A lot of top personalities, such as Naomi Osaka, Tom Brady, Kim Clijsters, Nick Kyrgios and LeBron James have been investing heavily in pickleball. It seems that everyone wants to play pickleball, especially in the US. So it is not surprising that pickleball courts are springing up all over the place. Travelers can already play in national parks, fitness centers, and resorts; some Airbnb properties even have pickleball courts on-site.
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, according to a 2022 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, with 4.8 million players, an increase of about 40% since 2020. Its accessibility and appeal across generations can be credited for its popularity.
The sport is now being played on the open seas. The Official Cruise Line of the Professional Pickleball Association is now Holland America Line (PPA). The paddle sport, which is played on a court about a third the size of a tennis court and uses a plastic ball with holes similar to a wiffleball, combines elements of badminton and ping-pong.
Every ship in the fleet of Holland America Line will have pickleball courts with top-deck views by February 2023. By April 2023, every ship will provide free introductory pickleball lessons from instructors who will teach the game’s rules and fundamentals, including where the “kitchen” is and what a “dink” shot is.
