A PerryGolf cruise aboard the M.S. Andrea makes for a unique golf vacation.

Today's golf vacation tip is devoted to golf cruises and includes a special offer for our readers who may have an interest in this increasingly popular choice for golf vacations around the globe.

In some respects, it's not surprising that cruising is well-suited for golf vacations. Just think about how many of the world's finest golf courses are located on or near the water. And, having just returned from my own Scotland golf vacation, paying for gas at nearly $8.00 per gallon is not a lot of fun.

There are two distinct types of golf cruises, mainly defined by the size of the vessels. Smaller boats are usually preferred by serious golfers because their itineraries typically include visits to more golf courses and there are fewer onboard diversions such as gyms, casinos and the lido deck.

Also, besides offering coziness and exclusivity, these smaller vessels have the advantage of being able to get to places that larger ships can't, such as Scotland's St. Andrew's Harbour and Machrihanish. In addition, whether they're of the sailing, yacht, barge, or cruise variety, these specialized golf cruises tend to be long on luxury.

The other type of golf cruise takes place via a standard cruise ship offering a golf package. These types of golf cruises usually feature fewer rounds of golf and more typical cruise pursuits, such as shore excursions, water sports, onboard activities, and nightlife.

In my experience, this is not the way to go. However, if you do happen to choose a "typical cruise ship" for your golf vacation, you're often better off making tee times on your own and just hiring a taxi in port for transportation. This is because the ships often don't send you to the best golf courses, but rather those that can best handle a crowd, or, perhaps, ones that offer the cruise line the best commission.

That's not the case with the experts at PerryGolf, who place as much importance on the golf as they do on the cruise portion of a golf cruise. They just unveiled a new portfolio of small-ship golf cruises to destinations as diverse as North America, Scotland, France, the Mediterranean, and South Africa, and they are offering Golf Vacation Insider readers a special deal: a free cabin upgrade on their 2009 "British Open by Sea" package if it's booked before August 31, 2008.

Click here for more information on this special offer and the complete list of small-ship PerryGolf cruises.

Did you know?Golf Vacation Insider and Golf Odyssey are the world's only golf publications that travel anonymously and do not accept advertising, discounts, or "freebies" from golf courses, resorts or restaurants in order to provide you with expert, unbiased, and trusted advice.

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