First in a series The American obsession with pickleball rages on. Last year, nearly 14 million people played pickleball in the U.S.
, according to a 2023 study by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. That’s a growth rate of almost 224% over the past three years, easily making pickleball the fastest-growing sport in the country since 2020. Entrepreneurs and professional athletes have gotten in on the craze, and now, the travel industry is trying to capitalize.
From cruise lines and traditional resorts to pickleball-specific vacation planners offering coaching in paradise, everyone seems to want a piece of the pickle pie. Here are some money-saving tips and top places to look if you want to dink, drive and drop away from home. 1.
'Dink' on a pickleball cruise Nowhere is the growth of pickleball more evident than on cruise ships. WHAT TO KNOW In 2022, Carnival Cruise Line installed a dedicated pickleball court on the Carnival Conquest ship. Other companies have followed suit.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers dedicated courts on the Norwegian Prime and Norwegian Viva vessels, and Regent Seven Seas has dedicated courts on the Splendor, Explorer and Grandeur. Perhaps that's why cruise demand is so high. From breaking news to special features and documentaries, the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you.
By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . Those dedicated courts are important for experienced players looking to get in as many games as possib.