TaylorMade(R) Golf Takes to Sea With Crystal Cruises

TaylorMade(R) Golf Takes to Sea With Crystal Cruises Partnership Unites World's Best Driver With World's Best Cruise Line Golf Theme Cruises Spotlight World's Best Courses LOS ANGELES, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The No. 1 driver on the PGA Tour -- TaylorMade's r7 quad -- finds a new home this month aboard the No. 1 large- ship cruise line as TaylorMade takes to sea as the official golf club of luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises. In addition to the prestigious r7 quad driver, the new alliance showcases TaylorMade's acclaimed 2005 rac OS IRONS, the Mezza Monza putter, and the r5 dual Type N -- the most forgiving driver TaylorMade has ever engineered. Crystal's comprehensive golf program features right and left handed clubs available for both men and women, as well as golf clinics, instruction by PGA golf pros, a putting green, practice cage, and golf driving ranges aboard each ship -- Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. One of the most respected names in golf, TaylorMade drivers ranked No. 1 at every PGA Tour event in 2004 -- the third year in a row -- extending TaylorMade's streak to 156 consecutive events (dating back to 2001) at No. 1. Since its inception in 1979, TaylorMade has led the golf industry's technological evolution. "Like Crystal, TaylorMade shares a passion for perfection, providing golf enthusiasts the world over with innovative products and services that continuously exceed the expectations of a discerning clientele," says Nitsa Lewis, Crystal's vice president, marketing. "All of our partnerships have reflected a match of quality companies who excel in their respective fields." New Golf Theme Cruises Feature World-Famous Courses The true traveling golf enthusiast will take special interest in one of Crystal's two dedicated golf cruises spotlighting some of the world's finest golf courses and well-known PGA pros: * August 23, 2005, aboard Crystal Symphony, British Isles cruise 11-day exploration from Copenhagen, Denmark to London, England with optional play at some of the most popular courses in the region including the legendary Gleneagles King's Course (Edinburgh, Scotland), Mount Juliet (Belfast, Ireland), Portmarnock Links (Dublin, Ireland), and Royal County Down (Waterford, Ireland). Legendary golf pro Billy Casper will be joined by Bob Casper for this special departure. * October 25, 2005, aboard Crystal Serenity, Canary Islands cruise 12-day journey from Barcelona, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal with optional play at the Real Club de Campo Malaga (Granada, Spain), Montecastillo Golf Resort (Seville, Spain), Royal Golf Dar Es-Salam (Casablanca, Morocco), Real Club de Golf de Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), and Penha Longa Golf Course (Lisbon, Portugal). Attesting to its popularity, on non-golf themed cruises, as many as 10% of Crystal's guests attend the golf classes offered year-round with pros providing complimentary instruction at morning sessions ranging from 45 minutes to an hour, and 30 minute afternoon golf clinics during days at sea. Lessons cover a wide range of topics including basic mechanics, full swing, irons (hands-on), woods, putting, chipping and pitching, sand play, equipment and specialty shots. Depending on the itinerary, the line's concierges will also make golf arrangements ashore for guests on an individual bases at acclaimed worldwide courses such as Mahogany Run in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, or at London's Orsett Golf Club. The Crystal Difference Crystal's reputation for excellence is grounded in a decade of prestigious accolades. In 2004, the luxury line became a nine-time consecutive recipient of both the Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines' World's Best Large Ship awards, making it the only cruise line to ever have achieved such a record. Aboard the luxurious ships of Crystal, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choice, and quality, providing worldwide vacations that bridge the best of land and sea. The award-winning 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony and the 1,080-guest 68,000-ton Crystal Serenity, are among the most spacious floating resorts cruising the world. Their unique size in the luxury market allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of innovative facilities, generous amenities and elegant accommodations. The Six-Star rated liners feature grand lounges, a lavish spa outfitted in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, extensive exercise facilities, complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction, Asian and Italian specialty restaurants, the only Caesars Palace at Sea(R) casino afloat, and the popular Computer University@Sea, offering 24-hour e-mail and internet access, as well as hands- on instruction, expansive decks, two pools, award-winning cuisine and entertainment, and exquisitely appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs. For additional information, please contact a travel agent or call 866-446-6625. Visit the luxury line's website at www.crystalcruises.com. For further information, please contact Mimi Weisband, +1-310-203-4305, publicrelations@crystalcruises.com. Source: Crystal Cruises CONTACT: Mimi Weisband of Crystal Cruises, +1-310-203-4305, publicrelations@crystalcruises.com Web site: http://www.crystalcruises.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment