Our Farewell Dinner Tradition Returns
When guests ask, we listen. We’re bringing back another beloved onboard tradition fleetwide — the Farewell dinner for a memorable final evening at sea. This festive cruising classic honors all the connections and memories created during your Holland America journey.
At this Farewell Dinner, dine on long-standing favorites, such as Beef Wellington and Baked Alaska, while the Vivace ensemble plays live classical string music, and genuine hospitality shines.
As part of the celebrations, the ship’s leadership and crew parade around the Dining Room to thank guests for choosing to sail with Holland America. The Farewell Dinner reflects our longstanding view of travel as a shared experience shaped by traditions, people, and time at sea.
Cruising Traditions
One of the things that sets the Holland America cruising experience apart are our onboard traditions rooted in our Dutch heritage and beloved cruising classics.
The Farewell Dinner joins our other onboard experiences, such as:
- Sailaway Celebration
- Royal Dutch Tea
- Orange Party
- Stroopwafel Turndown Service
Signature Dishes
During the Farewell Dinner, the Dining Room proudly serves signature dishes inspired by time-honored traditions and made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. To celebrate their voyage, guests have one more chance to relish in their favorite dishes, including:
- French Onion Soup
- Coconut Crusted Shrimp
- Fillet of Beef Wellington
- Port Braised Lamb Shank
- Truffled Mushroom Risotto
- Baked Alaska
- Pistachio Chocolate Cheesecake
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Entertainment That Moves You
The talented Vivace string ensemble brings classical music to our ships and features two or three musicians on every voyage. Vivace enlivens the Farewell Dinner with heart-soaring strings and classical favorites to serenade guests with live music as they enjoy their final evening at sea. Every Farewell Dinner includes a rendition of the Holland America favorite, “Home to Rotterdam.”
Tradition of Genuine Hospitality
For over 150 years, Holland America has built a tradition of genuine hospitality and personalized service that has been awarded “Best Service” by Cruise Critic for an unprecedented four years in a row. The Farewell Dinner offers guests the chance to recognize the crew for their dedication as they in turn thank the guests for a wonderful voyage.
Bringing back beloved onboard traditions, such as the Farewell Dinner, is just one more way we continue to deliver experiences too good to hurry through. Before guests return to their regular lives, they are invited to connect to the world and each other one final time through delicious cuisine, impeccable entertainment, and heartfelt hospitality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Farewell dinner?
At this Farewell Dinner, dine on long-standing favorites, such as Beef Wellington and Baked Alaska, while the Vivace ensemble plays live classical string music, and genuine hospitality shines.
What dishes will be served at the Farewell Dinner?
During the Farewell Dinner, the Dining Room proudly serves signature dishes inspired by time-honored traditions and made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. These long-standing guest favorites include French Onion Soup, Beef Wellington, and Baked Alaska.
When will the Farewell Dinner be available?
The beloved tradition of the Farewell Dinner returns to ships in 2026. You can experience this sailing celebration on the final night of your Holland America voyage.
Good to hear this. I haven’t heard live music in Main Dining Room in a long time! Prior management turned away from some of the Holland America traditions and strengths which was sadly missed by the faithful Mariners. Any chance will hear the “dinner is served chimes” and see the Bell Boy as we exit too?
As a long time HAL cruiser I much, much, much appreciate the return to some of these traditions…..along with the recent return to post covid quality entertainment and classical music, I hope the trend continues with such things as the mints when you leave the dining room, the chocolates in the room EVERY night (unless one opts out), the tea in the crow’s nest (instead of the dining room), the canvas tote bags (instead of the cheap plastic ones), HAL themed merchandise in the shops (instead of just the over priced EFFY stuff), the once per cruise lobster in the dining room, the lemon tart in the Pinnacle, the more upscale (less rushed) service in the Pinnacle. But, one thing that remains constant is the qualify staff…