More than fifty players from across the UK joined members of Swindon Pickleball recently swapping their usual sports halls for the Norwegian Fjords as they joined Swindon Travel Hub onboard MSC Virtuosa for a special pickleball cruise experience.
The group travelled on a seven-night sailing to the Norwegian Fjords, visiting the stunning destinations of Stavanger, Haugesund and Kristiansand while also enjoying organised pickleball sessions onboard the ship throughout the cruise.
The trip combined sightseeing, social events and sport, giving players the opportunity to experience one of Europe’s most popular cruise itineraries while continuing to enjoy the rapidly growing sport of pickleball alongside fellow players from Swindon.
MSC Virtuosa, one of MSC Cruises’ flagship vessels, provided the perfect setting for the trip with its extensive entertainment, dining and leisure facilities helping create a memorable experience both on and off the ship.
During the cruise, guests explored the picturesque streets and waterfronts of Stavanger, discovered the coastal charm of Haugesund and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of Kristiansand, all while taking in the dramatic scenery of the Norwegian Fjords.
Organised pickleball sessions onboard also proved hugely popular, helping bring the travelling group together and creating a unique sporting holiday experience for players of all ages and abilities.
Swindon Pickleball organiser Andrew Careswell said: “We had an incredible time onboard MSC Virtuosa and the feedback from everyone who joined us has been fantastic. It was brilliant seeing so many people enjoying pickleball together while also experiencing somewhere as beautiful as the Norwegian Fjords. The whole trip ran smoothly from start to finish and we are already looking forward to organising another cruise in the future.”
Swindon Travel Hub joint owner Shaun Jones added: “This cruise showed just how well sport and travel can work together. MSC Cruises were fantastic to work with throughout and helped make the whole experience easy to organise for our group. Seeing more than fifty people from Swindon enjoying themselves onboard was brilliant and we are excited to work with MSC Cruises again on future pickleball cruise events.”
Swindon Pickleball’s rapid growth across the town also continues to gather momentum, with the sport attracting increasing numbers of players of all ages and abilities. The organisation is preparing to host another major pickleball festival in West Swindon in just a few weeks’ time, which is expected to bring more than 200 players into the town for the event. A further festival is also already planned for September as interest in the sport continues to rise locally. Organisers hope the events will not only continue growing pickleball in Swindon but also provide a boost to local businesses and hospitality venues welcoming visiting players and spectators.
Following the success of the Norwegian Fjords sailing, Swindon Pickleball and Swindon Travel Hub are already exploring plans for future cruises as interest in pickleball holidays continues to grow.
