Pickleball enthusiasts will have a new way to combine competitive sports with Caribbean travel next year. Holland America Line has partnered with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) to organise the first professional pickleball tournament on a private island. The event will coincide with the 30th anniversary of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, offering cruise passengers a unique sporting experience at one of the Caribbean’s emerging pickleball travel destinations.
Key Takeaways
Holland America Line is launching the first professional pickleball tournament on a private island, Half Moon Cay, in March 2027, as part of its 30th-anniversary celebrations.
- Holland America Line, in partnership with PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball, will host the inaugural professional pickleball tournament on its private island, Half Moon Cay, on March 13, 2027.
- Four ‘Countdown cruises’ will precede the main event, offering passengers opportunities for pickleball-related activities and interaction with professional players.
- This event expands Holland America’s existing onboard pickleball offerings, which include courts, equipment, and lessons on all its ships.
Private island tournament confirmed
Scheduled for March 13, 2027, the Private Island Invitational will take place on four newly installed pickleball courts at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Professional players will compete during Holland America’s seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Nieuw Statendam, departing March 7 and visiting San Juan and St. Thomas. Kacy Cole, the cruise line’s Chief Marketing Officer, described the tournament as an opportunity to combine one of the world’s fastest-growing sports with the island’s natural beauty.
Meanwhile, PPA and MLP Chief Revenue Officer Jacob Cohen highlighted the unusual setting as proof of pickleball’s versatility. The competition also forms part of Holland America’s anniversary celebrations, marking three decades of welcoming visitors to its award-winning Caribbean destination.
Four countdown cruises announced
Ahead of the main tournament, Holland America will introduce four special Countdown cruises featuring professional PPA players and dedicated pickleball activities. Passengers can participate in onboard lessons, coffee meet-and-greets, quizzes and professional-led clinics at Half Moon Cay. The scheduled departures include:
- November 20, 2026: Nieuw Amsterdam, nine-day Southern Caribbean.
- December 12, 2026: Zuiderdam, seven-day Western Caribbean.
- January 2, 2027: Eurodam, seven-day Eastern Caribbean.
- January 23, 2027: Eurodam, seven-day Eastern Caribbean.
Additional details about participating professionals will be announced later. This initiative expands Holland America’s existing fleet-wide pickleball programme, which provides at least one ocean-view court on every ship. Available equipment, beginner lessons and open-play sessions already allow passengers of different skill levels to enjoy the sport throughout their cruises.
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