Sponsored by Holland America Line. I rarely share sponsored content, but celebrating 30 seasons of Half Moon Cay and seeing what's new on this little slice of the Bahamas caught my attention. I've visited twice, and I'm curious to see how the island continues to evolve. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you book through my link at no additional cost to you. After all, Jax and George expect their fair share of treats around here!
There's something about a Caribbean beach that makes you want to find a lounge chair, settle in, and forget what day it is. Add turquoise water and white sand, and I'm happy. But if you think a day at Half Moon Cay is just about sitting on the beach, think again.
I've visited Holland America's private island in the Bahamas twice. I'll admit I haven't spent much time exploring everything it offers, but both visits showed me that this little island knows how to keep things hopping. Fun games pitted the ship's crew against the passengers, along with volleyball and other activities. And, of course, there's always the beach.
Now, as RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay celebrates its 30th season, Holland America is adding even more options, including a new Beach Club, four pickleball courts, and additional food and beverage experiences.
Here's what's new and what you should know before planning your visit.
The New Beach Club at Half Moon Cay
The biggest addition is The Beach Club, an optional upgrade for guests who want a more exclusive beach experience.
For $125 per person, the Beach Club package includes private beach access, lounge seating and day beds, dedicated staff, an exclusive lunch, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Guests also receive chilled towels, complimentary sunscreen, and live music or a DJ.
Getting there is part of the package, too. Guests receive priority tender service, shuttle transportation to the Beach Club, snorkeling equipment, beach toys, and priority access to the island's new pickleball courts.
The menu sounds tempting, with Caribbean-inspired dishes such as jerk chicken and spiced tiger shrimp, along with sushi, a tostones bar, and desserts ranging from pineapple upside-down cake to banana cake. Fresh coconuts, frozen drinks, and other refreshments round out the offerings.
I haven't experienced the new Beach Club myself, so I can't tell you whether it's worth the $125. That will depend on how much you value the extra amenities and convenience.
The good news is that you don't have to purchase the Beach Club package to enjoy Half Moon Cay. The regular island experience still offers plenty to do, including beach activities, rentals, excursions, and an included barbecue lunch. If you'd rather spend your money on another excursion or a nice dinner aboard the ship, you can still enjoy a day ashore without paying for the upgrade.
Plenty to Do Beyond the Beach
One thing I noticed on both of my visits was that there was more going on than I expected. The crew-versus-passenger games were fun to watch, and volleyball offered another way to get involved.
If you want to spend time in the water, you can rent equipment such as a water bike. You can also rent beach umbrellas and cabanas if you'd prefer some shade and a little more space to yourself.
For those who want to venture beyond the beach, Half Moon Cay offers excursions, too. You can get up close to stingrays, go horseback riding, take an eco lagoon cruise with opportunities for bird watching, or explore the lagoon by kayak.
Now there are four new pickleball courts, adding another activity for guests who want to do more than lounge in the sunshine. The courts are located in the island's sports area, alongside activities such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, and tai chi.
And if none of that sounds appealing? There's absolutely nothing wrong with claiming a spot on the sand and enjoying the view. That's the beauty of a cruise vacation. You get to choose how busy or lazy you want your day to be.
Don't Forget the Barbecue
Here's a practical detail that can make your island day easier. Holland America provides a barbecue lunch on Half Moon Cay that's included with your cruise. The barbecue features jerk chicken and chili-fried rice, so you can enjoy lunch ashore without paying extra.
If you're in the mood for something different, the island also has the Lobster Shack, where you can buy additional food options.
The Beach Club has its own exclusive lunch, but you can enjoy the regular island experience and its included barbecue without upgrading.
I always appreciate knowing what's included when planning a cruise. Those extra charges can add up quickly, and it's nice to know you have options. You can spend money on an excursion, rent a cabana, or buy something special for lunch, but you don't have to do any of those things to enjoy the island.
Pickleball in Paradise
If you enjoy pickleball, you have another reason to put Half Moon Cay on your Caribbean cruise wish list.
Holland America has partnered with the Professional Pickleball Association, bringing the sport to both its ships and its private island. Every ship in the fleet has at least one ocean-view pickleball court, and the four new courts at Half Moon Cay offer even more opportunities to play ashore.
Photo by Alex-Saks via Unsplash
Holland America is also planning special pickleball programming on five select Caribbean sailings between October 2026 and March 2027.
The big event is the Private Island Invitational, scheduled for March 2027 at Half Moon Cay. Guests sailing aboard Nieuw Statendam on the seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departing March 7, 2027, will have the opportunity to attend.
There is a catch, though. Booking the cruise doesn't automatically get you into the tournament. Guests must purchase a separate event ticket, and capacity is limited. Check Holland America's official pickleball information for ticket availability and details before booking.
Even if you're not a tournament fan, it's interesting to see how Holland America is adding activities for guests who want something beyond the usual beach day.
Is Half Moon Cay Worth a Visit?
Absolutely. I've visited twice, and both times reminded me why a day at a beautiful Caribbean beach is hard to beat. I haven't explored everything Half Moon Cay has to offer, so I guess I'll just have to go back. The new Beach Club and other additions give me a few more things to check out on my next visit.
After 30 seasons, it's nice to see Holland America continuing to add new experiences while keeping the simple pleasures of a beach day at the heart of it all.
Planning a Caribbean Cruise to Half Moon Cay
If a visit to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay sounds like your kind of port day, it's worth checking Holland America's 2026–2027 Caribbean itineraries. Many include a stop at the island, giving you a chance to see this little corner of the Bahamas for yourself.
Ready to explore the Caribbean? Check Holland America's cruise itineraries and find a sailing that includes RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.
With a new Beach Club and more ways to enjoy the island, there may be even more reasons to add Half Moon Cay to your cruise plans.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Holland America Line. I may also earn a commission if you book through affiliate links in this post, at no additional cost to you.
-J.S. Whaldo
