Do Any Cruise Ships Have Pickleball?
Are you a pickleball enthusiast looking to continue your love for the sport while on vacation? Look no further! Pickleball courts are becoming increasingly popular on cruise ships, providing guests with an opportunity to play the sport while enjoying the high seas. In this article, we’ll explore the cruise lines and ships that have pickleball courts, so you can plan your next vacation without missing a beat.
What is Pickleball?
Before we dive into the cruise lines and ships that offer pickleball courts, let’s start with the basics. Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. The sport is played on a smaller court, typically a badminton court, with a lowered net.
Players use paddles and a lightweight plastic ball with holes. The objective of the game is to hit the ball over the net and onto the opposing team’s court, with the goal of scoring points by making the ball land on the ground without the opposing team being able to return it.
Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s dive into the cruise ships that offer pickleball courts.
Which Cruise Ships Offer Pickleball Courts?
Holland America Line
According to [CruiseCritic], Holland America Line offers pickleball courts on all of their ships. Many of these ships have “official” lines mapped out for the pickleball courts within their sports courts, providing guests with a dedicated space to play the sport.
Princess Cruises
The newer ships Discovery Princess, Sky Princess, and Enchanted Princess have pickleball courts built in as part of the Center Court areas up on Deck 18 on these cruise ships, according to [InTheLoopTravel]. This makes for an excellent opportunity to take in the view while playing a game of pickleball.
Regent Seven Seas
Regent Seven Seas’ newest ships, the Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer, both have a dedicated pickleball court located on Deck 12 aft that is fully screened and ready for play at any time, according to [CruiseLine].
Carnival Cruise Line
According to [EatSleepCruise], Carnival Cruise Line offers pickleball on several of their ships. The sports court on Pinnacle, Signature, and Vista Class ships is “dedicated” to pickleball play from 8am to 4pm daily, and on R-Class ships, one side is dedicated to pickleball. Open play takes place after 5pm, allowing all guests to use the area for basketball or other sporting activities.
Royal Caribbean
Currently, 16 ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet offer pickleball as shared space with other activities and sports, according to [CruiseLine].
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many cruise ships that offer pickleball courts, providing guests with the opportunity to continue their love for the sport while on vacation. From Holland America Line to Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas to Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, there are plenty of options to choose from. So pack your paddles and balls and get ready to enjoy a game of pickleball while on the high seas.
But before you embark on your cruise, there are a few things to keep in mind. While some cruise ships have dedicated pickleball courts, others have shared spaces, meaning you may need to share the space with other activities and sports. Additionally, some cruise ships only offer pickleball at certain times of the day, so be sure to check the ship’s daily schedule to find out when you can play.
Another thing to keep in mind is that pickleball equipment may not be provided on all cruise ships, so you may need to bring your own. This includes paddles and balls, as well as proper athletic shoes and clothing. It’s always a good idea to check with your cruise line to see what equipment is provided and what you need to bring.
Overall, pickleball is a fun and exciting sport that’s perfect for all ages and skill levels. And with more and more cruise ships offering pickleball courts, you can enjoy the sport while exploring new destinations and enjoying all the amenities that a cruise has to offer.
