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Published on 05/29/2025
Just as Crystal takes guests to some of the most amazing destinations in the world, so does Luke Donald’s career as a professional golfer. “I get to travel a lot for my profession and I love to travel with my family,” says Luke. “I’ve traveled all over Europe, and I’ve been to Australia, Asia, Japan, China, South Africa. I recently returned from two weeks in the Middle East, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai – I have been visiting Dubai since 2008 and watching the transformation of the city has been pretty incredible. All the places I’ve visited are unique in their own way.
“When I was growing up in England, I traveled to Ireland and Scotland, which are amazing for golf. In the U.S., I like to play on the west coast of Florida, North California – Monterey and Carmel – and Long Island has unbelievable courses, too. I learnt the game in Spain, on the Costa del Sol, where we used to go on holiday when I was young, so I have fond memories of the country. That place piqued my interest with the game, playing in beautiful weather in the summer. You can travel all over the world for golf and discover amazing destinations.
“But we like to travel as a family, too. I went on safari at Singita [in the Kruger National Park] in 2005 and just had the best time. Now my three daughters are 10, 13, and 14, it’s a good age for them to experience safari. I’d love to take them to South Africa, Botswana or Kenya, and really experience the bush. There is something quite amazing about waking up early and seeing animals in their habitat and experiencing what that’s all about. That’s definitely on the list for one of the next family holidays.”
Luke is relishing his latest role as an Ambassador for The Crystal Cup, the prestigious new amateur golf championship. He sees many parallels between the world of professional golf and cruise. "The Crystal Cup is a fantastic initiative that brings together the best of both worlds – challenging golf at well-known courses and the exceptional service, dining, and entertainment you get on a Crystal cruise," he says.
Luke will be at the final of The Crystal Cup at Sea Island Golf Resort in Georgia. Another Troon course, Pebble Beach in Carmel, is one of his firm favorites. “There are no better views in the world in golf than Pebble Beach,” says Luke. “It’s an amazing course, set on the coast – you can see seals popping their head out of the water. Pebble Beach has been the setting for lots of major championships and has a lot of history.”
Crystal and Troon Golf’s creation of The Crystal Cup is a fusion of world-class travel and golf. As an elite sportsperson and World Number One in golf several times, Luke knows what it takes to be the best. “Planning – and a lot of work and dedication. Thinking outside the box, being really committed, and consistency. Consistency is a superpower. You have to do the little things every day to try to better your game. That’s how I got to be World Number One in golf and stay there for a decent amount of time. You’re thinking about how to separate yourself from your competition, how to create something unique and memorable.”
One of the parallels between Crystal and top-flight golf is the importance placed on service. Crystal prides itself on intuitive service; it’s what our guests say makes our cruises different. And service is very important in the game of golf in terms of the special relationship between golfer and caddy. “Your caddy is the only person you get to talk to in a competitive round of golf and get advice from. As golfers, we lean into that relationship. It can mean the difference between success and not being successful. Your caddy won’t talk in negatives, they will help you give yourself the best opportunity for success. They understand course strategy, they know all the stats, where all the pin positions are. They can create a great visual for you.”
So, what tips does Luke have for guests who are golfers about how to improve their game? “Put in the time,” he says. “Start from the hole backwards. Amateur golfers have the ability to hit 300-yard drives, but focus on putting and chipping, they are important skills. Golf does take up time, and you have to find that time every day.”
