Fresh, local flavors are leading the way for Holland America Line 's Caribbean cruise cuisine , with new regional themed menus in the Dining Room and Lido Market, such as the " Caribbean Brunch ".
In addition to the culinary journey, guests bound for the Caribbean can now enjoy a new themed brunch, local rum tastings, and traditional rum punch, crafted by mixologist David Wondrich, who will also share his expertise on a March cruise aboard the Zaandam.
The cranberry croissant pudding served with warm rum and vanilla sauce is one of seven new bread pudding flavors introduced on Holland America Line's Caribbean cruises.
All the dishes on the dining room's new "Caribbean Brunch" menu are offered on sea days using fresh, local ingredients. Selections range from sweet to savory tropical flavors and include Jamaican plantain pancakes, sweet potato soup with chilies, a pork and cheese sandwich, a Cuban Medianoche, a Jerk burger with grilled pineapple salsa, Dominican fried chicken with beans and rice, and a Florida Keys mahi-mahi sandwich with grilled pineapple.
“The rich flavors of the Caribbean add a new dimension to our guests’ dining experience with an immersion in the region’s culinary heritage, from fresh Puerto Rican tostones made with local plantains to a variety of tropical fruits and spices,” said Michael Stendebach, Vice President of Food, Beverage and Guest Services for Holland America Line.
“Even traditional Holland America Line favorites, like our bread pudding and crepe bar, will be getting Caribbean flavors with new variations at Lido Market“.
Local flavors in the dining room
The dining room features a number of new dishes showcasing island staples and favorites across Caribbean cruises, including:
- Chilly Caribbean Prawn Cocktail with habanero and orange aioli.
- Pork tenderloin with peanuts, pilaf rice and black beans.
- Mahi Mahi Devil with cilantro rice and guajillo chiles.
- Spiced pork belly with pineapple, salsa, roasted pumpkin and sweet potatoes.
- Corn and Salted Fish Fritter with garlic aioli.
- Chicken and Callaloo Soup with pumpkin, garlic, thyme and toasted coconut.
- Steamed stone crabs served cold with Dijon aioli sauce (additional charge).
Typical of the Caribbean islands at the Lido Market
During Caribbean cruises, the casual Lido Market offers regional favorites like Puerto Rican tostones. Made fresh daily with plantain chips, Puerto Rican tostones are served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Toppings range from tropical fruits for breakfast to pulled pork, garlic shrimp, or vegetarian options for dinner.
The popular crepe bar at Lido Market offers regional fruits and toppings with rum butter sauce. Dining options at Lido include Caribbean lamb curry, Caribbean roast pork sandwich, jerk lamb shank, braised chicken breast Creole, Cuban frittata, Jamaican garlic shrimp, Jamaican braised oxtail, rockfish cou cou, and a selection of hot sauces from the regional islands.
Caribbean Bread Pudding
Holland America Line's bread pudding is the most requested dish by guests. Although traditional bread pudding originated in Europe, it also has strong ties to the Caribbean. To celebrate this fusion of flavors, Caribbean cruises feature new bread puddings, such as Jamaican bread pudding, chocolate hazelnut bread pudding, Caribbean bread pudding, and more—all served with a warm rum and vanilla sauce.
The history of pirates and modern mixology
Created by David Wondrich, a James Beard Award-winning beverage historian, the new 18th Century Pirate Punch is inspired by the rum punch shared by pirates. It features distilled Jamaican rum, a splash of Orange Curaçao, various citrus juices, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.
Fresh fish program
Holland America Line has recently introduced a new fleet-wide fresh fish program. This pioneering initiative leverages a global network of 60 ports, many in the Caribbean, to source and serve 80 types of fresh fish onboard in all restaurants, delivering it from port to plate in under 48 hours.
Caribbean Trips 2023-2024
Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Holland America Line's Caribbean cruises sail from October 2023 to April 2024 on six ships: Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam, and Zuiderdam. The voyages offer flexible itineraries with convenient weekend departures, ranging from seven-day getaways to 21-day explorations. Most cruises include a stop at the award-winning Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line's private island, recognized as the "Best Private Island" by readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine.
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