Holland America to Host First Pro Pickleball Invitational on a Private Island
Holland America Line will host the first professional pickleball invitational ever held on a private island, staging the “Private Island Invitational” with the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and Major League Pickleball on RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay during a March 2027 Caribbean sailing.
Guests booked on Nieuw Statendam’s seven-day Eastern Caribbean: San Juan and St. Thomas cruise departing March 7, 2027, will get a full day of pro pickleball on the island on March 13, played on four new courts built for the event. Four “Countdown Cruises” sailing from November 2026 through January 2027 will build up to the invitational with appearances by PPA players and special onboard programming.
The invitational
The Private Island Invitational was announced September 30 by Holland America Line, the PPA Tour, and Major League Pickleball. The competition takes place during a scheduled call at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas, and arrives as Holland America celebrates the 30th anniversary of the island.
“At Holland America Line, we believe experiences are too good to hurry through,” said Kacy Cole, the line’s chief marketing officer. “That’s why bringing the first-ever professional pickleball invitational to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay feels like a perfect fit, combining the excitement of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports with the unmatched beauty of one of the Caribbean’s most extraordinary islands in a way only Holland America can.“
“This exciting new offering from the PPA, MLP and Holland America Line, the Private Island Invitational competition at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, shows how pickleball is a sport that can truly be enjoyed anywhere,” said Jacob Cohen, chief revenue officer for PPA and MLP. “We can’t think of a better setting for a professional invitational than next to the pristine beaches of this tranquil private island.“
Four Countdown Cruises
Leading up to the March invitational, Holland America will run four select Caribbean sailings with special pickleball programming and island play at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, each featuring appearances by PPA professionals. Programming includes coffee chats with a PPA pro, pickleball-themed trivia, meet-and-greets, onboard lessons with a PPA pro, and a pro clinic on the island. The line says specific players for each sailing will be announced in the coming months.
The Countdown Cruises are:
- 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
Together the four sailings add up to 30 cruise days of pro appearances and pickleball programming building toward a single invitational day on the island.
Pickleball across the fleet
The invitational builds on a pickleball program Holland America already runs fleet-wide. Every ship in the 11-vessel fleet has at least one pickleball court with ocean views, and the line provides equipment, beginner instruction, and open play for guests at all skill levels.
Why it matters
The announcement lands as cruise lines compete harder on two fronts at once: what happens on their private islands and what happens on board between ports. A ticketed pro sports event on a private island is a new combination, and it gives Holland America a themed hook for five sailings across two seasons while feeding the line’s 30th anniversary celebration at Half Moon Cay. For travelers, the practical effect is a choice: book the March 7 Nieuw Statendam sailing to watch the pros compete, or pick one of the four Countdown Cruises for hands-on time with PPA players through lessons and clinics.
Questions About the Pickleball Invitational
Do I need to be an experienced player to enjoy these cruises?
No. Holland America provides beginner instruction, equipment, and open play on every ship, and the Countdown Cruises add lessons and pro clinics designed for all skill levels. The invitational itself is a professional competition staged for guests to watch during the island day.
Can I just watch the invitational without playing?
Yes. The event is set up as a spectator competition on the island’s four new courts during the March 13 call at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Guests on the March 7 Nieuw Statendam sailing can watch the pros compete as part of the island day.
Which professional players will appear?
The line has not named them yet. Holland America says the specific PPA professionals appearing on each Countdown Cruise will be announced in the coming months.
How do I book the invitational sailing or a Countdown Cruise?
Through a travel advisor, by calling 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425), or at hollandamerica.com. The invitational sailing departs March 7, 2027, aboard Nieuw Statendam.
