Holland America Line Hosts 1st Pro Pickleball Invitational on a Private Island

The pickleball takeover of cruising seems complete with news that Holland America Line is set to host the first-ever Professional Pickleball Association – yes, there’s a Professional Pickleball Association! – competition on a private island. 

The Professional Pickleball Association Invitational takes place in March, 2027 on Holland America Line’s private island beach resort in The Bahamas, Half Moon Cay, during a special Caribbean cruise. 

The invitational will feature professional players on RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay’s four new pickleball courts. 

The event comes as Holland America Line celebrates the 30th anniversary of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, marking three decades of memorable beach front experiences on the award-winning private island. 

The pickleball invitational is the latest example of how the private island continues to evolve to provide HAL cruise guests with not only one of the Caribbean’s most spectacular cruise line private island beaches (a stunning, miles-long, ‘half-moon’ beach that gives guests on the beach the perfect view of their ship at anchor) but the latest in leisure activities. 

When Half Moon Cay debuted, pickleball didn’t exist, and now it’s one of the fastest-growing activities in North America – and part of the shipboard experience of many both ocean and river cruise lines!

HAL Countdown Cruises Serve up Pickleball Fun

Four Countdown Cruises between November, 2026 and the event let more HAL cruise travelers get involved, with PPA player appearances, exclusive onboard pickleball programming – and opportunities for cruise travelers themselves to play on the line’s private island on brand new courts. Countdown Cruise guests will enjoy exclusive pickleball experiences, including coffee chats with the pros, trivia and pickleball play.

 The Countdown Cruises include:

• Nov. 20, 2026 — 9-day Southern Caribbean, Nieuw Amsterdam
• Dec. 12, 2026 — 7-day Western Caribbean: Greater Antilles and Mexico, Zuiderdam
• Jan. 2, 2027 — 7-day Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove and Bahamas, Eurodam
• Jan. 23, 2027 — 7-day Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove and Bahamas, Eurodam

Guests will enjoy up-close access to the players at events, including coffee chats with a PPA pro, pickleball-themed trivia, meet-and-greet with a PPA pro, onboard lessons with a PPA pro and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay PPA pro clinic.

Plus, Nieuw Statendam’s seven-day Eastern Caribbean: San Juan & St. Thomas cruise will include an unforgettable day of pickleball play on March 13 on the island. 

Fleetwide Pickleball 

The Private Island Invitational at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay builds on Holland America Line’s popular onboard pickleball program, available across the fleet of 11 HAL ships. Every ship features at least one pickleball court with ocean views, provided equipment, beginner instruction and open play, giving guests of all skill levels the opportunity to enjoy one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

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Image courtesy of Holland America Line

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