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Holland America Line and the Professional Pickleball Association: A Match Made in Pickleball Heaven

ByScott Sanfilippo

12/14/2022

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States and Holland America Line is the leader in cruising. So, it’s no surprise that these two have teamed up in an exciting new partnership that promises to take pickleball to new heights at sea.

All ships in the Holland America Line 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.
All ships in the Holland America Line 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.

Holland America Line has been named the Official Cruise Line of the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and is committed to providing its guests with an elevated pickleball experience. All ships in the Holland America Line fleet are equipped with top-deck pickleball courts that will be refreshed by February 2023, with the addition of new PPA Tour partner logos.

Starting in February 2023, shipboard instructors will be offering complimentary beginner lessons to guests, teaching them the rules and basics of pickleball. These lessons will be rolled out fleet-wide by April 2023, giving all guests the opportunity to learn how to play this popular sport.

A guest prepares to serve in a game of pickleball on board a Holland America Line ship. . 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.
A guest prepares to serve in a game of pickleball on board a Holland America Line ship. . 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.

Kacy Cole, vice president of marketing for Holland America Line, said, “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 excited to offer our guests an elevated pickleball experience as they travel to spectacular and scenic cruise destinations.”

In-stateroom TV programming will feature “How to Play Pickleball” tutorial videos and guests will be able to purchase branded pickleball starter kits in the shipboard retail shops starting in 2023.

Connor Pardoe, commissioner and CEO of the PPA Tour, said, “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. 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.”

In addition to 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.

Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington state, which is a short ferry ride from Seattle where Holland America Line is headquartered. This connection to pickleball runs deep and the sport is a fun way to make new friends, both locally and globally.

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