Holland America Line Named Official Cruise Line of Professional Pickleball Association
Holland America Line is upping our game thanks to an exciting new partnership with the fastest growing sport in the U.S. Imagine a pickleball court where the vast ocean or an Alaskan glacier is the backdrop for your match. As the exclusive Official Cruise Line of the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), that’s what you can find on Holland America Line.
All ships in our fleet feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views that will be refreshed by February 2023, including adding new PPA Tour partner logos. Beginning in February and rolling out fleet-wide by April 2023, complimentary beginner lessons will be offered by shipboard instructors who will teach guests the rules and basics of playing pickleball, including where the “kitchen” is and what it means to hit a “dink” shot.
“We like to say that travel unites us, but sports do that as well, and Holland America Line is proud to be the first and exclusive cruise line partner of the PPA. We’re proud to offer our guests an elevated pickleball experience as they travel to spectacular and scenic cruise destinations,” said Kacy Cole, vice president of marketing for Holland America Line. “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.”
In addition to live instruction, “How to Play Pickleball” tutorial videos will be featured on in-stateroom TV programming. Guests will be able to purchase branded pickleball starter kits in the shipboard retail shops starting in 2023.
“Pickleball has become immensely popular among travel and leisure business categories, because it is uniquely accessible, compatible with a variety of brands, and transcends a wide spectrum of age groups and lifestyles,” said Connor Pardoe, commissioner and CEO of the PPA Tour. “Holland America Line has embraced and committed to pickleball in a very exciting way and will bring engaging, 360-degree collaborations between its cruise line and the sport we all love.”
Along with the shipboard activations, Holland America Line will be featured on branded signage at land-based PPA tournaments across the U.S., PPA merchandise and tour promotional materials.
Holland America Line shares a deeper connection with PPA beyond the game — pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington state, a short ferry ride from Seattle where Holland America Line is headquartered.
“To play pickleball is to make new friends, from around the neighborhood or around the world. This ageless sport welcomes players young and old, fast or slow,” said Theresa Haynie, a founding board member of Seattle Metro Pickleball Association and an International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association instructor. “It’s a fun game to teach and even more fun to learn. Now with pickleball on board ships with this wonderful partnership, cruisers and players have one more adventure to experience and take home with them.”
If you are a pickleball fan, you’ll be able to take your land-game to the sea … and if you’re new, we look forward to introducing you to this exciting sport!
So excited to play on our cruise this March!
Will there be pickleball on Nieuw Amsterdam – February 12-19, 2023?
Who is the P Ball going on the nieuw statendam going on ship Feb. 18
This is GREAT, HAL. I played pickleball last February on the Rotterdam and loved it. It is one of the MAIN reasons we rebooked the same ship for this February.
1.) Windscreens are needed. Many days it is just too windy.
2.) A sign up system is needed when you arrive at the court. Too often, level 4+ players will hog the courts.
3.) Extend the court hours, please!. 1.5 to 2 hours per day is not enough.
4.) Be sure that 2 courts are always available during playing hours.
Many thanks. If you can get this right, it will be a major attraction for HAL bookings.
Thank you! We are making changes to the program that will include a sign-up system and extended hours. Enjoy!
Delighted to see Holland America partnering with PPA. I was able to play last year (2021/22) during a Christmas/New Year’s Caribbean cruise on Nieuw Statendam. I don’t think I would book a cruise unless there were pickleball courts on board. Can’t wait for our next adventure with Holland America.
We love Pickleball on Holland America, this is us playing on the ship.
https://youtu.be/9BcODMHB_6g
Great news! Now if you could do something about the incredible winds on the courts! Having non-plastic paddles for guests to use would be good too.
Is pickleball equipment going to be available to use on board ship or should we bring our own? We are experienced players.
There is equipment on board, but if you prefer your own you are welcome to bring it!
I played p’ball this past fall on the Zuiderdam’s 45 day cruise to Hawai’i and the south Pacific. The ship had one court and supplied some paddles and balls. I brought my own paddle. I truly appreciate HAL’s relationship w/ PPA and that they have put or are putting courts on all ships. It’s a great game which I recommend to any and all. Two things I learned 1) playing on a ship that is underway will certainly up your wind game (or not); and 2) you’re gonna need more courts, HAL (LOL!). Seriously, thx!
As a Star Mariner and avid pickleball player, am so excited with this new partnership between HAL and PPA. I took three HAL cruises last year and especially enjoyed playing pickleball on the newest Rotterdam ship. Kudos to HAL to be forefront in this regard as I look forward to playing pickleball whilst enjoying my next fabulous cruise on the Holland America Line.
Where are you sailing… Europe, Mediterranean?
We sailed with you to Alaska in July…
We played… when it wasn’t too windy!
Are there Pickleball dedicated sailings…
Interested in Europe . Mediterranean…
We sailed with you July to Alaska!
Hello, at this time, all cruises have Pickleball. In the future we might have dedicated sailings, so please check back.
I have played pickleball on three cruises already with Holland America. I am glad to hear that there will be official recognition and training for new players. Playing in Alaska, and twice going through the Panama Canal were great experiences. Play ON!
I will be cruising feb 4 11 23 to the western Caribbean will their be designated times to play pickleball i noticed that basketball uses the same courts any mini tournaments planned thank s marc cutler
We are planning on creating a scheduling guideline to block out time so Pickler’s are able to play without other events in the way. That should be implemented soon.
We were pleased to have pickleball equipment and people who knew how to play, on the Zaandam Grand Africa Cruise.
A staff member was available, also, at certain times and days, usually in the morning. However, we could play whenever we were available because the equipment was right there. We appreciated not having to take our paddles and balls with us.
Thanks
I am soo glad HAL is doing this. I am 5 Star and travel them all the time. I played on the mixed line court on Koningsdam and loved it.
At 76 years young I play this regularly and excited for the changes HAL is making. I am also glad instructions will be available for people that don’t know how to play..
Thank you.
Will I be able to play Pickel ball I am crushing on February 18 on Nieuw Statend and do you need to bring your own paddles.
Is the Eurodam ship February 4th Cruise going to be ready also, do we have to bring our own paddles and balls
Hi Judy, the courts are on board already, although it might not be fully dedicated to pickleball by your cruise. There will be pickleball offered and you don’t need to bring your paddles. However, we will not have lessons yet. Enjoy!
Will the MS Oosterdam have a court or courts by mid-February?
Hi Amy, the courts are on board already, although it might not be fully dedicated to pickleball by your cruise. There will be pickleball offered and you don’t need to bring your paddles. However, we will not have lessons yet. Enjoy!
I played on the Koningsdam enroute to Hawaii return and in Alaska – court surface is good but often needs to be dried off in the morning, otherwise its slippery. Hoping this new partnership increases the quality of both the paddles and balls supplied (I brought my own). The ship I was on could use a paddle rack, to determine “next to play”. Please consider wind proofing/minimizing the court area – the winds (even in port) often made play almost impossible ( still played as thats what pickleballers do ) . Will there be clinics or skills classes for more experienced players?
Thank you for all of these recommendations. At this time, classes are for beginners. However, that could change in the future.
We are doing a cruise in March on the noordam to New Zealand. Will there be a pickleball court?
There is!
Cruising on Eurodam Jan 15 to Panama. I’m so excited to be able to play pickleball.
Does it cost you to play Pickel ball do u need your our racquet
Do you need to sign up or can you just show up and play.
Check the daily program. Typically it is show up, but if it’s popular they might ask gusts to sign up. They will let you know on board. Enjoy!
It is complimentary and you do not need to being your own racquet.