Written by Lisa Naumu – Certified Pickleball Coach, and Champion
I am excited to share a pivotal moment in my journey: After thorough consideration and evaluating the achievements and service records of multiple travel agencies, I am delighted to announce my partnership with the premier licensed and insured travel agency specializing in Pickleball vacations, Connection To Pickleball Travel: www.connectiontopickleballtravel.com
You are invited to join us on our inaugural cruise with like-minded friends who play pickleball aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, setting sail on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2025.
Connection to Pickleball Travel is redefining travel experiences. Unlike typical trips, our cruises and resort vacations seamlessly blend the pleasure of travel with the excitement of Pickleball, offering meticulously planned itineraries that go beyond ordinary sightseeing. Immerse yourself in local cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant communities across our expanding list of destinations, all while enjoying exhilarating Pickleball matches with fellow enthusiasts!
What sets us apart? Booking with Connection to Pickleball Travel means more than just arranging a trip—it means entrusting your journey to seasoned travel professionals with over 40 years of expertise in travel arrangements and traveler protection. When you travel with us, expect a carefully curated schedule that seamlessly integrates top-tier Pickleball facilities with thrilling excursions. Whether on the court or exploring ashore, we are dedicated to ensuring your travel satisfaction and safety.
Highlights of the February 14th, 2025 Valentine’s Cruise:
• Private Instruction with Lisa Naumu: Enjoy three days of exclusive classroom and courtside instruction onboard with our pro, Lisa, starting February 15th.
• Exclusive Excursion to an Oceanview Pickleball Facility in Cabo San Lucas: Experience a special outing with transportation provided on February 16th.
Onboard Pickleball Courts: Three courts have been reserved for our group:
• February 17th in the Port of Mazatlan, from 8:00-10:00 am
• February 18th in the Port of Puerto Vallarta, from 8:00-10:00 am
Additionally, guests can use courts on the ship for open play at other times, on a first-come, first-served basis, free of charge.
Join us for an unforgettable journey where every moment is crafted to amplify your Pickleball passion and enrich your travel experience. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity—secure your spot today and embark on your dream Pickleball adventure with us!
Basic Pickleball Instructions & Rules
Pickleball is a fun paddle game played either as doubles or singles. The same rules apply for both.
You score a point when your side is serving and the opponent faults (makes a mistake). You continue to serve and score points until your side faults. Once the serving side faults, the serve goes to the opposing side. When playing doubles, the serving side gets to make two faults before the serve goes to the opposing side.
When returning the serve, the opposing team must make a ground stroke (letting the ball bounce once before hitting). Then the serving team must also let the ball bounce before returning it. This is the Double Bounce Rule. After these first two returns, volleying the ball (hitting it before it has bounced) is allowed.
You cannot volley a ball while standing within the 7-foot non-volley zone next to the net, also referred to as “the kitchen.” You can only hit a ball from the kitchen if it has bounced there. This prevents smashes from the net. Games are played to 11 points, and you must win by 2 points.
DOUBLES SERVING FAULTS: When playing doubles, both players on each team get to serve until they commit a fault. Once the first server on the team loses the serve, their teammate is allowed to serve. They move to serve from the same side of the court their partner had last served from. When the second server on the team loses the serve, the serve goes to the opposing team. The only exception is the first serve of each game, when only one player from the starting team gets to serve before it passes to the other team.
