Azamara Cruises Partners with Premier Golf to Launch Exclusive 2027 and 2028 Golf Cruise Collection Across Global Destinations

Azamara Cruises has officially announced an exclusive, long-term partnership with Premier Golf, the designated Official Golf Travel Partner of the PGA of America. This collaboration introduces a comprehensive portfolio of eight dedicated golf cruises scheduled to sail throughout 2027 and 2028. Spanning the entirety of Azamara’s four-ship boutique fleet, the newly minted itineraries are designed to seamlessly integrate high-end ocean travel with access to some of the most celebrated and exclusive championship golf courses across the globe.

The initiative responds to a growing demand among affluent travelers who seek integrated, multi-destination vacation experiences without the logistical friction traditionally associated with international golf tours. By combining intimate shipboard accommodations with curated shore-side excursions, the cruise line aims to redefine the intersection of luxury cruising and sport tourism.

Itinerary Highlights and Global Reach

The inaugural Premier Golf Cruise Collection features meticulously crafted routes that cover major golfing regions across multiple continents. Travelers will embark on voyages visiting Ireland, Scotland, the British Isles, Northern Europe, the Pacific Coast of North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Among the standout inclusions on these itineraries are access tee times at globally revered, bucket-list courses. In the British Isles, passengers will have the opportunity to play at legendary links such as Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. In North America, the sailings incorporate stops near renowned championship layouts like Torrey Pines South in California. Meanwhile, South Pacific itineraries feature access to premier properties such as Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand.

To cater to varying skill levels and preferences within traveling parties, the Premier Golf collection is divided into two distinct categories:

• The Classic Collection: Tailored specifically for avid golfers and traditionalists seeking challenging, historic links and world-ranked championship courses.
• The Leisure Collection: Designed for casual players and mixed-ability groups, featuring cart-friendly courses that emphasize scenic play and accessibility.

Additional sailings slated for the 2028 schedule are set to be announced by Azamara Cruises at a later date, promising an expansion of the current portfolio.

Chronology and Pre- and Post-Cruise Land Extensions

Planning for the 2027 and 2028 rollout has been underway for months, driven by logistical coordination between Azamara’s itinerary planning teams and Premier Golf’s destination management specialists. The partnership goes beyond port-day excursions by introducing five curated pre- and post-cruise land programs across four distinct international destinations.

These land extensions allow travelers to immerse themselves in extended golf getaways before boarding or after disembarking their vessel. The featured pre- and post-cruise packages include:

• Shenzhen, China: Exclusive rounds at the sprawling facilities of Mission Hills Golf Resort.
• La Jolla, California: Dedicated golf extensions featuring a post-cruise round at Torrey Pines South.
• Singapore: Access to the world-class greens of Sentosa Golf Club on Sentosa Island.
• New Zealand: Two-night immersive escapes featuring rounds at both the North and South Courses at Te Arai.

These land packages are structured to provide participants with seamless transfers, luxury accommodations, and guaranteed tee times, mitigating the scarcity and high demand typically encountered when booking these elite venues independently.

Leadership Perspectives and Strategic Vision

The strategic collaboration underscores a broader trend within the luxury cruise sector toward hyper-specialized destination immersion. By aligning with Premier Golf—an organization with deep ties to the PGA of America—Azamara gains immediate credibility within the dedicated sports tourism market.

Dondra Ritzenthaler, Chief Executive Officer of Azamara Cruises, emphasized the philosophical alignment between ocean cruising and the sport of golf during the announcement. "Golf and travel are both driven by a sense of passion and discovery, and this partnership brings those interests together in a way that is uniquely Azamara," Ritzenthaler stated. "Our guests can play some of the world’s most sought-after courses while experiencing the intimate ships, longer stays and destination immersion that set Azamara Cruises apart. It’s a new way to think about a golf getaway where the journey between rounds becomes part of the experience."

Industry analysts note that partnerships of this caliber allow boutique cruise lines to capture high-value demographic segments. Golf travelers typically exhibit higher-than-average discretionary spending patterns and frequently travel in groups, making them a lucrative target for premium cruise operators looking to maximize onboard revenue and secure advance bookings.

Broader Implications for Luxury Travel and Sports Tourism

The launch of the Premier Golf Cruise Collection arrives at a time when experiential and niche travel sectors are experiencing rapid post-pandemic acceleration. Traditional cruise lines are increasingly forced to differentiate their product offerings through specialized programming rather than relying solely on standard itineraries.

By packaging complex logistical arrangements—such as secure tee times, equipment transport, specialized ground transfers, and expert hosts—into a unified cruise fare, Azamara and Premier Golf remove significant friction points for travelers. For international golfers, coordinating tee times at elite courses like Royal Portrush or Te Arai months in advance often involves complex booking windows and stringent handicap requirements. Bundling these access points directly into a cruise itinerary transforms a notoriously difficult vacation to plan into a streamlined, turnkey experience.

Furthermore, the dual-tier structure of the Classic and Leisure collections demonstrates an inclusive approach to sports travel. Recognizing that many golf travelers journey with partners or spouses who may not share the same level of enthusiasm for an 18-hole championship round, the inclusion of cart-friendly, leisure-oriented courses ensures broader appeal for multi-generational or mixed-interest travel parties.

As reservations open for the 2027 and 2028 deployments, industry observers will be monitoring whether this comprehensive model influences other luxury and expedition cruise operators to forge similar alliances with major sporting organizations. For now, Azamara and Premier Golf have established a robust benchmark for how sports tourism can be successfully integrated into boutique maritime travel.