Holland America Line has announced that RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay will be home to the first-ever professional pickleball invitational on a private island, and will be offering guests the opportunity to combine a Caribbean vacation with pickleball.
“At Holland America Line, we believe experiences are too good to hurry through,” said Kacy Cole, Holland America Line’s chief marketing officer.
“That’s why bringing the first-ever professional pickleball invitational to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay feels like a perfect fit, combining the excitement of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports with the unmatched beauty of one of the Caribbean’s most extraordinary islands in a way only Holland America can,” added Cole.
Holland America Line, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) said that the first “Private Island Invitational” will take place during a Caribbean voyage departing March 7, 2027.
“This exciting new offering from the PPA, MLP and Holland America Line, the Private Island Invitational competition at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, shows how pickleball is a sport that can truly be enjoyed anywhere,” said Jacob Cohen, chief revenue officer for PPA & MLP.
The event comes as Holland America Line celebrates the 30th anniversary of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, the company said in a press release.
The Nieuw Statendam’s seven-day “Eastern Caribbean: San Juan & St. Thomas” cruise will include a day of pickleball play on March 13 on the island.
The invitational will feature professional players on RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay’s four new pickleball courts.
Leading up to the event, the cruise line will host four Countdown Cruises featuring onboard pickleball programming, allowing guests to meet pros and celebrate the sport before the Invitational.
Specific details about the pros on each cruise will be announced in the coming months.
The Countdown Cruises include:
- November 20, 2026: Nine-day “Southern Caribbean” on the Nieuw Amsterdam
- December 12, 2026: Seven-day “Western Caribbean: Greater Antilles and Mexico” on the Zuiderdam
- January 2, 2027: Seven-day “Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove and Bahamas” on the Eurodam, and
- January 23, 2027: Seven-day “Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove and Bahamas” on the Eurodam.
The Private Island Invitational at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay builds on Holland America Line’s popular onboard pickleball program, available across the fleet.
Every ship features at least one pickleball court with ocean views, plus equipment, beginner instruction and open play, so guests of all skill levels can enjoy the sport.
