|
MARCH/APRIL 08
By Rick Pledl Have you always dreamed of a golf vacation in Monte Carlo? Perhaps you’ve pictured yourself navigating the fairways of Turkey or Oman. You may have heard Dubai is a special place to visit, and India has always held a certain appeal for the exotic golfer in you.
What about Greece, Spain, South Africa or Sri Lanka? Or even “mundane” locales such as France, the Bahamas and Charleston, S.C.
Golf is a global sport today as never before. And now, thanks to a unique and relatively new program called Golf Voyages, travelers may experience the ancient game across the four corners of the earth.
Golf Voyages are essentially packaged golf tours which visit exotic destinations around the world, but what makes the program unique is the fact that participants actually travel via The World. The World is a fractionally-owned cruise ship launched in 2002, but the berths are better described in most cases as vacation homes for their owners. So The World is actually something along the lines of a 644-foot floating condo development.
Like many condominiums on golf courses and elsewhere, owners may rent their residences when they are not using them. And those are the accommodations where travelers stay when they book with Golf Voyages.
“There’s a vacation rental program,” said Golf Voyages spokesperson Marla McLaughlin. “These are primarily second and third homes for the owners, so when they are not on board they have the option of putting their residence into a vacation rental program.”
That program is maintained by ResidenSea Management, Ltd., headquartered in Miramar, Fla., which, along with The World’s concierge, put together Golf Voyages.
Golf Voyages aboard The World were first offered in 2007, with the four initial trips visiting Russia and the Baltic Sea, Norway and France, the Mediterranean Sea and Spain and Morocco.
The concept has been expanded so that eight Golf Voyages are being offered in 2008, with prices ranging from around $6,000 to $12,000 per person. The trips are, for the most part, all-inclusive, with accommodations, meals and green fees included. Travelers can play additional rounds, time allowing, provided The World isn’t due in another port.
Destinations remaining for 2008 Golf Voyages
Oman and Dubai (March 21-30)
India and Sri Lanka (April 10-21)
Turkey and Greece (May 31-June 11)
Croatia and Italy (Aug. 13-24)
Italy, including Rome (Sept. 17-Oct. 2)
Monaco and Spain (Oct. 4-18)
Bermuda, Bahamas and Charleston, S.C. (Nov. 5-20)
Complete itineraries are available at www.aboardtheworld.com.
Golf has become a popular on-board diversion for travelers on ships around the globe, and The World doesn’t disappoint there, either. The World’s country club has its own golf professional – lessons are available – and extensive practice facilities, including putting greens, practice bunkers and a state-of-the-art simulator allowing travelers to play more than 50 famous courses.
Of course, the opportunity also exists to launch buckets of biodegradable golf balls far into the ocean blue – with nary a thought of facing a recovery shot.
The World – with 12 decks – was launched in spring 2002 with 164 residences ranging in price from $825,000 to $7.3 million. By June 2006, all the residences had been purchased, but they are sometimes resold on the secondary market.
When not hosting Golf Voyages, The World travels a route determined by a board made up of resident owners which collectively sets the ship’s itinerary, with help from the captain and his crew. Efforts are made to visit certain locales at specific times, such as the stop last year in Valencia, Spain, to coincide with the America’s Cup. Since 2002, the ship has visited more than 100 nations while spanning the globe every two or three years. It visited 36 countries in 2007.
The pace on The World is said to be a bit more leisurely than on actual cruise line ships, thanks to the fractured ownership system which results in only about 150 to 200 guests on board at any time.
The World also features a number of non-golf amenities, including The World Spa by Banyan Tree, offering a range of treatments to reinvigorate the body and soothe the soul. There’s also a full-service fitness center, two swimming pools, a full-size tennis court, jogging track and opportunities to engage in numerous water sports.
The ship has four unique restaurants and a variety of lounges and bars which offer more casual dining opportunities, or, in the case of the Cigar Club, a space to relax with a smoke. Travelers who would rather cook for themselves back home in their berth often make use of Fredy’s Deli, which doubles as a market and cafe. The market is constantly re-stocked with fresh produce and specialty items selected in the various ports where the ship visits.
The World has its own casino and an auditorium offering movies and musical performances. Classes in dance, cooking, language and music are offered from time to time.
And don’t be afraid to bring the family along. The World offers a children’s program June through August which includes swimming, arts and crafts, movies, games and educational projects. Babysitting services may also be arranged.
In short, once aboard, there’s really no reason to leave the ship, except to explore that next exotic port of call.
What in The World could be better than that?
|
