Cuisine/Dining
For dinner, Holland America Line features both open seating (on one level) or assigned tables (at fixed times, on the other level) in its dining rooms; it’s called “As You Wish” dining. For breakfast and lunch in the main dining room, an open seating policy applies. All dining venues are non-smoking.
Some tables for two are available, but most are for four, six, eight or 10. The larger tables are ideal for multi-generational families. Fine Rosenthal china and cutlery are used. Live music is provided for dinner. “Lighter option” meals are always available for the nutrition-conscious and the weight-conscious.
Holland America Line food was much upgraded when master chef Rudi Sodamin arrived in 2005 as a consultant; he introduced his “Wild About Salmon” and other creative ideas, and the “Culinary Arts Center” (with its own dedicated live interactive demonstration kitchen and guest chef program) has been a success story. In 2008 menus were revamped to include more regional cuisine and more local ingredients.
However, while the USDA beef is very good, poultry and most fish tend to be overcooked (except when the ships are in Alaska, where halibut and salmon are excellent). What are not “premium” are the packets of sugar, and packets (instead of glass jars) of supermarket-brand breakfast jams, marmalade and honey, sugar, and butter. Also, coffee and teas are poor-quality, except in the extra-charge Explorations Café. While packets may be suitable for a family diner, they do not belong aboard ships that claim “award-winning cuisine.”
Dessert and pastry items are good, suited to American tastes, but canned fruit and jellied desserts are much in evidence. Most of the “international” cheeses are highly colored, processed cheese (cruises in Europe have better access to European cheeses).
HAL also offers complimentary ice cream during certain hours of the day, as well as hot hors d’oeuvres in all bars – something other major lines seem to have dropped, or charge extra for. Cabin service breakfasts are very basic, with only Continental breakfast available and few hot food items.
HAL can provide kosher meals. As the ships do not have kosher kitchens, these are prepared ashore, frozen, and brought to your table sealed in containers.
The wine list relies heavily on wines from California and Washington State, with few decent French or German wines, other than those found in a typical supermarket ashore. A Connoisseur List is available in the Pinnacle Grill.
Alternative Dining
All HAL ships have “alternative dining” spots called “Pinnacle Grill” (or “Pinnacle Grill at the Odyssey Restaurant”), specializing in “Pacific Northwest Cuisine.” Items include sesame-crusted halibut with ginger-miso; and an array of premium quality steaks, presented tableside prior to cooking. These are more intimate restaurants with tablecloths, linen napkins and decently sized wine glasses. The food is better than in the main dining rooms. There is a cover charge, and reservations are required. Bulgari china, Frette linens, and Reidel glasses are part of this enhanced dining experience.
Casual Eateries
All ships feature a Lido Deck self-serve buffet. Most are lines you move along with your tray, although the latest ships have more “active” stations (examples: omelets and pasta cooked to order) and individual islands. There are decent salad bars, dessert bars, regional specialties, and grilled fast-food items such as hamburgers, salmon burgers, hot dogs and French fries. These venues become overcrowded during breakfast and lunch.
The Coffee/Tea Factor
Regular Coffee: Half decent, but weak (Score: 3 out of 10). Espresso/cappuccino coffees (Dutch) are adequate, served in proper china, but not quite up to the standard of Celebrity or Costa. Score: 6 out of 10.
For Children
Club HAL: Junior passengers are divided into three age-appropriate groups: 3–8, 9–12, and teens. Programming is based on the number of children booked on any given sailing, and children’s counsellors are provided accordingly. HAL’s children’s programs are not as extensive as those of Carnival Cruise Lines, for example, although they are improving with the latest ships.
Best ships for children: Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam, but not: Amsterdam, Maasdam, Prinsendam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Statendam, Veendam.
Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2010
