Holland America Adds Pickleball Courts At Private Caribbean Island
- Holland America Line has offered pickleball courts across its fleet of 11 ships.
- In 2025 the line added dedicated courts at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, its private Caribbean island.
- Four cruises running from 2026 into 2027 add PPA player appearances and organized play for passengers.
Courts Across the Fleet
Pickleball at sea is no longer a one-ship experiment. According to The Pickleball Weekly, pickleball courts are available across Holland America Line’s fleet of 11 ships. The line has been the exclusive cruise line partner of the PPA and Major League Pickleball starting in 2022.
A Private Island With Its Own Courts
In 2025, the line added dedicated pickleball courts at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, its private Caribbean island.
Countdown Cruises
From 2026 into 2027, four cruises will carry the Countdown Cruises label. Each one features appearances by PPA players and onboard programming that includes coffee chats, trivia and organized play. Passengers also get chances to play at Half Moon Cay.
A separate event is set for March 2027: an exclusive professional competition called the Private Island Invitational, held at Half Moon Cay on a Caribbean cruise.
Built for All Levels
Joe Chantry, Holland America’s Vice President of Entertainment & Enrichment, says both pickleball and cruising center on social connection. The programming is meant to suit competitive players, beginners and casual players alike, rather than turn a vacation into a tournament.
For recreational players, the Countdown Cruises add organized play and PPA player appearances to the voyage. Anyone planning a Caribbean cruise can ask Holland America about those dates.
