Holland America Announces Exclusive Pickleball Tournament On Private Island

Holland America Line has announced plans to host an exclusive pickleball tournament at its private island destination in the Bahamas, with passengers on a selected Caribbean cruise in March 2027 being offered the opportunity to attend.

The Private Island Invitational will take place at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, as part of the cruise line’s partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA).

The event forms part of a wider programme of pickleball activities planned across five Caribbean sailings between November 2026 and March 2027, although attendance at the island tournament will be restricted to passengers travelling on one particular departure.

Holland America has confirmed that places will be limited and that guests wishing to attend must purchase a separate event ticket in addition to booking the qualifying cruise.

Only One Caribbean Sailing Will Offer Tournament Access

The Private Island Invitational will be available exclusively to passengers booked on Nieuw Statendam’s seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing on 7th March 2027.

The itinerary, marketed as Eastern Caribbean: San Juan & St. Thomas, includes a visit to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, where the tournament will be held.

Passengers hoping to attend will need to meet two requirements: they must be booked on the qualifying sailing and must also purchase a ticket for the event.

Holland America has not yet announced ticket prices or confirmed when sales will open. The cruise line has indicated that tickets will be available through its MyCruise platform, with passengers encouraged to register following their cruise booking.

The company has also not disclosed the tournament’s full schedule, competition format or whether professional pickleball players will participate.

Although the event is being organised in partnership with the PPA, Holland America has not confirmed whether passengers will be able to compete in the tournament or whether attendance will be limited to spectators.

The March event coincides with celebrations marking 30 years of Half Moon Cay as a cruise destination.

Five Cruises To Feature Special Pickleball Activities

While the Private Island Invitational is restricted to the March departure, Holland America is introducing additional pickleball programming on four earlier Caribbean cruises.

The programme begins in November 2026 and continues into January 2027 before concluding with the March sailing.

The five participating departures are:

Each sailing will feature special onboard pickleball experiences, building on the sporting facilities already available across Holland America’s fleet.

The cruise line is the Official Cruise Line Partner of the PPA and has installed at least one ocean-view pickleball court on every ship.

These courts are located on the ships’ upper decks, allowing passengers to play while at sea or during their cruise.

Paddles are provided onboard, enabling guests to participate without necessarily bringing their own equipment.

The additional programming is intended to expand the existing pickleball offering, although specific activities and schedules for the individual departures have not been detailed.

Four New Courts Added To Half Moon Cay

The tournament announcement follows improvements to the sporting facilities at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, including the addition of four dedicated pickleball courts.

The new courts are situated within the island’s sports area, alongside facilities and activities including basketball, volleyball, football and tai chi.

Visitors will be able to use the courts during their time ashore, with opportunities to play recreationally or take lessons with a sports director.

The facilities extend Holland America’s existing pickleball programme beyond its ships, giving passengers another opportunity to participate during Caribbean itineraries that include the private island.

The investment also forms part of wider changes being introduced at Half Moon Cay during its 30th anniversary year.

Holland America is expanding the destination’s beach facilities, with new and refreshed amenities designed to accommodate guests visiting the island.

Among the additions is The Beach Club, scheduled to debut during the Caribbean season beginning in October 2026.

Other improvements include refreshed cabanas and day beds, additional beach chairs and an adults-only pool experience.

The destination will also offer activities and experiences such as rum tastings, Caribbean teatime and live steel drum music.

Holland America says nearly all of its 2026-2027 Caribbean cruises will include a visit to the enhanced private island.

The new pickleball courts are among the additions intended to broaden the range of activities available to passengers who want alternatives to spending the day on the beach.

For guests interested in the Private Island Invitational, however, the choice of sailing remains particularly important.

Passengers travelling on the four earlier pickleball-themed cruises will have access to their respective onboard activities, but those departures do not include admission opportunities for the March tournament.

Only guests sailing aboard Nieuw Statendam on 7th March 2027 will be eligible to purchase tickets for the event, subject to availability.

Further information about ticket pricing, the tournament schedule and the activities planned for participating passengers is expected to be announced ahead of the sailing.