On the lookout for a Caribbean respite from chilly winter climate? Holland America Line is providing that together with new regional dishes and island-inspired cocktails for the upcoming Caribbean cruise season.
Each chunk and sip will have fun the Caribbean area’s vibrant native flavors. The tasty treats have been launched on all six ships exploring the area from October 2025 to April 2026.
“This Caribbean season, we’re inviting visitors to really immerse themselves within the flavors and spirit of the islands via thrilling new dishes, scrumptious drinks and significant experiences,” Michael Stendebach, vp of meals, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line, mentioned in a press launch.
“From progressive choices crafted by our Culinary Ambassadors to genuine new recipes, each bit is designed to move visitor to the guts of the Caribbean,” Stendebach mentioned.
The expanded choices embrace new port-to-plate alternatives, enhanced Caribbean-themed meals and extra signature dishes and suite room service menu gadgets from the cruise line’s movie star Culinary Ambassadors – cooks David Burke, Masaharu Morimoto, Ethan Stowell and Jacques Torres.
Caribbean-Themed Experiences
“Past the plate, we purpose to create moments that remember the area’s energetic tradition and make every journey an unforgettable island escape,” Stendebach mentioned.
Bread pudding
Quite a lot of Caribbean-themed experiences shall be provided on board and ashore. Up to date cooking demonstrations in World Stage present visitors easy methods to make regional dishes at house, whereas a number of new shore excursions provide perception into the native culinary scene.
Vacationers trying to discover the Caribbean have practically 30 completely different Holland American Line itineraries to select from on six ships between October 2025 and April 2026.
New to the season is the addition of Miami, Florida, as a homeport, in addition to the return of Koningsdam, placing all three – Pinnacle-class ships within the Caribbean.
Cruisers can discover the japanese, western and southern areas of the Caribbean, in addition to a partial Panama Canal transit.
Along with weeklong getaways, Holland America Line gives longer Caribbean cruises from 9 to 14 days, that includes extra islands on one itinerary.
Choose November sailings and particular December cruises make it enjoyable and straightforward to have fun Thanksgiving and the winter holidays within the tropics.
New Menu Objects and Experiences Elevate Caribbean Flavors
- Holland America Line’s International Contemporary Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto created three new dishes for the Eating Room menu (every accessible for a $25 complement): Crispy Fried Market Complete Contemporary Fish with candy tamarind chili sauce and pickled greens; Yuzu Butter Grilled Lobster Tails with seasonal Asian greens; and Contemporary Catch Grouper with braised, soy ginger discount, steamed child bok choy and child carrot.
- Culinary Ambassadors Burke, Stowell and Torres every will introduce a brand new dish on the Eating Room menu (accessible for a complement): Burke’s 15-ounce Rib Eye ($24), Stowell’s Spaghetti with Confit Lobster ($15) and Torres’ Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake ($7).
- The trio of Culinary Ambassadors additionally may have new gadgets included on the suite room service menu: Burke’s Spiced Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing, Stowell’s Pores and skin-on Steakhouse Type Salmon and Torres’ Chocolate Mousse.
- Eating Room menu gadgets spotlight Caribbean specialties throughout all programs, together with Chili Caribbean Shrimp Cocktail, Jerked Oxtail Croquette, Spiced Pork Stomach, Southwestern Salmon Bowl and Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
- New port-to-plate dishes, which supply native components and are part of Holland America Line’s International Contemporary Fish Program, featured within the Eating Room embrace ginger mango rooster, roasted grouper and spiced Barramundi.
- An elevated Caribbean Seafood Boil shall be held in Lido Market (accessible for a $35 complement) that includes Caribbean seafood chowder, warm-water lobster, blackened contemporary snapper, clams, mussels, pink shrimp, Dungeness crab, red-skin potatoes, corn on the cob, cornbread and heat Caribbean rum cake.
- A Caribbean-themed dinner round Lido Pool brings the spirit of the islands on board with an array of native dishes and dwell music
- Bread pudding — probably the most requested treats served on board — shall be o?ered in a number of tempting varieties, from blueberry croissant and chocolate hazelnut to coconut, Jamaican and Caribbean.
Returning this season, visitors will be capable to get pleasure from a Caribbean Brunch menu within the Eating Room showcasing contemporary, native components, in addition to a Caribbean Teatime as soon as per cruise that features candy and savory choices.
Sip the Spirit of the Caribbean
- The Rum Ambassador program is increasing for the upcoming season with further alternatives. Holland America Line will characteristic greater than 35 distinct rums solely accessible on Caribbean cruises, together with a Single Barrel of rum from the Foursquare Distinctive Cask Alternatives.
- At RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, visitors searching for a refreshing cocktail can flag down the brand new Aperol Spritz Piaggio or the returning Aperol Spritz Tricycle.
- New regionally flavored juices and smoothies shall be accessible at Juice@Gelato aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam.
New Shore Excursions Showcase Culinary Favorites
Dozens of shore excursions within the Caribbean spotlight the area’s culinary excellence. From getting ready a meal with native components to sipping rum at an island distillery, visitors can get pleasure from an genuine culinary journey ashore. This season, new excursions add extra methods to expertise native flavors. Examples embrace:
All Issues Papiamento in Oranjestad, Aruba — Company take pleasure in a rum and chocolate pairing expertise at Bodegas Papiamento earlier than visiting Papiamento Restaurant for a really Aruban meal, full with Awa Lamunchi — the standard lime-based drink of the island.
Cooking with a View: Caribbean Delicacies by the Sea in St. John’s, Antigua — Company participate in a cooking class arrange on the beachfront. Contemporary native components are sourced for the three-course menu, then visitors savor the lunch with a glass of wine or a standard rum or fruit punch.
Savor Barbados: A Bajan Feast for the Senses in Bridgetown, Barbados — Following a Mount Homosexual rum tasting expertise, members put together genuine Bajan favorites reminiscent of flying fish and green-banana and rum-glazed bread pudding, all whereas studying in regards to the traditions and tales behind every dish. Then it’s time to loosen up and devour the handmade meal, paired with a signature island cocktail.
Images courtesy of Holland America Line
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Editor’s notes:
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