America’s obsession with pickleball isn’t stopping. Last year, nearly 14 million people played pickleball in the United States, according to a 2023 study by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. That’s a growth rate of nearly 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 hype, and now the tourism industry is trying to cash in. From cruise lines and traditional resorts to pickleball vacation operators offering lessons in paradise, everyone seems to want a piece of the pie.
Here are some money-saving tips and the best places to look if you want to drink, drive, and drop off your car away from home.
1. “Dink” on a pickleball cruise
Nowhere is the growth of pickleball more evident than on cruise ships.
In 2022, Carnival Cruise A pickleball court was installed on the Carnival Conquest ship. Other companies followed suit. Norwegian Cruise Line offers dedicated courts on Norwegian Prime and Norwegian Viva ships, and Regent Seven Seas offers dedicated courts on Splendor, Explorer and Grandeur. Perhaps that's why the demand for cruises is so high.
These dedicated courts are important for experienced players who want to get in as many games as possible. Many major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Princess and Celebrity, offer pickleball, but only for a set time each day on mixed-use courts with other sports like volleyball and basketball.
Holland AmericaThe “exclusive cruise line of the Professional Pickleball Association,” has equipped its entire fleet of cruise ships with dedicated pickleball courts on the top deck. That means you can practice your drop shot in a glacial setting in the fjords of Alaska or on a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea. The cruise line offers free beginner lessons and organized tournaments throughout your stay at sea.
If you prefer river cruises, AmaWaterways has a dedicated pickleball court on the top deck of its AmaMagna ship, allowing pickleballers to play while floating down the Danube River through Central Europe.
If you don't want to travel with your own paddle and balls, most facilities offer public paddles. But let's be realistic: if you've made it this far, you'll probably be bringing your own paddle.
How much does it cost?
Cruise prices vary depending on length and amenities. A seven-day cruise with Carnival might cost less than $700 per person, while a seven-day luxury cruise on Regent Seven Seas could cost nearly $7,000.
If you're looking to offset this cost, consider a travel rewards credit card which allows you to earn points that you can redeem for cruises. With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardYou can pay for a cruise with your card and receive a statement credit when you redeem miles toward the purchase. You'll also earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all eligible purchases, and new cardholders can receive a huge sign-up bonus: Get a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months of account opening, or the equivalent of $750 in travel. (see rates and fees).
2. “Drive” to luxury or all-inclusive pickleball resorts
If floating resorts aren't your thing, consider taking your pickleball collection south of the border to a land-based tropical paradise.
Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, the Bahamas, St. Lucia and Antigua all offer dedicated pickleball courts, with new courts being installed in other locations. Many resorts host tournaments and have in-house professionals to provide instruction during your trip. The entire Sandals Resorts portfolio is all-inclusive, so you can think more about your drink and worry less about where to find your next fruity beverage.
Or, check out Turks and Caicos, where you can find permanent courts at Beaches Resort, Club Med Turkoise, and Seven Stars Resort and Spa. Pickleball has become such a popular sport that it's even listed on the islands' tourism website's “things to do” page.
You can also find pickleball courts at resorts in Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. If you're traveling with a pickleball team, try calling the company to negotiate a group rate for the stay.
How much does it cost?
The cost of a resort stay varies depending on the room booked, amenities offered, location and length of stay. A seven-night stay at a Sandals resort can cost between $4,000 and $7,000 for two people, but non-inclusive resorts often cost much less.
If you're looking to book a stay at a pickleball-focused resort, consider getting a credit card that allows you to earn flexible travel rewards. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card won Chase Ultimate Rewards which can be used to book selected resorts through the Chase Travel Portalwhich is powered by Expedia. This means you can access Expedia's travel inventory through the Chase portal. With enough points, you can also book your plane ticket and transportation.
3. “Ditch” on a Group Pickleball Vacation
The activity-based tourism industry is growing to meet demand for the country's fastest-growing sport. That includes the rise of many white-glove holiday organisers who help bring pickle lovers together.
“The only thing you have to worry about is your flight,” says Georgia Johns, director of operations at Pickleball Getaways, a pickleball-focused vacation planner. Once you book your trip on their website, the company takes care of the rest, including ground transportation, food, drinks, and accommodations at your destination.
The company was created by professional pickleball players Ben Johns and Dekel Bar with the goal of combining the fun of an international vacation with high-quality pickleball training and competition in locations such as Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and Antigua.
How much does it cost?
Seven-day trips with Pickleball Getaways cost between $2,500 and $4,500 per person depending on location, which can include up to 80 guests plus four to seven professional players or coaches to provide lessons.
Since flights aren't covered, consider using your airline miles to reduce your expenses. The easiest way to earn miles is to use a co-branded credit card from an airline that serves your local airport.
Delta travelers may want to consider the American Express Delta SkyMiles® Gold Card. You'll earn 2x miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, restaurants worldwide, and U.S. supermarkets (see rates and fees). New cardholders can also benefit from the following welcome offer: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you make $3,000 in eligible purchases with your new Card in your first 6 months of Card membership. Conditions apply.
