Dining
The Rotterdam Dining Room is striking. Instead of the usual neutral colors, the decor is rich red and gold, with huge flower paintings. The dining room has two levels, and there is enough room between tables for private conversation and easy movement. Service in the main dining room is universally good and warmly attentive; the wine steward is knowledgeable and pleasant with novices and experts. Breakfast and lunch are served in the dining room or in the Lido. There are sometimes lengthy lines in the Lido, but there are smaller stations both at lunch and dinner, allowing passengers to have something light with a drink if they choose to wait for the traffic to slow down. Hot food is hot, cold food is cold and the staff is careful to keep the serving areas full. Some passengers were not pleased that smoked salmon was served in individual plates, although others got by the portion control by dumping one plate into another.
At lunch the poolside area just outside the Lido is also used for stations offering Mexican and Indonesian food and sometimes pasta. The ice cream station in the Lido gets tremendous traffic during lunchtime, and as a result the flavor choices diminish quickly. Although guests carry their own trays, tray removal is very prompt and tables are kept neat and clean.
The overall quality of the food is uneven, with some excellent dishes and some that fell in the mediocre to poor range. Vegetarian dishes in the dining room are particularly iffy. On the other hand, room service was outstanding, with a much wider choice than usual among hot and cold sandwiches, dinners, soups, salads, desserts and cheese dishes, and choices from the dining room menu. Service was quick and good. Among the late night buffets, the Dessert Extravaganza, with its Dutch Chocolate Treat, was the most popular. Overall the staff is good, but there are variations ranging between spectacular and unresponsive.
Cuisine varies a great deal from dish to dish, ranging from flavorless to divinely prepared and cooked; desserts generally score well with most people, while we've had meat and fish that was over-cooked. My favorite meals were at midnight buffet, when ethnic cuisine was frequently served.
Holland America, the proud purveyors of tradition, has – not surprisingly – maintained a more traditional approach to dining aboard its vessels. It’s for one very simple reason: that’s exactly the way her guests want it! Evening meals evening meals enjoyed in elegant surroundings served by a gracious wait staff who remember their patron’s preferences – it’s all part of the pleasure of a Holland America cruise vacation.
Here’s how their Traditional Dining in the Main Restaurants works:
Breakfast and Lunch: Open seating. During the appropriate meal time, arrive when and with whom you’d like and you’ll be promptly seated.
Dinner: There are two sittings; First and Main. Each is further divided into an earlier and later dining time utilizing the two levels of the beautiful Rotterdam Dining Room
5:45 pm (First Upper). Guests dine in the restaurant’s upper level
6:15 pm (First Lower). Guests dine in the restaurant’s lower level
8:00 pm (Main Upper). Guests dine in the restaurant’s upper level
8:30 pm (Main Lower). Guests dine in the restaurant’s lower level
Sitting times may be adjusted according to the cruise and some ships may maintain a two-sitting (6:00 pm and 8:15 pm) arrangement; Alaska cruise dining times are about 15 minutes earlier than those shown above. Guests may request any sitting time, table size and table mate(s). Sitting time may be confirmed (or waitlisted) at time of booking but specific table location and even table size may be assigned by the Maītre d’ on board.
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All Holland America chefs are members of the prestigious Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs gourmet society. And it shows, the moment you take your seat in the elegant Rotterdam Dining Room. A pianist or string quartet accompanies your evening meal as you sample the Continental cuisine.
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Regional specialties are introduced according to your cruise and traditional favorites (steak, fish, chicken) are always available for the asking. Crisply starched linens, gleaming silver, elegant china and fresh flowers grace your table every night.
“Relaxed and casual� are the operative words for the Lido Restaurant. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the buffet-style Lido Restaurant offers a broad selection of seafood, freshly carved meats, fresh-baked bread, fruits, vegetables, cereals, beverages, and delicious desserts. Regional specialties such as Asian stir-fry, and the ever-popular pizza, burgers and pastas are available here, too.
Especially good are the fresh salads and gourmet sandwiches. Dine inside or al fresco. Evening meals provide made-to-order entrées and table service.
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Any evening meal aboard Veendam can be made even more special. Make a reservation at the Pinnacle Grill, the ship’s upscale, reservations-only restaurant. The menu is themed to the freshest from the Pacific Northwest – Alaskan king salmon; Dungeness crab cakes and Northwest clam chowder are specialties.
Succulent steaks and savory pastas are always on the menu, too. The wine list is equally extensive. Bvlgari® china, Riedel® stemware and Frette® linens are on the table; a smile is on your face! A modest charge is added for this dining experience.
In-stateroom or in-suite dining is available aboard Holland America. In most cases, guests may choose from the main dining room menu and as an added treat, the meal is served on the line’s signature, Rosenthal china! There is no room service charge for this service. So, put yourself in this picture: you and your companion enjoying a private, evening meal on your balcony, served on elegant china. Time to toast the sunset!
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Of course, there are plenty more opportunities to up the calorie count. The outdoor Terrace Grill serves up hamburgers, chicken burgers, hot dogs and regional specialties (Indonesian cuisine is tops on Holland America). Exploration’s Café serves pastries throughout the day; daily Afternoon Tea Service – and once each cruise they elevate the service to “Royal Dutch High Tea�; and the famous, late-night “snack,� in the form of a chocolate extravaganza!
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Oh – there’s a complimentary Ice Cream Bar, too! Additionally, guests who choose Penthouse and Deluxe Verandah Suites (Categories PS & S) have complimentary use of the private Neptune Lounge which serves complimentary beverages, breakfast pastries, afternoon snacks and evening hors d’oeuvres.
Holland America’s innovative Culinary Arts Center warrants special attention in this “Dining� section. Included within the spacious Wajang Theater, this center is the place to be for gourmet presentations, tasting events, cooking presentations and optional cooking classes. There’s a fully-equipped kitchen up on stage and close-in cameras and large plasma screens give all in attendance a front row seat. Just across the hall from the center is a well-placed wine tasting bar and boutique wine and culinary shop.
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Dining
World-renowned master chef Reiner Greubel leads our award-winning culinary staff in providing extensive dining options, including "light & healthy" items, continental and ethnic cuisines, and vegetarian dishes. All are available in a range of dining venues.
- 37-seat Java Cafe
- 403-seat Lido restaurant
- King's Room and the Queen's Room
- Rotterdam Dining Room seats 700 on two levels connected by a pair of grand curved staircases
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