Serving authentic, regional flavors is a passion of Holland America Line’s Food and Beverage team. Before each new season, the team dives into culinary history, favorite local recipes and vendors to craft unique cuisine experiences for each destination. Most recently, the Food and Beverage team has introduced new Caribbean menus.
Caribbean Cuisine: A Passion for Authentic
Here are a few culinary highlights that Caribbean-bound guests can experience:
Caribbean Rum Tastings: Sample six premium rums from distilleries in the region including Bacardi 8’s aged rum with hints of vanilla, caramel and oak, and Pryrat XO’s oak barrel–aged rum with a velvety texture and flavors of tropical fruit and honey.
18th Century Pirate Punch: While the original Caribbean pirates didn’t have the luxury of today’s premium cruise ships, modern guests can indulge in a concoction inspired by their seafaring traditions. Crafted by David Wondrich, a James Beard award-winning drinks historian, the new 18th Century Pirate Punch draws inspiration from the rum punch shared by pirates.
Puerto Rican Tostones: Made fresh daily with plantain chips, Puerto Rican Tostones are served open-faced for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Lido Market. Topping selections range from tropical fruit for breakfast to pulled pork, garlic shrimp or vegetarian for dinner.
Caribbean Bread Pudding: Holland America Line’s bread pudding is a longtime favorite and the most requested recipe by guests. While traditional bread pudding originated in Europe, it also has strong ties to the Caribbean where early settlers used local flavors to create their own, unique bread puddings. To honor this fusion of flavors, Caribbean sailings feature new bread puddings served with a warm rum vanilla sauce.
Caribbean Brunch: Offered on sea days, all dishes on the new Caribbean Brunch menu in the Dining Room showcase fresh, local ingredients. Selections range from sweet tropical flavors to savory and include Jamaican Banana Pancakes, Sweet Potato Chowder with chili 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.
Caribbean Dining in Lido and Main Dining Room: The Dining Room features a range of new dishes showcasing island staples and favorites on all Caribbean cruises, including steamed Stone Crabs served chilled with a Dijon aioli dipping sauce (supplemental charge) and Jerked Pork Tenderloin with peanuts, rice pilaf and black beans.
Find additional new menu items and details in the press release: Fresh Puerto Rican Tostones and Stone Crab Highlight New Caribbean Menu on Holland America Line