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How to Have the Best Culinary Experience with Holland America

A plate of fish dish with the text How to Have the Ultimate Culinary Experience at Sea.

If your idea of the perfect vacation includes seeking out the freshest ingredients, trying new flavors, and learning from world-renowned chefs, then Holland America is the best cruise for food lovers like you. Whether you’re the friend who always picks the hottest new restaurant or someone who plans their travel around local markets and must-try bites, Holland America offers a menu of unforgettable culinary experiences on board and on shore.

Culinary Heritage at Sea

At Holland America, our cuisine goes beyond the plate. Our first-of-its-kind Global Fresh Fish Program features more than 80 varieties of fresh fish, sourced locally from across our worldwide network of 60 ports and delivered from port to plate in less than 48 hours. From global flavors and fresh ingredients to partnerships with award-winning chefs, we’ve long been a favorite among food-focused travelers.

Destination Dining™: Taste the World, One Port at a Time

Our onboard Destination Dining™ tells the story of each region through its unique flavors. Connect deeply with your destination with our regionally inspired cuisine made with fresh local ingredients, including:

  • Alaska: Certified sustainable Alaska salmon, Dungeness crab, or a classic Seafood Boil
  • Mexico: Pacific mahi-mahi and locally prepared tamales
  • Mediterranean: Buffalo mozzarella, spanakopita, or Turkish delight

Made Fresh Daily: Culinary Craftsmanship in Each Delicious Bite

Our culinary experience isn’t just about where ingredients come from, but how they’re prepared. From artisanal breads and handcrafted pastas to house-made gelato and desserts made from scratch, our dedication to freshness is evident on every voyage, every day. Learn more about our Made Fresh Daily program.

Culinary Ambassadors

Our world-class Culinary Ambassadors shape everything from our Specialty Dining menus to our onboard culinary programming. 2025 and 2026 Culinary Ambassador Cruises offer you an opportunity to interact with these culinary masters, tasting their creations and watching their expertise come to life before your eyes:

Curious? Learn more about our Onboard Dining.

Morimoto by Sea: A Global Dining Experience

Chef Masaharu Morimoto standing with his arms folded in front of a Holland America cruise ship.

One of our newest and most celebrated dining experiences is Morimoto by Sea, created in partnership with our Global Fresh Fish Ambassador, Chef Masaharu Morimoto. This innovative dining experience is available on board in a variety of way:

  • A pop-up dinner experience once per cruise
  • A stand-alone restaurant aboard Nieuw Amsterdam
  • A sushi bar on our Signature and Pinnacle Class ships

From miso black cod to craft cocktails and exquisite nigiri, Morimoto by Sea is a must for any serious food lover.

Raise a Glass: Mixology & Wine Tastings

Elevate your onboard experience with wine tastings led by our expert sommeliers or shake, stir, and sip like a pro at a cocktail-making class. It’s all part of the fun for epicurious guests looking to deepen their knowledge and enjoy every drop.

Taste the Destination With Culinary Shore Excursions

A person pours wine for two women on a wine-tasting cruise shore excursion.

Dining on board is just the beginning. Holland America’s culinary shore excursions let you experience local flavors in unforgettable ways:

  • Alaska — Crack open freshly steamed king crab legs or join a salmon bake under the stars
  • Italy — Sample Chianti in a Tuscan villa or learn to make your own pasta dough
  • Canada & New England — Dine on haddock and house-made chowder on a food-focused harbor tour
  • Caribbean — Tour a local rum distillery and savor freshly made callaloo or jerk chicken

These excursions offer deeper cultural insights through the lens of food, for a true taste of each place.

Ready to Dig in With the Best Cruise for Foodies?

A close-up of fresh baked bread.

From ship to shore, Holland America offers the best cruise for foodies who want to taste, learn, and indulge in global cuisine. Start searching for your next cruise today.

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