For golfers who have spent years travelling in pursuit of exceptional courses, the next great trip might offer something different: the chance to combine a favorite sport with a journey through several fascinating destinations, without changing hotels every few nights.
That is the thinking behind Azamara golf cruises, an exciting development for travelers who would rather see more of the world than simply travel to one resort and stay put. In partnership with Premier Golf, Azamara is bringing together selected golf courses, golf-focused cruise itineraries and the opportunity to explore the places between rounds.
The possibilities stretch from the celebrated fairways of Europe to the golfing traditions of Asia and the landscapes of the Pacific. Valderrama in southern Spain and Tokyo Golf Club in Japan, both named in the partnership announcement, offer two particularly interesting examples of the courses associated with the program. Each represents a different golfing culture and hints at how varied a golf-led holiday can be.
For travelers who appreciate their sport as much as the pleasure of discovering somewhere new, this is a compelling combination.
A New Chapter in Golf Travel
Announced in 2026, Azamara’s partnership with Premier Golf introduces a dedicated collection of golf cruises designed around selected courses and destination-rich voyages.
The concept brings together two complementary ways of travelling. Golf can take enthusiasts to places they might not otherwise visit, while cruising makes it possible to explore several regions during a single holiday. Put the two together and the itinerary becomes part of the attraction, rather than simply a means of getting from one course to the next.
Azamara’s smaller ships, extended time in port and overnight stays are particularly relevant to this style of travel. A destination can be more than a name on a scorecard: there may be time to explore its streets, appreciate its architecture or experience its local culture alongside the golf.
The partnership also introduces golf-themed activities on board, including talks, educational sessions and social gatherings for guests who share a passion for the game.
In its October 2026 announcement, Azamara confirmed eight dedicated golf cruises for 2027 and 2028. The collection spans the Pacific Coast, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, the British Isles and Northern Europe.
Four sailings offer both Classic and Leisure golf packages, while the remaining four offer a single collection. Depending on the sailing and package selected, guests can enjoy three to five rounds of golf.
The program gives travelers a choice between focusing on the game and building a more varied holiday around their time on the course.
Valderrama: A Spanish Golfing Landmark
In the hills above the Mediterranean coastline of southern Spain, Valderrama has earned a place among Europe’s most recognizable golf destinations.
Located in Sotogrande, in the province of Cádiz, the course is associated with the 1997 Ryder Cup, when Spain became the first continental European country to host the competition. Its reputation rests on demanding play, immaculate presentation and a layout that rewards precision as much as power.
For an experienced golfer, a round here is about more than the setting. Valderrama has a serious sporting pedigree, and its reputation makes it an appealing name for anyone compiling a personal list of courses to play.
Yet the wider region offers its own rewards. Andalucía combines historic towns, striking architecture and a distinctive cultural identity, while the nearby coast provides a different perspective on southern Spain. Travelers might be drawn to the old quarter of Cádiz, the Moorish heritage of Seville or the whitewashed villages of the surrounding countryside.
This is where a cruise-led golf holiday has particular appeal. The course may provide the headline experience, but the destination gives the journey depth.
Azamara and Premier Golf named Valderrama among the prestigious courses associated with their partnership. Access is through selected golf-cruise packages, however, and should not be assumed on every Mediterranean sailing. The course, port arrangements and package inclusions should be confirmed for the specific voyage before booking.
Tokyo: Golf Meets a Different Kind of Discovery
If Valderrama represents the traditions of European championship golf, Tokyo Golf Club introduces a different perspective.
Founded in 1913, Tokyo Golf Club is one of Japan’s historic golf institutions. Its name carries weight among those interested in the country’s golfing heritage, while its setting offers a contrast to the energy of the Japanese capital and the surrounding metropolitan landscape.
Japan is an especially interesting destination for golfers who enjoy exploring a country’s customs as well as its courses. Golf has a distinctive place in Japanese leisure culture, and a visit can sit alongside experiences that have little to do with the sport: a morning in a traditional garden, a visit to a shrine, contemporary architecture or an evening discovering Tokyo’s neighborhoods.
For cruise travelers, the attraction is the opportunity to bring these experiences together. Time ashore can be devoted to golf where the itinerary and package permit, while additional time in Japan allows visitors to explore the destination beyond the fairway.
Tokyo also makes an intriguing counterpoint to southern Spain. The two destinations differ in pace, landscape, cuisine and cultural traditions, yet both demonstrate how golf can offer a reason to travel somewhere new.
Tokyo Golf Club was also identified in Azamara and Premier Golf’s initial partnership announcement. Its inclusion depends on the particular sailing and golf package, so travelers should confirm the course offered rather than assume it forms part of every Japanese itinerary.
More Than a Round of Golf
The appeal of Azamara’s golf program is not limited to the courses themselves. It is also about how the holiday is organized around them.
Traditional golf trips can involve repeated hotel changes, separate transport arrangements and considerable planning between destinations. A cruise offers a different rhythm: unpack once, enjoy the ship as a comfortable base and travel between ports while the next stage of the journey unfolds.
For golfers, the practical details matter. Course access, transport, equipment arrangements, playing formats and tee times all need to fit the itinerary. Working with a specialist golf operator helps bring these elements together in a coordinated package.
Azamara’s announced program distinguishes between different playing preferences. The Classic Collection is aimed at golfers seeking traditional links and more demanding golf experiences, while the Leisure Collection features more accessible, cart-friendly courses. Four of the announced sailings offer both collections, allowing travelers to compare the available playing options.
Depending on the sailing and package selected, guests can enjoy three to five rounds. Package inclusions vary, but may include transfers to courses, carts or caddies where applicable, lunch at the course and welcome or farewell celebrations.
These differences make it important to look beyond the headline course names when comparing options. The number of rounds, the courses themselves and the arrangements ashore all contribute to the experience.
The concept can appeal to more than one type of traveler. Experienced golfers can focus on the challenge of celebrated courses, while less frequent players may prefer a balance of golf, sightseeing and time on board.
Life Between the Fairways
A memorable golf holiday should leave room for experiences that cannot be measured on a scorecard.
That might mean wandering through an historic European city, discovering a Japanese neighborhood or enjoying a leisurely evening back on board after a day ashore. Azamara’s approach to destination immersion, with longer stays and selected overnights, can give travelers more opportunity to experience a place beyond the usual highlights.
The program also offers a social dimension. Golf-themed talks and gatherings provide opportunities to meet fellow enthusiasts, compare experiences and share the anticipation of an upcoming round. For couples or groups with different levels of interest in golf, the wider cruise experience can help balance time on the course with other activities and destinations.
Pre- and post-cruise extensions are another consideration for those who want to build a longer holiday around their voyage. The partnership has also highlighted additional golf experiences in selected locations, including La Jolla in California, Sentosa Island in Singapore, Mission Hills in Shenzhen and Te Arai in New Zealand. Availability and the courses offered depend on the specific package.
For travelers who want to spend more time in a destination, these extensions may offer a way to make golf the centerpiece of a longer journey rather than the sole focus of the cruise itself.
Finding the Right Golf Cruise
The best itinerary will depend on what you want from the game and the journey.
If playing a celebrated course is the priority, start by checking which golf packages are available on your preferred sailing and whether the course you have in mind is included. If you would rather combine a few rounds with a broader holiday, consider the ports, the length of the voyage and how much time you would like to spend exploring ashore.
Seasonality matters, too. Playing conditions, daylight hours and local weather vary considerably between northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and Australasia. The timing that suits a golf trip in Scotland may be very different from the ideal window for a journey around New Zealand.
Finally, compare what is included in the golf package with what is covered by the cruise fare. Course fees, transfers, equipment arrangements and optional extensions can differ, so understanding the details helps you assess the overall value of the trip.
Azamara’s partnership with Premier Golf opens up an appealing way to combine a love of golf with the pleasure of travelling well. From the heritage of Valderrama to the traditions of Japanese golf, the possibilities reflect a broader idea of luxury travel: following a personal passion while discovering the world along the way.
For those who believe a great holiday should offer more than one memorable round, it is a concept worth exploring.
Call us at 888-717-5074 and speak to our luxury cruise specialists about Azamara’s golf cruises. We can help you compare itineraries, understand the available golf packages and find a voyage that combines your passion for the game with the destinations you want to explore.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are Azamara golf cruises?
A: Azamara golf cruises are selected sailings developed with specialist golf operator Premier Golf. They combine cruise itineraries with organized golf packages, access to selected courses and golf-themed activities on board.
Q: Does Azamara offer golf at Valderrama and Tokyo Golf Club?
A: Both courses were named in Azamara and Premier Golf’s initial partnership announcement. Access is through selected golf-cruise packages, and neither course should be assumed to be included on every sailing. Confirm the specific course and package before booking.
Q: Which destinations feature in Azamara’s golf cruise program?
A: Azamara’s October 2026 announcement confirmed eight golf cruises for 2027 and 2028, spanning the Pacific Coast, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, the British Isles and Northern Europe.
Q: How many rounds of golf are included?
A: Depending on the sailing and package, the announced program offers three to five rounds. Exact inclusions and arrangements vary.
Q: Are Azamara golf cruises suitable for less experienced golfers?
A: Some sailings offer a Leisure Collection featuring more accessible, cart-friendly courses. Availability depends on the cruise selected, so check the options for your preferred departure.
Q: Can I extend my golf cruise with a land stay?
A: Selected pre- and post-cruise golf experiences have been announced as part of the partnership. Check the options available for your sailing to confirm the courses, accommodation, transport and other inclusions.
