If you love pickleball, this is the cruise to be on.
On March 13, 2027, Holland America and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) host the first-ever professional pickleball invitational on a private island: the Private Island Invitational at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay™ in the Bahamas.
It’s available on just one sailing: the 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Nieuw Statendam, departing Fort Lauderdale on March 7, 2027.
You’ll visit Grand Turk, San Juan and St. Thomas, then finish the week on Holland America’s private island, where four brand-new pickleball courts sit steps from the beach.
The Event Sailing at a Glance
| Ship | Nieuw Statendam |
| Departs | Fort Lauderdale, Sunday, March 7, 2027 |
| Ports | Grand Turk · San Juan · St. Thomas · Half Moon Cay |
| Event day | Saturday, March 13, 2027 |
| Fares from | $877 inside · $1,259 balcony · $1,928 suite |
Per person, as shown on our site on September 30, 2026. Event tickets are sold separately and only to guests booked on this sailing. Space is limited and tickets go first-come, first-served, so book your cabin first.
Choose Sun, Mar 07, 27 under Sailings, with your military discount applied.
RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay™
Holland America’s private island is its highest-rated Caribbean port, and it just finished a multimillion-dollar refresh.
Think powdery white sand along a 700-acre lagoon, renovated cabanas and villas, new canopy loungers for two, an upgraded Beach Club with waiter service, and the Lobster Shack.
The four new pickleball courts opened in December 2025. You can play a match or sign up for lessons ashore with the sports director, even when there’s no tournament in town.
 Horseback riding in the surf |
 Snorkeling the clear Bahamian water |
Your Ship: Nieuw Statendam
Nieuw Statendam is one of Holland America’s newest Pinnacle-class ships. She’s mid-sized, so it’s easy to get around and never crowded.
She also has her own top-deck, ocean-view pickleball court, and on this sailing you’ll get exclusive pickleball programming on board too.
 The Sea View pool |
 Sunset from The Retreat cabanas |
 Lido pool under the glass roof |
 Greenhouse Spa, for after the match |
Can’t Make March 7? More Ways to Play Pickleball at Sea
Holland America is the Official Cruise Line of the PPA, and every ship in its fleet has a top-deck pickleball court, with free equipment and beginner lessons. Four “countdown” cruises this winter also carry PPA pros on board for lessons, coffee chats and pickleball trivia:
- Nieuw Amsterdam: 9-day Southern Caribbean, November 20, 2026
- Zuiderdam: 7-day Western Caribbean, December 12, 2026
- Eurodam: 7-day Eastern Caribbean, January 2 and January 23, 2027
Other Cruise Lines With Pickleball Courts
- Celebrity Cruises: courts on 12 ships, including Edge-class Apex, Ascent, Beyond, Edge and Xcel (in the Rooftop Garden)
- Regent Seven Seas: Seven Seas Explorer, Splendor and Grandeur, plus the new Seven Seas Prestige
- Oceania Cruises: a dedicated court on Oceania Allura
- Explora Journeys: dedicated upper-deck courts on Explora I and Explora II
- Cunard: Queen Anne, the fleet’s first dedicated top-deck court
- Crystal: Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity
- Princess: dedicated courts on Sun, Star, Discovery, Enchanted and Sky Princess
- Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Virgin Voyages, MSC and Carnival: courts or multi-sport courts on most of their ships
- River cruising: AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna was the first river ship with a pickleball court
Tell us your favorite line or dates and we’ll find a pickleball-friendly ship that fits.
Why Book With Military Cruise Deals
- Military discount on every cruise. Our Holland America rates are guaranteed to be below Holland’s lowest rate. Veterans and spouses qualify.
- Your perks stack. Our military discount stacks with Holland America’s promotions, like Have It All and early booking bonuses.
- Military gets $100 onboard credit on select Holland America sailings.
- We monitor your rate. If Holland lowers the price before final payment, we re-fare your cruise to the new lower rate.
- Our service is free. There is never a fee to book with us.
- Real people, 7 days a week. Serving military families since 2001, with over 50,000 past customers.
The Invitational is on one ship, one week, and tickets are limited. If you want to be on that island on March 13, reserve your stateroom now so you’re first in line when tickets open.
Questions? Call us at 866-964-5482. We’ll pull your exact fare with your military discount and every perk that applies.
Reserve My Spot on Nieuw Statendam
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Private Island Invitational tickets are sold separately and are not included in any cruise booking. The event takes place March 13, 2027 and is available only to guests booked on Nieuw Statendam departing March 7, 2027. Tickets are limited, first-come first-served, non-refundable and non-transferable. Programming, schedules and participating PPA players are subject to change; courts and select programming are weather permitting. Holland America may modify, postpone or cancel the event. Fares shown are per person, double occupancy, as displayed on militarycruisedeals.com on September 30, 2026; they are capacity controlled and may change at any time. Taxes, fees and port expenses may be additional. Onboard credit and promotions apply to select sailings. Military rates require valid proof of service at booking. Pickleball facilities on other ships are as reported by the cruise lines and may change. Photos courtesy of Holland America Line.