Holland America Line‘s Caribbean sailings will feature fresh regionally themed menus in the Dining Room and Lido Market, alongside a new themed brunch, local rum tastings, and a pirate-inspired rum punch.
Guests can sample the innovative new Caribbean brunch menu on sea days in the Dining Room, with selections ranging from sweet tropical flavours to savoury delights: including Jamaican Banana Pancakes; Sweet Potato Chowder with chilli peppers; Cuban Medianoche Pork and Cheese Sandwich; Jerk Burger with grilled pineapple salsa; Dominican Fried Chicken with beans and rice; and Florida Key Mahi-Mahi Sandwich with grilled pineapple.
“The rich flavours of the Caribbean add a new dimension to our guests’ dining experience with an immersion into the region’s culinary heritage — from fresh Puerto Rican tostones made from local plantains to a variety of tropical fruits and spices. Even traditional Holland America Line favourites, like our bread pudding and crepe bar, will embrace Caribbean flavours with new variations in Lido Market.”
Michael Stendebach, Vice President of food, beverage and guest services at Holland America Line
Local Flavours in the Dining Room
A selection of island staples and favourites will be showcased in the Dining Room on all Holland America Line Caribbean cruises, including:
– Chilly Caribbean Shrimp Cocktail with orange habanero aioli.
– Jerked Pork Tenderloin with peanuts, rice pilaf and black beans.
– Mahi Mahi Diablo with cilantro rice and guajillo chilies.
– Spiced Pork Belly with pineapple, salsa, roasted squash and sweet potatoes.
– Corn and Salt Fish Fritter with garlic aioli.
– Chicken and Callaloo Soup with butternut squash, garlic, thyme and toasted coconut.
– Steamed Stone Crabs served chilled with a Dijon aioli dipping sauce (supplemental charge).
Taste the Caribbean in Lido Market
In the casual Lido Market, guests can enjoy regional favourites, such as Puerto Rican Tostones made fresh daily with plantain chips, and served open-faced for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Topping options range from tropical fruit to pulled pork, garlic shrimp or vegetarian.
Other Lido dinner options on the new menu include: Caribbean Lamb Curry; Caribbean Roasted Pork Sandwich; Jerk Lamb Shank; Braised Brisket Criollo; Frita Cubana; Jamaican Garlic Shrimp; Jamaican Braised Oxtail; Rockfish Cou-Cou; and a selection of regional island hot sauces.
New bread puddings (a long-time Holland America Favourite!) will be available to guests to honour the fusion of Caribbean and European flavours. The brand-new puddings featured on menus will include: Jamaican Bread Pudding; Chocolate Hazelnut Bread Pudding; Caribbean Bread Pudding; Chocolate Bread Pudding; Coconut Bread Pudding; Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding and Blueberry Croissant Pudding, all served with a warm rum vanilla sauce.
Pirate History Meets Modern Mixology
Holland America Line guests can also indulge in a concoction inspired by original Caribbean pirates. Crafted by David Wondrich, a James Beard award-winning drinks historian, the new 18th Century Pirate Punch draws on inspiration from the rum punch shared by pirates themselves- featuring pot-stilled Jamaican rum, a dash or Orange Curaçao, various citrus juices and a traditional sprinkling of fresh-grated nutmeg.
Additionally, a unique rum tasting will be on offer to guests, sampling premium rum from distilleries in the Caribbean region: including Bacardi 8; Pussers Admiralty; Pryrat XO; Brugal 1888; and Mount Gay Eclipse.
Learn Cocktail History
Onboard the Zaandam 16th March 2024 14-day Panama Canal voyage, beverage aficionados David Wondrich and Jeff Berry will host seminars and tastings titled “From Pirates to Tiki: A Voyage Through the History of Cocktails on the Panama Canal.”
An internationally renowned cocktail historian, Wondrich is one of the founders of the modern craft cocktail movement, and has been involved in the creation of several world-renowned spirits found in most craft cocktail bars: including Ransom Old Tom Gin, and the multiple award-winning Plantation Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum.
Jeff Berry is also an innovator of the cocktail revolution, specialising in vintage tropical drinks. With The New York Times citing him as “the Indiana Jones of Tiki drinks”, Berry’s drinks have won critical acclaim in Esquire, Playboy, The New York Times and other national magazines.
2023-2024 Caribbean Voyages
Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Holland America Line’s Caribbean cruises are sailing from October 2023 through to April 2024 on six ships: Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam, and Zuiderdam.
These sailings range in length, from shorter seven-day getaways to 21-day explorations. Most voyages also include a stop at the award-winning Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private island.
