Davy Jones' Locker Room: 5 Picks for Sports Cruises

PHOTO: The MSC Divina will host a number of MLB Cruises. (Courtesy of MSC)

Attention sports fans! Did you know that some of your favorite sports stars and teams go on cruises with their fans? It’s true, sports-themed cruises are becoming increasingly popular, especially with fans who want to get up close and personal with their idols. The cruises generally include autograph sessions, Q&As and clinics. Although not a comprehensive list, here are five upcoming sports cruises.

Batter up!

MSC Cruises has operated Major League Baseball cruises for nine years, attracting a number of popular old-timers. They’re hosted by Stan Bahnsen, a pitcher known as the “Bahnsen Burner” for his fastball. He was American League Rookie of the Year in 1968 and played pro ball until 1982, for teams including the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics and more.

The Miami-based MSC Divina will host a number of MLB cruises this year, but I’m going to highlight one just because I was raised a Chicago Cubs fan (although I’ve lost interest in recent years for obvious reasons).

The May 10 Caribbean cruise will feature one of my favorite players, Cubs catcher Randy Hundley, who also is credited for inventing the hinged catcher’s mitt and fantasy camps. Also on the cruise is Milwaukee Brewer Gorman Thomas, the two-time American Leagues home run champ, and Gary Peters, the 1963 Rookie of the Year who played for the White Sox and Red Sox. The seven-night cruise will visit Falmouth in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and the private beach destination Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. Fares start at $779.

Tee off

 Golf cruising is gaining popularity and for good reason — you can play several legendary courses during one voyage. Consider Crystal Cruises’ Aug. 17-24 voyage from London to Dublin — and Billy Casper will be onboard!

Golfers can play Faithlegg Golf Course in Waterford, Ireland ($339), Carden Park in Liverpool ($429) and Turnberry Kintyre Course in Scotland ($459). Those who purchase two or more rounds of golf get golf balls, tees, a Crystal golf cap and golf shirt, and layouts of the courses. They’re also invited to a welcome cocktail reception with Casper and PGA teaching professional John Clark. A contest includes a longest drive, closest to the pin and a hole-in-one. If someone shoots a hole-in-one at a designated hole they’ll win a free cruise.

Each 18-hole golf outing includes a 45-minute warm-up at the driving range or putting green, bottled water, trolley service, transfers between ship and course, locker room facilities, ninth hole refreshments, drinks at the 19th hole, and complimentary cleaning of golf clubs and golf shoes. The golf pros will accompany participants and play a few holes with each foursome.

Fares start at $3,405, including $550 savings when booked by April 30.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, which operates the Europa and Europa 2, also offers expert instruction from PGA pros and golf excursions to European courses on several cruises. Europa 2 even offers golfing for kids and teens and stocks equipment for young duffers. Options include the Nov. 16-25 Canary Islands and Morocco voyage from Lisbon to Funchal, priced from $4,980; the golf package costs $1,070 for play at El Jadida Royal Golf Course in Casablanca, Buenavista in Santa Cruz and Tecina Golf at San Sebastian de la Gomera.

Go Pats

Celebrity Cruises will host a New England Patriots Fan Cruise on the March 15, 2015, voyage of the Celebrity Silhouette in the Caribbean. NFL players scheduled to attend are three-time Super Bowl champs Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, Joe Andruzzi and Patrick Pass. Also lined up are Steve Nelson, a Patriots Hall of Fame linebacker; Peter Brock, the All-Decade; and Scott Zolak, a former quarterback who now is the Patriots color analyst.

Formula 1 racing

Windstar Cruises and Crystal are offering packages to the Monaco Grand Prix when the Star Pride, Wind Surf and the Crystal Serenity overnight at Monte Carlo.

Windstar offers two options. The May 21 Grand Prix-themed cruise on the Star Pride will be hosted by John Bisignano, a former Formula One pit reporter. Guests get grandstand seats during the qualifying races on May 24 and May 25 and then attend a post-race cocktail reception at the Hotel de Paris. The cruise includes several Grand Prix events, including a cocktail reception and dinner. Fares start at $6,499 per person, double occupancy.

Those on the Wind Surf’s May 20 voyage can also book a Grand Prix package, which includes grandstand seats for the qualifying races and finals, an onboard cocktail reception and a Grand Prix gift package.

Crystal offers two packages during the May 18 departure — the “Exclusive Grandstand Experience” includes grandstand seating near the start/finish line, catered lunch, cushioned seating, ear protection, souvenirs, commentary and staff nearby to assist throughout the day.

Another option is “VIP Nightclubbing at the Amber Lounge,” at F1’s exclusive after-party. Crystal has a limited number of VIP tables, where guests can sip Dom Perignon and dance until 6 a.m. Until April 30, all-inclusive “Book Now” fares begin at $4,155 per person, with Grand Prix Adventures starting at $959 per person. 

A marathon (or a half)

Two expert runners — John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield — organize cruises centered on running in ports of call. At the conclusion of the voyage, some guests have completed a half or full marathon. They organize the voyages in partnership with The Cruise Authority, a company in Marietta, Ga.

They’ve organized several such cruises this year, including the “Great Alaskan Running Cruise” on Holland America’s Westerdam July 26-Aug. 2 round-trip from Seattle. It includes a 5K deck run on the ship, a half-marathon or 5K in Juneau, an 8K in Sitka and a 5K or 10K in Ketchikan through the Tongass National Forest.

Bingham has written “The Chronicles” in Runner’s World magazine since 1996. He has co-written two books on running and training with Hadfield, co-owner of Chicago Endurance Sports.