Holland America Line opened four pickleball courts at its private island Relax Away, Half Moon Cay, bringing the cruise line’s signature sport to its Bahamas destination.

The new courts debuted December 6 with a tournament between passengers from Rotterdam and Eurodam.

Cruise Line’s Pickleball Partnership Expands

As the official cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association, Holland America already features pickleball courts on all fleet ships. The new island courts allow passengers to continue playing in what the cruise line calls “one of the most stunning settings imaginable.

The courts are located in Half Moon Cay’s sports area alongside basketball, volleyball, and soccer facilities. Beach activities include tai chi, beach ball relays, scavenger hunts, and sandcastle contests.

Pickleball has become one of our most popular activities across the fleet, so adding courts to our private island lets guests enjoy the game in one of the most stunning settings imaginable,” said Michael Smith, senior vice president of guest experience and product development.

Island Enhancements Beyond Pickleball

The pickleball courts are part of broader Half Moon Cay upgrades. Holland America refreshed all 15 private cabanas with new umbrellas, beach loungers, fresh paint, and new decking. Each cabana rental includes complimentary snacks, beverages, floating mats, and snorkel gear.

The cruise line added 500 beach chairs along the crescent-shaped shoreline and introduced new clamshell loungers arriving before the holidays. Upcoming renovations include upgrading the two-story villas this winter and opening a new food pavilion next season to complement the existing Island Barbecue venue.

28 Years of Half Moon Cay

December 2025 marks the 28th anniversary of Holland America’s private island opening. Half Moon Cay consistently ranks as the highest-rated Caribbean port among Holland America passengers, known for its 700-acre natural lagoon, children’s waterpark, white sand beaches, and dining at venues like Lobster Shack.

Holland America Line transformed old ship drapes and bed runners into tote bags for passengers on its 2026 Grand Voyages, completing what the cruise line calls the industry’s first fabric circularity project.

30,000 Yards of Ship Textiles Upcycled

The two-year project collected fabrics during ship renovations that would have been discarded. Holland America shipped approximately 30,000 yards of textiles to Andriali Mill in Turkey, where they were broken down and spun into new yarn for 4,000 tote bags.

Passengers on Volendam’s 133-day Grand World Voyage and Zaandam’s 93-day Pacific Grand Voyage departing in January 2026 will receive the bags. Each includes a QR code explaining the upcycling process. Holland America plans to use remaining textiles for 25,000 additional bags for upcoming Legendary Voyages.

These tote bags are a symbol of what’s possible when we rethink waste,” said My Nguyen, director of interior design for Holland America Line. They started as stateroom fabrics and now represent a much bigger story—our commitment to circular design and reducing landfill impact across the fleet.

Part of Broader Sustainability Push

The tote bag project is part of Holland America’s circular design initiative. The cruise line recently launched a program which repurposes carpet waste into coasters, notebooks, and postcards sold in onboard gift shops. That program has diverted over 1.5 tonnes of carpet from landfills.

Holland America is also piloting an aluminum furniture circularity project to recycle marine-grade aluminum from balcony and pool deck furniture.

Grand Voyages Still Available

The 2026 Grand World Voyage departs Fort Lauderdale January 4 on Volendam for 133 days, visiting 24 countries across five continents including Antarctica, Komodo Island, and Japan. Segments from 14 to 72 days remain available.

Zaandam’s Pacific Grand Voyage departs San Diego January 4 for 93 days roundtrip, visiting 44 ports across 10 countries including South Pacific islands, Australia, New Zealand, and two days of Great Barrier Reef scenic cruising. Segments from 33 to 60 days remain available.