The popularity of pickleball is booming in the United States, with nearly 14 million players in 2023, a growth of 224% over three years, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Entrepreneurs, athletes, and the travel industry are now offering vacations centered around the sport.
Pickleball Cruises
Cruise lines are adding dedicated pickleball courts to meet growing demand. Carnival Cruise Line installed a court on the Carnival Conquest, while Norwegian Cruise Line has courts on the Norwegian Prime and Norwegian Viva. Regent Seven Seas offers courts on the Splendor, Explorer, and Grandeur ships.
Holland America, the “exclusive cruise line of the Professional Pickleball Association,” has courts on all its ships, allowing players to practice in locations like Alaska’s fjords or the Mediterranean Sea. AmaWaterways offers a court on the AmaMagna riverboat along the Danube River. Most cruises provide public paddles, but players often bring their own.
Cruise costs vary: a seven-day Carnival cruise may be under $700, while Regent Seven Seas luxury cruises can reach $7,000. Using travel rewards credit cards can help offset costs.
Luxury Pickleball Resorts
Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, the Bahamas, St. Lucia, and Antigua feature dedicated pickleball courts. Resorts organize tournaments and provide in-house coaching. Turks and Caicos offers courts at Beaches Resort, Club Med Turkoise, and Seven Stars Resort and Spa. Courts also exist in Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.
Resort costs depend on location and amenities. A seven-night Sandals stay can range from $4,000 to $7,000 for two people. Rewards credit cards can help reduce costs for these stays.
Group Pickleball Vacations
Vacation organizers are offering activity-based trips focused on pickleball. Georgia Johns, operations manager for Pickleball Getaways, said, “The only thing you have to worry about is your flight.” The company, started by professional players Ben Johns and Dekel Bar, handles lodging, food, transportation, and pickleball instruction in locations including Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, and Antigua.
Seven-day trips cost between $2,500 and $4,500 per person. Travelers can use airline miles to lower costs, often through co-branded airline credit cards.
Growing Trend
Pickleball travel combines vacations with sport, appealing to enthusiasts looking to practice and compete in new locations. Cruises, resorts, and guided trips make it easier for players to enjoy the fastest-growing sport in the United States while exploring global destinations.
News in Brief: Pickleball Travel and Tours
Pickleball’s popularity in the U.S. has surged, with nearly 14 million players in 2023. Cruises, resorts, and guided trips now cater to enthusiasts. Holland America, Carnival, Sandals Resorts, and Pickleball Getaways offer dedicated courts, coaching, and tournaments. Travel rewards and airline miles can help offset costs for these pickleball vacations.
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