Holland America leans into luxury travel trend with culinary cruises
As travelers demand more than buffets and banquet fare, cruise lines are doubling down on celebrity chef partnerships, regionally inspired menus, and culinary programming like cooking classes.
From sushi counters designed by Iron Chef Morimoto to craft cocktail classes and sommelier-led tastings, food and beverage offerings have become a key differentiator - and a powerful lever to attract higher-spending, experience-driven travelers.
The immersive food-and-drink experiences are part of a growing strategy among cruise lines to stand out in a crowded, experience-driven market.
"Dining has become an essential part of how people explore the world, and our Culinary Ambassador program allows us to offer something truly special - an experience that goes beyond the plate," Holland America's Vice President of Food, Beverage and Rooms, Michael Stendebach said in a statement.
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Cruises featuring a Culinary Ambassador will offer engaging activities where the experts share their knowledge, techniques and tips. For the chef ambassadors, guests can attend a live cooking demonstration led by the chef, join a coffee chat to learn more about them, and dine at an intimate, reservation-only dinner with a curated menu hosted by the chef. The beverage experts will offer tastings, special events and host a pairing dinner in a specialty restaurant.
Related: Princess Cruises cracks down on beverage package abuse
"Through the Culinary Ambassador cruises, we can bring some of the world's most celebrated experts on board to elevate the journey. It's not just about eating well for our guests - it's about learning, tasting something new, having fun and perhaps getting some tips to use in their own kitchens," Stendeach said.
In addition to Morimoto and Burke, Holland America Line Culinary Ambassador chefs include Ethan Stowell and Jacques Torres. Besides Mix, who created cocktails for cruises in Mexico, the Culinary Ambassador beverage experts who created regionally inspired cocktails for the cruise line's bars and menus, include Sam Ross (Alaska), Tess Posthumus (Northern Europe), and David Wondrich and Jeff Berry (Caribbean). Master Tea Blender Steve Schwartz also will join a Culinary Ambassador cruise in Asia.
For the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, the options for a Culinary Ambassador Cruise include:
Zuiderdam, Voyage of the Vikings, Chef Burke will be on board a segment of the cruise Aug. 7-12, 2025, from Dublin, Ireland, to Reykjavik, Iceland.Nieuw Amsterdam, 7-Day Baja Peninsula, Bartender Ivy Mix will be on board Nov. 15-22, 2025, sailing roundtrip from San Diego.Volendam, 2026 Grand World Voyage, Master Tea Blender Schwartz will be on board March 25-30, 2026, from Singapore to Halong Bay (Hanoi), Vietnam.Volendam, 2026 Grand World Voyage, Chef Morimoto will be on board while the ship is in Japan, dates to be announced.Volendam, 2026 Grand World Voyage, Chef Stowell will be on board April 29 – May 3, 2026, from Seattle, Washington, to San Diego, California.
Chef David Burke enhances the menu at Pinnacle Grill, adding contemporary flavors and signature recipes. Currently, Burke and his David Burke Hospitality Management team operate or orchestrate the culinary component of 18 restaurants, a historic event venue and a bakery. They also oversee a growing roster of David Burke-branded products, including cookware, bakeware, steak sauce, cutlery and wine. He has been featured on "Top Chef Masters," "Every Day with Rachael Ray," and NBC's "TODAY."
Chef Ethan Stowell incorporates the flavors of the Pacific Northwest on ships sailing in that region, using fresh, sustainably sourced Alaska seafood. His fare also is featured at New York Pizza and Lido Market across the fleet, using pasta and pizza crust made fresh on board. Stowell is founder and CEO of ESR with an impressive roster of highly acclaimed restaurants. He was named one of the Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine magazine and one of the Best New Chef All-Stars.
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Chef Masaharu Morimotois Holland America Line's Global Fresh Fish Ambassador, bringing his signature style to dishes in the Dining Room and at Morimoto By Sea. This exclusive restaurant is featured on Nieuw Amsterdam and as a pop-up across the rest of the fleet. Additionally, a Morimoto By Sea sushi counter is available within the Tamarind Restaurant on Pinnacle- and Signature-class ships. Chef Morimoto - known to millions as the star of "Iron Chef" and "Iron Chef America" and executive producer and head judge for Roku's "Sushi Master" - has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients. He has restaurants around the world, is a cookbook author and the recipient of numerous awards.
Bartender Ivy Mix's cocktails are featured on cruises to Mexico and South America, where her unique knowledge of the agave spirits field shines through. In 2015, she co-opened her bar, Leyenda, with Julie Reiner in Brooklyn, New York, as well as her bottle shop Fiasco! Wine + Spirits. She is the author of "Spirits of Latin America" and the recipient of numerous awards. Mix is the co-founder of Speed Rack, a woman-only, high-speed bartending competition that has raised more than $1 million for breast cancer research.
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Master Tea Blender Steve Schwartz is founder of Art of Tea. He is known by many authoritative figures in the tea industry as a Master Tea Blender. He has blended award-winning teas under the Art of Tea brand, and his blends are offered under the company's private-label program for tea companies around the world.
Schwartz will host a tea tasting experience, a "Rituals of Tea" seminar and an exclusive High Tea with Art of Tea event on his Culinary Ambassador cruise.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
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