Looking for a Caribbean respite from cold winter weather? Holland America Line is offering that along with new regional dishes and island-inspired cocktails for the upcoming Caribbean cruise season.

Every bite and sip will celebrate the Caribbean region’s vibrant local flavors. The tasty treats have been launched on all six ships exploring the region from October 2025 to April 2026.

“This Caribbean season, we’re inviting guests to truly immerse themselves in the flavors and spirit of the islands through exciting new dishes, delicious drinks and meaningful experiences,” Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line, said in a press release.

“From innovative offerings crafted by our Culinary Ambassadors to authentic new recipes, every bit is designed to transport guest to the heart of the Caribbean,” Stendebach said.

The expanded options include new port-to-plate selections, enhanced Caribbean-themed meals and more signature dishes and suite room service menu items from the cruise line’s celebrity Culinary Ambassadors – chefs David Burke, Masaharu Morimoto, Ethan Stowell and Jacques Torres.

                                    Caribbean-Themed Experiences                                      

“Beyond the plate, we aim to create moments that celebrate the region’s lively culture and make each journey an unforgettable island escape,” Stendebach said.

A variety of Caribbean-themed experiences will be offered on board and ashore. Updated cooking demonstrations in World Stage show guests how to make regional dishes at home, while several new shore excursions offer insight into the local culinary scene.

Travelers looking to explore the Caribbean have nearly 30 different Holland American Line itineraries to choose from on six ships between October 2025 and April 2026.

New to the season is the addition of Miami, Florida, as a homeport, as well as the return of Koningsdam, putting all three – Pinnacle-class ships in the Caribbean.

Cruisers can explore the eastern, western and southern regions of the Caribbean, as well as a partial Panama Canal transit.

In addition to weeklong getaways, Holland America Line offers longer Caribbean cruises from nine to 14 days, featuring more islands on one itinerary.

Select November sailings and special December cruises make it fun and easy to celebrate Thanksgiving and the winter holidays in the tropics.

                     New Menu Items and Experiences Elevate Caribbean Flavors

• Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto created three new dishes for the Dining Room menu (each available for a $25 supplement): Crispy Fried Market Whole Fresh Fish with sweet tamarind chili sauce and pickled vegetables; Yuzu Butter Grilled Lobster Tails with seasonal Asian greens; and Fresh Catch Grouper with braised, soy ginger reduction, steamed baby bok choy and baby carrot.
• Culinary Ambassadors Burke, Stowell and Torres each will introduce a new dish on the Dining Room menu (available for a supplement): Burke’s 15-ounce Rib Eye ($24), Stowell’s Spaghetti with Confit Lobster ($15) and Torres’ Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake ($7).
• The trio of Culinary Ambassadors also will have new items included on the suite room service menu: Burke’s Spiced Steak Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing, Stowell’s Skin-on Steakhouse Style Salmon and Torres’ Chocolate Mousse.
• Dining Room menu items highlight Caribbean specialties across all courses, including Chili Caribbean Shrimp Cocktail, Jerked Oxtail Croquette, Spiced Pork Belly,Southwestern Salmon Bowl and Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
• New port-to-plate dishes, which source local ingredients and are a part of Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish Program, featured in the Dining Room include ginger mango chicken, roasted grouper and spiced Barramundi.
• An elevated Caribbean Seafood Boil will be held in Lido Market (available for a $35 supplement) featuring Caribbean seafood chowder, warm-water lobster, blackened fresh snapper, clams, mussels, pink shrimp, Dungeness crab, red-skin potatoes, corn on the cob, cornbread and warm Caribbean rum cake.
• A Caribbean-themed dinner around Lido Pool brings the spirit of the islands on board with an array of local dishes and live music.
• Bread pudding — one of the most requested treats served on board — will be offered in several tempting varieties, from blueberry croissant and chocolate hazelnut to coconut, Jamaican and Caribbean.

Returning this season, guests will be able to enjoy a Caribbean Brunch menu in the Dining Room showcasing fresh, local ingredients, as well as a Caribbean Teatime once per cruise that includes sweet and savory options.

                                   Sip the Spirit of the Caribbean

• The Rum Ambassador program is expanding for the upcoming season with additional selections. Holland America Line will feature more than 35 distinct rums only available on Caribbean cruises, including a Single Barrel of rum from the Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selections.
• At RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, guests looking for a refreshing cocktail can flag down the new Aperol Spritz Piaggio or the returning Aperol Spritz Tricycle.
• New regionally flavored juices and smoothies will be available at Juice@Gelato aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam.

            New Shore Excursions Showcase Culinary Favorites

 Dozens of shore excursions in the Caribbean highlight the region’s culinary excellence. From preparing a meal with local ingredients to sipping rum at an island distillery, guests can enjoy an authentic culinary adventure ashore. This season, new tours add more ways to experience localflavors. Examples include:

 All Things Papiamento in Oranjestad, Aruba — Guests indulge in a rum and chocolate pairing experience at Bodegas Papiamento before visiting Papiamento Restaurant for a truly Aruban meal, complete with Awa Lamunchi — the traditional lime-based drink of the island.

 Cooking with a View: Caribbean Cuisine by the Sea in St. John’s, Antigua — Guests take part in a cooking class set up on the beachfront. Fresh local ingredients are sourced for the three-course menu, then guests savor the lunch with a glass of wine or a traditional rum or fruit punch.

Savor Barbados: A Bajan Feast for the Senses in Bridgetown, Barbados — Following a Mount Gay rum tasting experience, participants prepare authentic Bajan favorites such as flying fish and green-banana and rum-glazed bread pudding, all while learning about the traditions and tales behind each dish. Then it’s time to relax and devour the handmade meal, paired with a signature island cocktail.

Photos courtesy of Holland America Line

Editor’s notes:

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