in both Umi and Osteria and unlimited room service from both restaurants.
- As a result of being part of the Trendsetter Travel Golf Group Booking, there are ship board credits available between USD 100 pp and USD 200 pp depending upon which of the 3 x cruise options you elect to sail on.
Golf Programme
- You may elect to play anywhere from 1 to the maximum number of games on offer for each of the 3 cruise options. The cost of Individual golf games is expected to range between EUR 200 and EUR 350 pp (but most will approximate EUR 250 pp) – with golf day pricing approximating the cost to Trendsetter Travel to organise. The golf charge includes coach transfers, green fees, share motorised cart, drinks post golf and prize money. Providing motorised carts are not deemed compulsory (as would occur if a multi tee start), you may elect to walk some of the golf courses.
- Golf club hire is NOT included however we can arrange to hire clubs at all courses.
- While the golf package is calculated in Euro, it is payable in AUD at a rate better than the best available quoted A$/Euro by a major bank calculated on a date approximately 120 days prior to cruise departure. Upon request, a golf programme deposit of AUD 1,000 pp is required at the time of booking.
- Trendsetter has booked the courses as specified but cannot be held responsible for any late amendments or cancellations caused by events outside of its control e.g. late arrival at or cancellation of a port due to weather conditions, storms or heavy rain necessitating cancellation of play after a round has started. If such an event occurs Trendsetter will do its best to organise an alternative course or obtain a partial or full refund as practicable. Please note that a full refund is NOT GUARANTEED as it may not be possible to cancel/amend contracted services, such as coach transport, within the requisite time frame.
- Once the tour has commenced, should a tour participant choose not to play a particular golf course which has been prepaid, Trendsetter will refund an amount equivalent to the saving Trendsetter achieves for the non-attendance at golf that day.
- Trendsetter may also change the nominated golf course if it believes it is in the best interests of the tour (e.g. if course conditioning is found to not be of an acceptable standard due to course maintenance works or a better golf course becomes available). You will be advised in advance should such a change occur.
- Payment of your golf programme constitutes acceptance of the above terms.
COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL INSURANCE, INCLUDING COVERAGE OF PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS, IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
For more information please contact David Cooper:
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