Win-win

Sports-themed cruises score big points with passengers.

There are a lot of reasons to love cruising, and for many travelers, the huge array of fun activities, food and experiences remains the big attraction. But what if you want to focus on, say, golf or hanging out with sports legends from your favorite teams? You can do that, too, thanks to an abundance of sports-themed voyages on the horizon. Even better, most such cruises abound with perks like tickets and exclusive access to sold-out events, celebrity meet-and-greets, social gatherings with other fans and the chance to try cool new tech advances.

Uniworld Cruises, for instance, partnered with Butterfield & Robinson to offer cycling itineraries on select sailings along the Rhine and Danube rivers. Daily cycle excursions not only showcase spectacular scenery but also offer extras like handlebar-mounted tablets preloaded with route maps, expert guides and a support vehicle.

Uniworld isn’t the only cruise line to partner with experts. Working with Perrygolf, Azamara offers golf cruises to 25 countries each year including Japan, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland and Saudi Arabia. Golfers arrive at each course to find their carts or caddies ready to go; an onboard manager coordinates details. July sailings offer the added bonus of two days at the British Open, the oldest golf tournament in the world. Another option is Kalos Golf, leading golf cruises in Normandy, the Caribbean, the British Isles and other destinations on a wide array of chartered ships.

Sports enthusiasts who would rather spectate than participate have a world of options, as well. Windstar Cruises’ Grand Prix voyage not only takes fans to the Monaco Grand Prix races but also into the pits with a Formula One expert. Passengers also enjoy themed events, Q&A sessions with a former driver and lots of swag.

Chartered vessels offer a way for superfans to spend time with the stars of their sport; upcoming cruises include five days with professional wrestling star Chris Jericho aboard Norwegian Pearl and a four-night, player-studded “tailgate at sea” for fans of the San Francisco 49ers.