Holland America adds paid Beach Club at Half Moon Cay. Day passes in early October.

Holland America is selling a quieter beach day at its private island. The line’s own PR Newswire release, timed 22 Sep 2026 at 8:54am ET, unveiled a paid Beach Club at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, plus a new complimentary food pavilion and other island upgrades ahead of the destination’s 30th anniversary in 2027. Cruise Industry News carried the same announcement the same day. Load-bearing facts below follow that Tier 1 release.

This is not an itinerary cut. Your port day still happens. The new product is an optional paid pass on top of the free beach.

What you can buy

Beach Club day passes go on sale in early October 2026, per Holland America. The release does not publish a price.

What the pass includes, from the line:

• Priority tendering from the ship to the island
• Dedicated waiter service
• All-inclusive alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Included beach accessories
• Specialty food and beverage offerings
• Other “special surprise moments” (not itemized further in the release)

Priority tendering matters if you tender to the south-side landing rather than using a pier. The release does not spell out pier vs tender logistics beyond the priority-tender benefit for Beach Club guests.

What stays free

Everyone who goes ashore still gets the new food pavilion’s island-inspired barbecue menu at no extra charge, per the release. Existing bars and eateries are being renovated. Cabanas are being upgraded. The beach adds more daybeds, upgraded canopy loungers for two, and extra beach chairs. Four pickleball courts added last season stay.

Cabanas and villas remain separate shore-excursion products if you want private space. The Beach Club pass is its own product.

Who this hits

Holland America says guests can use the refreshed island on more than two dozen Caribbean itineraries sailing from October 2026 through April 2027. The release does not list every ship and sailing date. If your HAL Caribbean cruise calls Half Moon Cay in that window, this is your island day product news.

Carnival and Princess also use RelaxAway. This Beach Club is a Holland America offering in the sources reviewed. Do not assume the same pass sells on another line’s ticket.

Holland America president Beth Bodensteiner, quoted in the release: “Every enhancement at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay is centered on creating an even more exceptional experience while building on everything guests already love about the island… It’s exciting to unveil the Beach Club as we prepare to welcome our first visitors in October.”

What you should do

If you sail Holland America to Half Moon Cay from October 2026 onward, watch for Beach Club passes in early October before you decide whether the upgrade beats the free barbecue and beach. Hold your drinks and cabana budget until the price is published. Book cabanas or villas as separate excursions if that is the product you actually want. Facts above follow Holland America’s 22 Sep 2026 PR Newswire release, with Cruise Industry News the same day as corroboration. No pass price was in those sources.