HAL-Holland America Line, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP) will stage the first professional pickleball invitational on a private island at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. The event will take place on March 13th, 2027, during Nieuw Statendam’s 7-day Eastern Caribbean: San Juan & St. Thomas cruise departing March 7th.
The event coincides with Holland America Line’s 30th anniversary of RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Professional players will compete on the island’s four new pickleball courts, combining the cruise itinerary with a dedicated sporting event.
Ahead of the invitational, Holland America will operate four Countdown Cruises featuring additional pickleball programming and opportunities to play on Half Moon Cay. PPA professionals will participate in activities including informal discussions, trivia, meet-and-greet sessions, onboard lessons and a pickleball clinic on the island.
The Countdown Cruises are scheduled aboard Nieuw Amsterdam on November 20th, 2026, Zuiderdam on December 12th, 2026, and Eurodam on January 2nd and January 23rd, 2027. Details of the participating professional players will be announced at a later date.
Holland America Line’s chief marketing officer Kacy Cole said the invitational was designed to combine the growing popularity of pickleball with the setting of Half Moon Cay, while PPA and MLP chief revenue officer Jacob Cohen noted that the event demonstrated the sport’s ability to be integrated into different environments and destinations.
The Private Island Invitational builds on Holland America Line’s existing fleetwide pickleball programme. Each ship offers at least one court with ocean views, along with equipment, beginner instruction and open-play sessions for passengers of different skill levels.