Holland America Unveils New Beach Club at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay

Holland America Line has completed a fresh round of upgrades to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, its private island retreat in the Bahamas, as the destination heads toward its 30th anniversary in 2027. For UK travellers with a Caribbean cruise on the cards, the refreshed island will feature on more than two dozen itineraries sailing between October 2026 and April 2027.

A New Beach Club, Bookable From October

The headline addition is an exclusive Beach Club, opening for bookings in early October. Guests who purchase a day pass get priority tendering from ship to shore, dedicated waiter service, all-inclusive alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, beach accessories, and specialty food and beverage options — effectively an upgraded, paid-for layer sitting on top of the island's usual complimentary offering.

Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line, said every enhancement to the island has been designed to deepen the experience guests already know and value, while flagging particular excitement about welcoming the first Beach Club visitors in October.

What's Changing Beyond the Beach Club

The improvements aren't limited to the new paid experience. A food pavilion is being added for all guests, serving a complimentary island-only barbecue menu, while the island's existing bars and eateries are being renovated.

On the beach itself, cabanas are being upgraded, and guests will find more daybeds, upgraded canopy loungers for two, and additional beach chairs scattered across the sand. Four pickleball courts introduced last season remain part of the island's activity line-up for anyone wanting a break from sun loungers.

Why This Matters for UK Cruise Bookings

RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay has been a fixture of Holland America's Caribbean sailings since the island first opened as a port of call in 1997, and it typically features on the vast majority of the line's Caribbean itineraries. These upgrades — part of a wider multi-year redevelopment shared with sister brand Carnival Cruise Line — mean UK guests booking a Holland America Caribbean cruise for the 2026–27 season can expect a noticeably elevated private island day, with an optional premium tier for those who want to treat the stop as a proper beach-club day out rather than a standard shore excursion.

Anyone weighing up a Caribbean sailing for this coming season should ask their travel agent whether the itinerary includes a RelaxAway call, and whether a Beach Club day pass is worth adding — particularly for special-occasion cruises like anniversaries or milestone birthdays.

Source: Holland America Line, via Cruise Industry News