Cruise Line to Host First Pickleball Tournament on Private Island

If you love pickleball and cruising, the latest news from Holland America Line might make you want to check your calendar.

The cruise line just announced the first-ever Private Island Invitational, bringing professional pickleball competition directly to the newly branded and upgraded RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in March 2027.

Here is a breakdown of what this first-ever event means for HAL cruisers and pickleball fans.

A Private Island First

The tournament takes place on March 13, 2027, during a 7-day Eastern Caribbean sailing aboard Nieuw Statendam departing March 7.

Professional athletes from the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) will face off on four brand-new courts built directly on the island.

We don’t yet have the details on who exactly will be participating in this tournament, but Holland America is expected to release the roster of PPA pros in the coming months.

The date for the event is a big deal because it also marks the 30^th anniversary of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

The PPA Partnership & Fleetwide Play

The cruise line was one of the first to embrace the popularity of pickleball. This announcement expands on a partnership that began in 2022, when Holland America Line became the official cruise line partner of the PPA.

Since then, Holland America has gone all-in on the popular sport, adding courts to every ship in the fleet:

• Top-Deck Courts: Every Holland America ship features top-deck courts.
• Complimentary Gear & Lessons: Guests can borrow paddles and balls for free or join complimentary beginner clinics to learn basic shots like dinks and third-shot drops.
• Open Play at Sea: Daily open play sessions make it easy to meet fellow cruisers for a friendly match.

Major Upgrades at Half Moon Cay

The four new pickleball courts on the private island are part of a major upgrade process for RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

Apart from the new pickleball courts at the updated sports complex, guests will find a revamped Lobster Shack, expanded beach cabanas, and mobile food and beverage buggies serving up cold drinks along the shoreline.

Four “Countdown Cruises”

Can’t wait until March 2027? Holland America is hosting four Countdown Cruises starting in late 2026.

These sailings feature onboard appearances by PPA pros, coffee chats, pickleball trivia, shipboard lessons, and dedicated clinics on the island:

• Nov. 20, 2026: 9-day Southern Caribbean (Nieuw Amsterdam)
• Dec. 12, 2026: 7-day Western Caribbean (Zuiderdam)
• Jan. 2, 2027: 7-day Eastern Caribbean (Eurodam)
• Jan. 23, 2027: 7-day Eastern Caribbean (Eurodam)