Lisbon to Barcelona – 9 Nights – 13 to 22 September 2027
Barcelona to Rome – 9 Nights – 22 September to 1 October 2027
Lisbon to Rome – 18 Nights – 13 September to 1 October 2027
Staterooms from AUD 9.100 pp (9 nights) and AUD 17,400 pp (18 nights) twin share with minimum shipboard credit of USD 125 pp for 18 night cruise (+ Estimated Golf Supplement of EUR 225/400 per game)
Leading luxury golf cruise specialist, Trendsetter Travel Golf Tours (TTGT), welcomes your joining us on-board the luxurious Crystal Symphony in September 2027.
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 around 900 to a current maximum of 606 guests, 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 4 unique evening dining options (in addition to room service and various café style restaurants), including the fabulous (and only) Nobu at sea. Readers will love that there is a large library.
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 with a modest single supplement of 36%.
Crystal includes all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (some premium brands excluded), all restaurants (with limits on dining opportunities at 2 of the restaurants) gratuities and unlimited wifi usage.
Trendsetter Travel Golf Tours is delighted to offer a comprehensive golf cruise of 18 nights from Lisbon to Rome – alternatively, those with lesser time can select either the 9-night Lisbon to Barcelona leg or the 9-night Barcelona to Rome 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. A number of these courses rank in the top 10 courses of the countries we visit with some stunning golf courses scheduled for play.
For new guests to Crystal, a 5% discount on cruise fares is available – with a further 5% discount available to you (on a future cruise) if you introduce any of your friends to this Crystal cruise . Repeat guests receive a 2.5% discount. Cruise fares on all 3 x cruises are eligible to a 10% discount (with standard cancellation provisions) if prepaid at the time of booking – referred to as Explorer Fares.
A shipboard credit of USD 100 – 200 pp should apply, depending on the cruise chosen and whether the booking is a single or twin booking.
Crystal Web Page Links
The Crystal web page links for the 3 x cruises can be found as follows:
18 Nights Lisbon to Rome (13 Sept to 1 Oct 2027) – https://www.crystalcruises.com/cruises/none-csy-c18-270913?menu=itinerary
9 Nights Lisbon to Barcelona (13 to 22 Sept 2027) – https://www.crystalcruises.com/cruises/none-csy-009-270913
9 Nights Barcelona to Rome – (22 Sept to 1 Oct 2027) – https://www.crystalcruises.com/cruises/none-csy-009-270922?menu=itinerary
Adrienne Witteman and David Cooper are your tour hosts. They have golfed extensively throughout the world and have organised and hosted over 50 combined golf cruises and golf land tours. Unlike many other golf tour operators, TTGT deals directly with the relevant service providers. This enables TTGT 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.
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!
Itinerary
Day 1 – Monday 13 September 2027 – Lisbon – Depart early evening
Arrive independently into Lisbon and board Crystal Symphony early afternoon. This evening, meet your fellow tour participants for a 6.30 pm early evening introductory cocktail function.
Pre-cruise, Trendsetter 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. While not guaranteed, it is likely that Trendsetter will offer a group pre tour golf option in Portugal.
Day 2 – Tuesday 14 September 2027 – Portimao – Portugal – In Port 8 am to 5 pm - Golf – Game 1
An overnight voyage sees us greeting the dawn at Portimao, a major port city in the Algarve area of Portugal. The area is famous for its wonderful climate, great beaches and many leading golf courses.
Golf Option – Game 1: – Crystal Symphony anchors a short distance offshore and we tender into Portimao. After loading our coach, we travel 25 minutes to the 36 hole Amendoeira Golf Resort and play the Faldo designed Oceanico course – traditionally rated in the top 10 in Portugal.
Day 3 – Wednesday 15 September 2027 – Tangier – In Port 8 am to 6 pm – Golf - Game 2
After a short over-night cruise, we berth early morning in the major port of Tangier. While an evocative name, with our past cruise visits to Tangier, guests have been luke warm to local touring options including independent exploring of Tangier. With a great new golf course having been opened post Covid near Tangier, this is definitely a day for golf.
Golf – Game 2: today we travel 40 minutes a play Houara Golf Club. Houara Golf Club was designed by Graham Marsh and on site management has significantly improved with management now handled by Troon Golf. It is the premier golf club in Tangier and reasonably priced given its high international ranking. It is ranked # 2 in Morocco and # 5 in Africa, indicating the strength of the golf course. We first played the course in October 2023 and were impressed with the expansive fairways, challenging green complexes and fantastic conditioning. The course is connected to the adjacent Hilton Resort, both recently developed with apparent unlimited Qatari development funds. In 2023, we had post round drinks at the Hilton Hotel but we are promised that clubrooms should have been built by 2027.
A highlight of visiting Houara is the stunning costal drive from the port to the golf course as the road closely follows the coast and drives past one the King’s palaces.
Day 4 – Thursday 16 September 2027 – Melilla – Spain - In Port 7 am to 5 pm
Most will have not previously visited Melilla. While part of Spain, Mellia is an automonous city and comprises a total area of less than 12.5 square km. The city is bounded by Morocco. With no golf scheduled for today given the limited golf options, we encourage you to independently explore this historic city and the associated fortress or consider one of the Crystal shore excursions.
Day 5 – Friday 17 September 2027 – Sea Day
Days 6 – Saturday 18 September 2027 – Tunis – Tunisia – In Port – 8 am to 6 pm - Golf - Game 3
Crystal Symphony berths today at La Goulette, the port of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Tunisia was for many years a French colony and only gained its independence in 1956. However, the history of Tunis and its surrounding areas goes back many millenia. The city is famous in the 20th century as it was where the Germany Army surrendered to the Allied forces in May 1943, permanently ending its presence in North Africa. This was a huge defeat for the Nazi regime with over 100,000 German soldiers moving into captivity. In recent times, Tunis and its surrounding areas have become the location for many tourist resorts and significantly many great golf courses have been developed.
Golf Option – Game 3: – Out of 10 golf courses in Tunisia, we have chosen to play The Residence Golf Club, a links style golf course. Apart from being generally rated # 1 in Tunisia, the course is also the closest to the port at less than 25 minutes. Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, The Residence has received some excellent recent reviews in terms of both layout and general conditioning.
Day 7 – Sunday 19 September 2027 – Cagliari – Sardinia (Italy) – In Port 8 am to 5 pm - Golf - Game 4
Today, our ship berths in the port of Cagliari, on the south coast of Sardinia. Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia. Sardinia, with a population of around 1 million, has 12 golf courses and is famous as a resort island and for its golf courses.
Golf Option – Game 4: Today we transfer less than 40 minutes to the leading golf complex in southern Sardinia, La Molas Golf Club (1975). Over the years, the course has hosted many European Tour events including the Italian Open on 4 x occasions. The course is regularly ranked within the top 3 golf courses in Sardinia.
Day 8 – Monday 20 September 2027 – Porto Mahon – in Port 9 am to 5 pm - Golf - Game 5
Today Crystal Symphony berths in Porto Mahon on the island of Menorca, one of the small islands comprising Spain’s Balearic Islands. This island is low-key relative to its more famous island neighbours, Mallorca and Ibiza.
Golf – Game 5: Today the golfers have a short coach transfer to Golf Son Parc Menorca, the island’s only 18-hole golf course.
Day 9 – Tuesday 21 September 2027 – Valencia – Spain – In Port 8.00 am to 5 pm – Golf - Game 6
We have a full port day scheduled in Valencia, Spain’s 3rd largest city with a total urban population of circa 1.5 million and famously was the last major city to fall to Franco’s nationalist forces in the civil war of 1936 to 1939. If you choose to not golf (or for non-golf partners), there is much to see in and around Valencia regardless whether you self-explore the city or take a Crystal shore tour.
Golf Option – Game 6: we will play El Saler Golf Course – ranked the # 1 course in south east Spain, # 2 in Spain and # 5 in Europe – a less than 30 minute drive. When opened in 1968, many considered it then the best course in Europe.
Day 10 – Wednesday 22 September 2027 – Barcelona – In Port 7 am to 6 pm
Barcelona is a fantastic Spanish city, the capital of the Catalan Region and from time to time the region has pushed for its independence. The city combines historic with modern and it is an easy walk from where your ship is berthed and you can immediately wander the lanes of the old city.
Barcelona has a number of handy great golf courses, including the 54 hole Greg Norman design at El Prat. Depending upon demand, we may include a golf game in Barcelona. However, it is noted that today is a change over day with those guests only on the initial 9 night cruise from Lisbon disembarking in Barcelona – whereas the 2nd 9 night leg from Barcelona to Rome commences.
Day 11 – Thursday 23 September 2027 – Palamos – Spain In Port 8 am to 7 pm Golf – Game 7
We will berth early morning in Palamos, a port located mid way between Barcelona and the French border. Non golfers may wish to take a ship’s tour to Figueres and visit the large Salvador Dali art gallery – a real experience. An hour north of Palamos by road, Figueres is where Dali lived and died and the museum is believed to be the largest exhibition of surrealist art in the world.
Golf Option – Game 7: Our golf group is in for a treat as we will travel 45 minutes inland and play the Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya, regularly rated # 1 in Spain and in the top # 10 in Europe. The course was built by the European Tour in 1998 and was intended to rival the PGA Tour’s Sawgrass course. The course has held numerous European Tour events and was the course which Spain has regularly proposed in its recent bids (all unsuccessful) to hold the Ryder Cup.
Day 12 – Friday 24 September 2027 – Sea Day
Day 13 – Saturday 25 September 2027 – Cannes – France – In Port 8 am to 6 pm – Golf Game 8
Crystal Symphony will anchor off the coast of Cannes and after your tender to shore, you will be in the heart of Cannes, a fascinating city to self explore.
Golf Option – Game 8: – Today we travel north to Terre Blanche, the high end 36 x hole golf resort. We expect to play the Chateau Course, ranked # 8 in all France. However, the Riou Course, the 2nd 18 hole course is of an equally high standard and is also a pleasure to play and is common priced. We always receive exceptional hospitality at Terre Blanche on all our previous visits.
Day 14 – Sunday 26 September 2027 – Monte Carlo – In Port 7 am to 7 pm Golf – Game 9
Golf Option – Game 10: – today we will play De Lage Vuursche, designed by Kyle Phillips and ranked top 10 in Netherlands, a country with over 250 golf courses. This is a challenging golf course with plenty of water hazards.
In 1297, the Grimaldi Family seized this once fortified town and apart from a short time under the rule of Napoleon, has ruled this Principality ever since. The Principality of Monaco, at less than 500 acres, is smaller than New York’s Central Park and is home to many of the rich and famous, who are attracted, in part, by an absence of income tax. Monaco’s wealth is generated through tourism and its famous casinos, being most famous for the Monte Carlo Grand Prix. Of course, it became very prominent post-WWII with the marriage of Hollywood’s Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier, the then ruler of Monaco. Our ship should berth a short walk from the heart of down-town Monte Carlo and the streets which become a Grand Prix circuit in May each year.
Golf – Game 9 – we are scheduled to play Golf de Cannes Mougins (1923), one of the leading private golf clubs in the South of France. Over the years, the course has been the venue for many events on the European Tour and past winners include Greg Norman in 1983. The course was extensively renovated in 2015 and now ranks in the top 40 golf courses in France (to place in context, there are over 800 golf courses in France, exceeding the number in Scotland by 25%). Independent reviews speak positively to its fantastic setting in the foothills around Cannes with slick greens and well maintained fairways.
With our long day in port, there should be time to both golf and enjoy an evening walk, or a flutter at the famous Casino if that is your preference (dress standards apply).
Day 15 – Monday 27 September 2027 – La Spezia – Italy – In Port 7 am to 9 pm
Situated between Genoa and Pisa on the Ligurian Sea, La Spezia is ideally positioned for day trips, most notably to the villages of the Cinque Terre. Clinging to the rugged coast that unfurls west of La Spezia, the villages and hillsides of this section of the Italian Riviera are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and reputed to be some of the most picturesque destinations of Italy, if not in the world.
Golf Option – Game 10: – Golf today involves a 40 minute scenic drive south of La Spezia to play Forte dei Marmi Golf Club. Notwithstanding that it is the only 18 hole golf course within an acceptable drive of La Spezia, all reviews sighted provided a positive view on the golf course.
Day 16 – Tuesday 28 September 2027 – Livorno – Italy – In Port from 8 am (Overnight) – Golf – Game 11
Livorno is the port for Florence, a city that needs no introduction. The myriad touring options here include famous galleries and luxury boutiques, treasured sites such as the Duomo (why not climb to the top of the cupola for a truly scenic view?) and plenty of restaurants serving traditional Florentine cuisine. You could also choose to travel further afield to one of the Tuscan hilltop towns such as Lucca. Every tourist option is an approximate 60 to 90 minutes plus drive from the port city of Livorno (Florence is over 90 minutes). Travel to the golf games is somewhat shorter timewise at around 60 minutes (max). Livorno is an ordinary port town and is not considered worth the effort to independently explore.
Golf Option – Game 11: – we play on Arnold Palmer designed Golf Club Le Pavoniere, an approximate 1 hour drive from Livorno and having been played twice on previous Trendsetter golf cruises. This is a great layout with water coming into play on many holes and will be a challenge to beat your handicap and is considered a good option for those that have visited Florence previously and do not want to undertake the 90 minute plus coach transfer each way.
Day 17 – Wednesday 29 September 2027 – Livorno – Depart at 8 pm – Golf – Game 11
Golf Option – Game 12: Today, for those not planning to visit Florence or one of the many outlying towns in Tuscany, we travel and play Montecatini golf course. The course is a 60 minute drive from Port of Livorno. While we have not previously played the course, all recent reviews we have sighted have been consistently positive including that the welcome is friendly and the course is well conditioned.
Day 18 – Thursday 30 September 2027 – Calvi (Corsica) – France – Anchor – 8 AM/6 PM
Welcome to Corsica, a Mediterranean gem known for its white sandy beaches, dense forests, snow-capped mountains and rolling countryside. A prosperous citadel town, Calvi sits atop a promontory surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Golfe de Calvi. Journey to Bonafacio in the south, or inland to see Les Calanches, a dramatic mountain landscape of red and orange granite renowned as one of Corsica’s most stunning natural sights.
No golf is played today as the nearest acceptable golf course (Golf de Sperone) is too far to drive (over 3 hours drive from Calvi).
Day 19 – Friday 1 October 2027 – Rome (Civitavecchia) – Italy - In Port 7 AM
After a relaxing overnight cruise down the coast of Italy, we will berth early morning in Civitavecchi, the port of Rome. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a final farewell to new friends and old before disembarkation.
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 14 July 2025 and require 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. Crystal adopts dynamic pricing and continuous changes in pricing are anticipated over the coming months
- Where a price range is provided, lower price refers to forward location (only available for Veranda and Sapphire) and higher price is mid-ship/aft location. Compared to earlier years, the discount for forward location has reduced and currently sits around 5% (previously 10% to 15%). Note that Sapphire Ocean view are only located mid-ship and single ocean view are only located in the forward section of ship. There are only 17 x single ocean view suites on ship – these always sell fast and are liable to price increases as the number available reduces.
- There are 3 x styles of suite for Aquamarine and Sapphire – a description of each is summarised below:
- Classic – original style with separate bath and shower
- 2017 – redesigned – large shower darker colours – with Sapphire, a washing machine/dryer is included and some have partially obstructed view (only 12 on ship)
- 2023 (Sapphire only) – redesigned – large shower lighter colours – most Sapphire Suites are this category – located on decks 8 and 9
- Prices in red are for a single traveller. For 20 sqm Ocean View Suites (the lowest priced stateroom), the single supplement is 36% of the twin share per person price.
- The prices in aggregate for the 2 x 9 night legs are approximately 10% more than purchasing the 18 night cruise
- 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.
- 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 multiple categories for Sapphire Suites (all have internal area of circa 40 sqm). These are Sapphire with Ocean View (no balcony – but mid ship) and Sapphire with balcony either mid ship/aft or forward. Forward Sapphire Suites are priced approximately 4% less than midship/aft suites. Interestingly, the price for an Ocean View Sapphire Suite (without balcony) is 13% less than the price of an Aquamarine Suite (which has balcony). There are 135 Sapphire suites on the ship – 50 Ocean view and 85 with balconies. Past experience has shown that Sapphire Suites are the last to clear on a sold out ship – reflecting Sapphire Suites comprise around 45% of staterooms on Crystal Symphony. They are the most likely suites to be discounted in price.
- For past Crystal guests (including those who travelled with Crystal under the pre covid ownership), a 2.5% discount applies to your cruise fare. For new guests to Crystal, a 5% discount on cruise fares is available – conditions to qualify are available on request. If you are new to Crystal and you are introduced by friends, both you and your friends receive a 5% discount (your friend’s discount applies to a future Crystal cruise).
- 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 225 pp and EUR 400 pp (but most will approximate EUR 250 to EUR 300 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 with a corresponding reduction in the cost of your golf day.
- Golf club hire is NOT included however we should be able to arrange hire clubs at all courses.
- 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 final tour payment has been made for the golf programme, 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. Also, the 12 golf courses chosen for the golf programme cannot have tee times confirmed until at least being inside 12 months from play. Thus, obtaining tee times and sufficient motorised carts may require a change in golf courses. However, all golf courses will be finalised by the time a detailed golf programme is circulated to guests with exact pricing for each of the 12 x golf games. Payment of your golf programme deposit or final payment constitutes acceptance of the above terms.
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