NCL's Norwegian Epic to Host Tennis Cruise

Following on the heels of 2010's successful tennis cruises, Tennis Cruise is launching another voyage, toting tennis enthusiasts to the Sony Ericsson Open, followed by a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean aboard NCL's new Norwegian Epic.

Participants will play aboard the new ship as well as luxury tennis courts in the Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

Bob Lovinger, founder of Tennis Cruise, explains that his own family served as the inspiration for the tennis-inspired cruises, as he and his daughter love to watch and play the sport, while his wife and son have little interest—Tennis Cruise allows for significant "down-time," offering families or friends other activities apart from the competitie courts.

"It's certainly not a tennis boot-camp, but hopefully they will get enough to quench their tennis thirst," said Lovinger.

Based on the early returns, Tennis Cruise has reached a very broad audience both in terms of age and skill level. According to Lovinger, he has players that range in age from 16 to 85 and skill levels from beginners to advanced. The concept to this business, he adds, is that like golfers, tennis players want to play tennis whenever given the chance.

The Tennis Cruise to the Sony Ericsson Open begins on March 24 with two days at the Sony Ericsson Open followed by a seven day luxury cruise to St. Maartan, St. Thomas, and Nassau, Bahamas and will feature a soon-to-be-announced tennis legend.