Pickleball courts are springing up across the United States. But even that isn’t enough for this fast-growing sport: Cruise lines are opening their own courts, too, meaning that you can increasingly play this sport while sailing the high seas.
A good example? Holland America is so dedicated to the sport that it has been named the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association.
And earlier this year, Carnival opened its first court dedicated solely to pickleball on its Carnival Conquest ship, while Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima and Viva cruise ships both offer pickleball courts in an area dubbed The Stadium.
Holland America’s dedication to Pickleball
All ships in Holland America’s fleet feature pickleball courts with top-deck views. Holland America will refurbish each of these courts by February of 2023, according to a press release from the cruise company, a touch-up that will include new Professional Pickleball Association Tour partner logos.
Holland America will also offer free pickleball lessons to beginning players starting in February, according to the release.
Mirroring its rapid growth as the fastest growing sport in the U.S., pickleball is the most popular sport on our ships. It’s wonderful to see guests bond over their shared love of the game — and the ever-changing scenery makes the perfect pickleball backdrop.
Kacy Cole, vice president of marketing for Holland America Line
Televisions in the line’s staterooms will also feature tutorials on how to play pickleball. And starting next year, guests will be able to buy pickleball starter kits in the ships’ retail shops.
More cruisers adding pickleball courts
Of course, not every cruise line can be named an official partner of a pickleball association. But that isn’t stopping cruise lines from opening dedicated pickleball courts on their ships.
This includes Norwegian Cruise lines, which offers pickleball courts on two of its higher-end ships, the Prima and Viva.
The Carnival Conquest debuted its dedicated pickleball court in October of this year, making it the first court devoted solely to the sport in Carnival’s fleet.
The new court is located on the ship’s top deck, allowing players to not only enjoy the sport but take in sprawling ocean views at the same time.
While the Conquest is the first Carnival ship to feature a permanent pickleball court, picklers can play the sport on several other ships in the line. In a press release, Carnival says that it has added pickleball equipment to most of its ships that feature basketball courts.
