There’s an evolution coming to sea and it’s taking place on Holland America’s first Pinnacle-class ship, ms Kongingsdam.
When the 2,650-passenger ship debuts in February next year she will have new brand-exclusive venues and unique food concepts onboard – all of which are part of Holland America’s promise to evolve the line’s culinary experience.
Deck Two of the vessel is also known as the ‘Culinary Experience’.
New to the cruise line is French seafood venue, Sel de Mer.
Set up as one central promenade, the deck is made up of the Main Dining Room, Pinnacle Grill and Sel del Mer or ‘salt of the sea’ – a new French seafood brasserie serving class dishes with a contemporary twist.
Menu items include fresh oysters, seafood chowder, salt-crusted whole fish and scallops.
Deck two will also have a central bar overlooking the atrium. Here guests can enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail before moving to the restaurant.
The Culinary Arts Center is presented by Food & Wine magazine and transforms from a show kitchen during the day to a new dining concept at night.
As guests make their way along the deck, they’ll pass the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine.
On Koningsdam, the center becomes a dedicated shipboard setting with a dramatic show kitchen and individual cooking stations that will be used exclusively for Culinary Arts Center activities such as cooking demonstrations and hands-on classes by visiting celebrity chefs and the ship’s own experts.
Regionally inspired workshops, as well as kids’ and teens’ cooking classes, also will be featured. Large mirrors, viewing screens and an open kitchen make it possible for everyone to watch the food preparation and learn from the comfort of their table.
In the evening, the room transforms into a new dining concept called Dinner at the Culinary Arts Center, an immersive farm-to-table experience where the chefs prepare simple, artisanal dishes in the show kitchen and guests enjoy each course as it’s freshly prepared.
New to the ship is the Grand Dutch Cafe.
Koningsdam will also feature the new Grand Dutch Cafe, which reflects the company’s heritage.
Located on Deck Three, the venue is decorated shades of Dutch Delftware’s blue and white colors integrated into the design along with silhouettes of Amsterdam buildings. There guests can pick up Dutch-themed snacks or beverages, with Netherlands-based Heineken beer on tap.
Authentic Italian food will be served at Canaletto.
Other culinary highlights onboard include traditional Southeast Asia dishes at the Tamarind, which first made its debut on Holland America ships ms Eurodam and ms Niew Amsterdam. And there’s authentic Italian dining at Canaletto, which carries a minimal fee.
Outdoors, the ship will have the Dive-In at the Terrace Grill by the ship’s Lido pool that features signature burgers, hot dogs and fries.
In the Main Dining hall, all menus are developed by award-winning Master Chef Rudi Sodamin.
Sodamin has worked closely with the line’s team of international chefs to offer cuisines from around the world in several alternative restaurants.
Late last year, Holland America gave cruisers a sneak peek at the ship’s interior.
Click here for more of what you can expect onboard.
