Cruise ships with pickleball courts have become increasingly popular among passengers. These ships, frequented by sports legends like NFL quarterback Tom Brady and NBA legend LeBron James, highlight the growing popularity of pickleball.
They not only foster Major League Pickleball but also spark widespread pickleball-mania across the nation. As these sports icons explore new interests post-career, their involvement enhances pickleball’s status and attracts teams and individuals alike to this dynamic and engaging sport.
This article covers all the essential details about pickleball on cruise ships, including which cruise lines provide it as a featured activity.
What Is Pickleball Courts on Cruise Ship?
Pickleball, blending elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, is played on a badminton court with specific dimensions and a pickleball net that is 34 inches high at the center. The center court is crucial in both badminton and pickleball.
Unlike the larger tennis court, a pickleball court has different surfaces and a unique size. The net in pickleball, set lower than in tennis, contributes to the game’s distinct playing experience.
Game play in pickleball involves players using a paddle to hit a Wiffle ball over the net. The ball, with its unique design featuring holes, affects the speed and trajectory during the game.
Points are scored by the serving team, and the sport can be played in doubles format, similar to tennis. This version of the game emphasizes teamwork and strategic play, as players aim to outmaneuver their opponents to gain points.
Best Cruise Ships With Pickleball Courts
Here are the cruise ships that have pickleball courts available for play.
1: Crystal Cruise Ships with Pickleball Courts
Crystal Cruises offers an exceptional experience for cruisers with its fleet featuring the Crystal Serenity and the Crystal Symphony. These cruise ships are renowned for their top amenities, including the best pickleball courts available at sea.
The courts on these ships have high-quality surfaces and are equipped with premium paddles. Passengers can enjoy playing pickleball in dedicated seating areas designed for comfort and convenience, making their time on the cruise ships even more enjoyable.
2: Cunard Cruise Ships with Pickleball Courts
On the majestic ocean liners like the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria, passengers can enjoy a variety of recreational activities including Wimbledon-style pickleball competitions on grass turf courts and paddle tennis matches.
These ships host pickleball competitions as well, providing racquets and balls for enthusiasts. On Cunard’s luxurious 3,000-passenger cruise ship, cruisers can enjoy a wide array of activities, from traditional archery through Archery GB’s program to the emerging sport of pickleball.
The ship boasts an impressive archery center equipped with bows and arrows, catering to both beginners and seasoned archers. Pickleball England has partnered with Cunard to offer pickleball on the ship’s designated courts, making it easy for passengers to engage in these exciting deck games.
3: Princess Cruise Ship with Pickleball Courts
Center Court areas up on Deck 18 aboard Coral Princess, Emerald Princess, Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, Royal Princess, Sky Princess, and Sun Princess are part of the Princess ships fleet, offering pickleball courts and other sports courts for passengers to enjoy.
These facilities are integrated into the ships’ program, providing various active pursuits across different areas of the ship.
4: Celebrity Cruise Ship with Pickleball Courts
Celebrity Cruises offers a range of ships including the Millennium Series (Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Infinity), Solstice Series (Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox), and the innovative Edge Series (Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond).
These ships feature pickleball courts among their sports court facilities, providing spaces for players to engage in this popular sport.
The Rooftop Garden and Sports Deck are prime deck locations where these court locations can be found, offering active pursuits for passengers throughout their cruise experience.
5: Holland America Cruise Ships with Pickleball Courts
In February 2023, Holland America Line’s fleet including the Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam, Volendam, Westerdam, Zaandam, and Zuiderdam will feature pickleball courts as part of their pickleball offerings for cruisers.
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour provides partner logos and instructors for these ships, offering beginner lessons and advanced shots in the sport.
This initiative is a new partnership aimed at enhancing the onboard experience for passengers interested in learning and playing pickleball, integrating the sport into the cruise line’s recreational program with tailored rules and facilities.
Holland America Line also offers instructional videos called “Learn to Play Pickleball” on the cabin TVs. Additionally, passengers have the option to purchase branded pickleball starter kits from the onboard shops during their cruise.
6: Royal Caribbean Cruise with Pickleball Courts
Royal Caribbean offers a fleet of impressive ships including Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.
Odyssey of the Seas features the indoor SeaPlex sports area, renowned for its versatile sports court setup, offering pickleball and other activities to enhance the onboard sport experience for passengers worldwide.
7: MSC Cruise Ships with Pickleball Courts
MSC Cruises offers a variety of ships including MSC Meraviglia, as well as the innovative MSC World America and MSC World Europa in its fleet. These ships feature pickleball as part of their sports program, providing activities for both kids and adults in the sports complex area onboard.
MSC Cruises integrates Z Active into its offerings, ensuring passengers aboard the brand-new upcoming ship MSC Euribia can enjoy active pursuits as part of their cruise experience.
8: Oceania Cruise Ships with Pickleball Courts
Oceania Cruises, known for its elegant voyages aboard ships like the Marina and Riviera, offers pickleball as part of its sports court amenities.
The Vista-class ships, including the Vista, feature dedicated pickleball courts on their spacious decks, providing top-notch equipment for enthusiasts. Whether on the Marina, Riviera, or other ships in the line, passengers can enjoy this engaging sport amidst luxurious surroundings.
9: AmaWaterways Cruise Ships with Pickleball Courts
AmaMagna, a standout vessel in the AmaWaterways fleet, sails the majestic Danube River and offers pickleball enthusiasts a unique experience with its dedicated pickleball court on the sundeck.
This innovative cruise line caters to active travelers, providing top-notch equipment and a spacious court layout complete with a net and perimeter net.
Passengers can enjoy the scenic river views while playing under the watchful eye of the ship’s wheelhouse, adding to the charm of their pickleball experience aboard the AmaMagna.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Carnival Ships Have Pickleball?
Carnival ships with pickleball courts include Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Venezia, and Carnival Vista.
Which Cruise Ship Has The Most Pickleball Courts?
As of now, the cruise ship with most pickleball courts is the MSC Seashore, which features a total of four dedicated courts onboard.
What Cruise Ships offer Pickleball?
Several cruise ships offer pickleball as part of their onboard activities. Some notable ones include:
- Carnival Breeze
- Carnival Celebration
- Carnival Horizon
- Carnival Jubilee
- Carnival Legend
- Carnival Miracle
- Carnival Panorama
- Carnival Pride
- Carnival Spirit
- Carnival Splendor
- Carnival Venezia
- Carnival Vista
These ships feature pickleball courts as part of their sports and recreation areas, providing passengers with the opportunity to enjoy this popular sport while at sea.
Do Any Cruise Ships Have Pickleball?
Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and Carnival Cruise Line are among the cruise lines that offer pickleball courts on their ships. The number and quality of these courts can vary depending on the ship, but many are regulation size and feature high-quality surfaces for a satisfying game experience.