Made Fresh Daily: Holland America Line Brings Caputo’s Authentic Neapolitan Pizza Tradition Aboard

From the heart of Naples to the streets of New York, people love the freshness and authenticity of Neapolitan-style pizza. Now, Holland America Line is bringing the world’s finest Neapolitan-style pizza to sea, made fresh daily with Caputo flour.

The idea was first introduced by Fleet Chef Marco Marrama, whose Italian roots and culinary passion led to the discovery of Caputo’s exceptional flour. Working closely with John Mulvaney, director of culinary operations for Holland America Line, Marrama helped forge this unique partnership — one that blends tradition, technique and taste to deliver an elevated dining experience across the fleet.

“We’re proud to bring the true tradition of Neapolitan pizza to our guests by partnering with Caputo, one of Italy’s most respected flour producers. Every element — from the ingredients to the techniques — has been carefully selected to ensure an experience that’s not only delicious, but deeply authentic.” said Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and room division for Holland America Line.

Authentic Culinary Training

To ensure the highest standards and authenticity, members of the fleet chef team — including Fleet Executive Chefs Daniel Hrgic, Marco Marrama, Sinu Pillai, Pablo Cesar and Pam Sta Ana — traveled to New York for immersive training at the Caputo family’s celebrated restaurant, Keste.

Under the expert guidance of pizza master chef Roberto Caporuscio, the team honed their skills in traditional Neapolitan techniques, from dough proofing to hand-stretching and baking. Renowned Seattle-based chef and Holland America Line Culinary Ambassador Ethan Stowell joined the training to support the program and deepen his collaboration with the fleet. Even famed chocolatier Jacques Torres, also a Holland America Line Culinary Ambassador, stopped by to observe and enjoy the experience — underscoring the excitement and culinary credibility surrounding this partnership.

 “Hearing the excitement from our chefs after training with a true master like Chef Caporuscio was incredible. It’s inspiring to see their passion ignited by learning alongside such talent — and we’re thrilled for our guests to taste the difference this brings to our pizza program,” said Marisa Christenson, director of food & beverage operations and development for Holland America Line.

Onboard Expertise

Caputo’s corporate chef, Domenico “Mimmo” Tolomeo, will visit each ship in the Holland America Line fleet to lead onboard training in the art of Neapolitan pizza-making using Caputo flour. As a representative of one of Italy’s most respected culinary brands, Tolomeo brings unmatched expertise and authenticity to the program. His direct involvement is an exciting opportunity for the ships’ culinary teams to learn from a true master of the craft — ensuring that every pizza served reflects the highest standards.

Premium Flour Selection

To ensure a high-quality and authentic pizza experience across the fleet, two specialized Caputo flours will be used based on pizza style and ship class:

• Americana Flour: Ideal for Neapolitan-style round pizzas, this flour will be used at New York Pizza aboard the following ships: Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam. On Zaandam, Volendam, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Noordam and Westerdam, these pizzas will be served in the Lido Market.
• Aria Flour: Designed for Romana-style slab pizzas, Aria will be used for by-the-slice offerings on Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam.

This tailored approach ensures consistency, authenticity and exceptional quality for guests fleetwide.

Rich Heritage

Holland America Line and Caputo share a rich heritage and a commitment to excellence. Founded in 1873, Holland America Line has been a leader in premium cruising for more than 150 years, offering unforgettable travel experiences. Similarly, Caputo, a family-run business since 1924, has been producing high-quality flour in accordance with the ancient Neapolitan art of baking. This partnership brings together two storied brands with a passion for tradition and innovation, promising an unparalleled culinary journey for guests.

This exceptional partnership, supported by immersive training and expert collaboration, ensures that Holland America Line guests will enjoy the finest Neapolitan-style pizzas at sea.