Holland America Line has been solely named because the Official Cruise Line of the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and is dedicated to increasing its pickleball expertise at sea for visitors.
All ships in the Holland America Line fleet characteristic pickleball courts with superb top-deck views that shall be refreshed by February 2023, together with including new PPA Tour accomplice logos. Beginning in February and rolling out fleet-wide by April 2023, complimentary newbie classes shall be supplied by shipboard instructors who will educate visitors the principles and fundamentals of enjoying pickleball, together with the place 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 excited to offer our guests an elevated pickleball experience as they travel to spectacular and scenic cruise destinations,” stated Kacy Cole, vice chairman of promoting 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.”
Along with shipboard activations, “How to Play Pickleball” tutorial movies shall be featured on in-stateroom TV programming. Guests will be capable to buy branded pickleball starter kits within the shipboard retail retailers beginning 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,” stated 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.”
In addition to shipboard activations, Holland America Line shall be featured on branded signage at land-based PPA tournaments throughout the U.S., PPA merchandise and tour promotional supplies.
Holland America Line shares a deeper reference to PPA past the sport — pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington state, a brief ferry trip from Seattle the place 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,” stated Theresa Haynie, a founding board member of Seattle Metro Pickleball Association and an International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association teacher. “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.”
For extra details about Holland America Line, seek the advice of a journey advisor, name 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or go to hollandamerica.com.