It’s not every day I can leave my desk and be transported by lunch to an elegant world across the sea. But that’s what my recent tour and seafood feast aboard the Holland America Line ship, Volendam, was like. For a first-time cruiser, it was quite an experience!
A Tour of Holland America Line Volendam
First, the ship feels like modern urban hotel – it’s very spacious. Our lunch cruise did not sail away from its mid-Manhattan berth, yet the ship’s atmosphere made it hard to remember where I was. I hope you get that feeling from my video tour.
The company refurbished Volendam, originally launched in 1999, about five years ago. I loved the intimacy of the ship, as it carries only 1,432 passengers. That is tiny compared to the newest ships.
Volendam is themed to flowers, so the interior colors are very vivid. Paintings, sculpture and vases with fresh flowers line the public spaces. I learned that the onboard florist makes up fresh bouquets on request to send your loved ones during their cruise.
The original Godmother of the ship was Chris Evert (the champion tennis player). Her portrait still hangs in the ship, in addition to a gallery of gifts that have been presented to Volendam over time.
Staying Busy, Dining Well, Living the Good Life aboard HAL Ships
Volendam, like other Holland America Line ships, has a few different performance spaces. Live entertainment keeps passengers busy in the evenings and adds to the elegance of the experience.
Many of their cocktail lounges and piano bars feature bands performing classical favorites, jazz, and rock n’ roll. Other have standup comedians or dance performances.
Also, I learned that the movie theater gets first run movies about six weeks after they open in the multiplex. Movie-going at sea is very popular, especially with the multigenerational cruise families who favor Holland America Line.
Spokesperson Kayla Ibe explained that award-winning cuisine is also at the heart of the Holland America Line experience. They strive to differentiate themselves from much of the cruise competition, which relies on all-you-eat-buffets to attract passengers.
Instead, Holland America Line works with some of the world’s leading chefs to design and prepare memorable meals. The line’s best known chefs including David Burke, Jacques Torres and Ethan Stowel influence every dish.
Seafood Tradition Aboard Holland America Line Ships
Each of their 11 ships has five specialty restaurants. Food is a favorite part of the all-inclusive rates aboard a cruise ship. However, these five serve such special cuisine that they carry a premium charge. And of course, the experienced cruisers on my tour told me that they have to be booked in advance if you want to get a table while you’re cruising.
While the menus at the Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, Canaletto, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, and Morimoto By Sea range from steaks to Asian to Italian and more, the restaurants share a passion for fresh seafood.
The focus on seafood makes sense aboard a ship — our halibut lunch was delicious. Yet I didn’t realize that HAL goes a long way to making sure they are serving quality fish caught in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way.
They pioneered a Global Fresh Fish Program at 60 ports to responsibly source and serve 80 types of fresh fish “from port to plate” as they say, in less than 48 hours. That enables each HAL cruise to serve meals that reflect the cuisine and culture of the places they cruise to. Depending on your HAL cruise, Kayla explained, you might find yellowtail snapper in the Caribbean or barramundi in Australia.
This is the second year they have teamed up with Chef Masaharu Morimoto, the famous “Iron Chef” from TV and a noted sushi master. The new ship, Nieuw Amsterdam, features his latest restaurant. Additionally, HAL passengers will be able to experience Chef Morimoto’s signature dishes for one night at either Tamarind or the Pinnacle Grill on other ships, so be sure to ask about this. The premium charge is $55 per person plus 18% service charges and any a la carte beverage orders.
Alaska Next Time?
Holland America Line’s fleet visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world. When I learned that HAL was awarded Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification in Alaska, I also heard that they had been in cruising my bucket list destination for more than 75 years.
With six ships cruising Alaska next season, you just may find me aboard!
Having a goumet meal, of course.
Margot Krzykawiak, operations manager at Family Travel Forum Inc., enjoyed her first “cruise” aboard Holland America Line’s Volendam when it called on New York City in October 2024.
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