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For some travelers, the most exciting part of a vacation is having the chance to dine on high-quality dishes from around the world. It’s a common perception that cruise food isn’t very exciting or innovative, but the days of boring cruise buffets are gone! A culinary revolution is taking over the cruising industry and Holland America Line is leading the way.

Culinary Council

One of the keys to Holland America Line’s culinary success is their Culinary Council®. By bringing together seven world-class celebrity chefs, Holland America Line brings their guests to a collection of creative and globally influenced dishes. These chefs have a passion for speaking to others through the language of food and work hard to craft meals that bring the flavor of each destination to the table. Holland is continuing to invest in their council, recently adding a new member, Season 10 winner of Top Chef, Kristen Kish.

Of course, these chefs can’t be on every ship that Holland America sails, but the cruise line is dedicated to making certain that the integrity of the chefs’ vision remains. Each of their executive chefs is a member of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international food and wine society dedicated to using refined techniques and high-quality ingredients.

Wine and Cocktails

With such close attention to the cuisine on board, it’s no surprise that Holland America Line is also a leader in the wine and cocktail experience their guests can have on board. They work closely with James Suckling, a world-renowned wine critic and Dale DeGroff, a James Beard award winner for the category Wine & Spirits and author of The Essential Cocktail. With the influence of these experts, Holland America Line selects wines for their ships and creates specialty cocktails only available onboard.

For wine enthusiasts, BLEND by Chateau Ste. Michelle provides a unique wine-blending experience. Guests can create their own wine blend from a five-barrel selection of red wine. The ship’s onboard wine expert leads guests through the session to make their custom blend. This new and exciting opportunity is only available on the line’s two newest ships, the Koningsdam and the Nieuw Statendam.

How to Sail with Holland America Line

How can you explore the world of flavors on a Holland America Line cruise? The best way to plan your cruise is with the expertise of your local travel agent.

Travel agents understand the intricacies of planning cruises, and can help you navigate complex deck plans and ensure every detail is taken care of. If you haven’t worked with a travel agent before, this is the perfect opportunity to see how they can help you make the most of your vacation days.