Holland America Sets Pickleball Invitational for 2027 Caribbean Cruise
The event aboard Nieuw Statendam will bring professional players to four new courts at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
Holland America Line, the Professional Pickleball Association Tour and Major League Pickleball have announced their first Private Island Invitational, scheduled during a seven-day Caribbean cruise departing March 7, 2027.
Nieuw Statendam’s Eastern Caribbean: San Juan & St. Thomas itinerary will feature pickleball play at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, on March 13. Professional players will participate on four new pickleball courts at the destination.
Ahead of the invitational, Holland America plans four Caribbean Countdown Cruises offering special onboard pickleball programming, play at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, and appearances by PPA players. The series begins with a nine-day Southern Caribbean sailing aboard Nieuw Amsterdam on Nov. 20, 2026. Zuiderdam will host a seven-day Western Caribbean: Greater Antilles and Mexico cruise on Dec. 12, 2026. Eurodam will operate seven-day Eastern Caribbean: Amber Cove and Bahamas departures on Jan. 2 and Jan. 23, 2027.
Holland America says each ship in its fleet has at least one pickleball court, along with equipment, beginner instruction and open-play opportunities. The cruise line became the PPA’s official cruise line partner in 2022.
Other upgrades at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay include a revamped Lobster Shack, expanded beach cabanas and mobile food-and-beverage buggies serving guests along the shoreline.
