Holland America Line introduces new Chef’s Table experience

Thursday, Aug 14, 2025 0

Holland America Line has launched a new Chef’s Table experience, named ‘Koningstafel’, Dutch for “King’s Table”. Koningstafel combines a behind-the-scenes galley tour with a multi-course feast.

Available on cruises of 14 days and longer, Koningstafel is now on offer onboard Oosterdam, and will expand to Westerdam, Zaandam and Volendam in the autumn, with the rest of the fleet scheduled to follow in spring 2026.

Koningstafel begins with a private cocktail reception and an exclusive galley tour, culminating in a six-course dinner. Each dish is introduced by the chef and paired with a wine selection. Reservations for Koningstafel can be made online prior to departure or on board, pending availability, for a supplemental fee of US $149pp plus gratuities.

The set menu includes:

* Amuse-Bouche: Asian Wagyu Steak Tartare with soy-mirin marinated egg yolk, nashi pear and tempura shiso leaf.
* First Course: Butter Poached Lobster Tail with lemongrass coconut served with an aromatic “Smoked Champagne Cocktail”.
* Second Course: Spinach Ricotta Malfatti with truffle garlic butter, seasonal black truffle and parmesan espuma.
* Intermezzo: Sour Cherry Granite pour with lemon sorbet.
* Main Course: Herb Roasted Lamb Loin with pistachio crust, date purée, Mediterranean vegetables and lamb jus poured tableside.
* Finale: Artisan cheese selection and Honey Crémieux with lemon curd, bergamot gel, honeycomb and lavender honey.

Vegetarian options are available.

Koningstafel complements Holland America Line’s ’Made Fresh Daily’ programme, with chefs preparing all meals from scratch using fresh, regional ingredients. Additionally, the line has a ‘Global Fresh Fish Programme’, which brings sustainably sourced seafood aboard from more than 60 ports around the world.

Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line, said: “Koningstafel is more than a meal – it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, artistry and connection. Our chefs are the heart and soul of our culinary programme, and this experience offers guests a rare opportunity to step into their world, witness their creativity first-hand and savour the results in an unforgettable setting. The name adds a distinctive touch that reflects our heritage while highlighting the elevated nature of the evening.”

Holland America also offers further expanded dining experiences on cruises of 14 days or longer:

* Rijsttafel Dinner: A Dutch-Indonesian tasting experience debuting on Baltic sailings, offered in Tamarind restaurant for a supplemental fee.
* Tiki Dinner: A tropical-themed evening in Pinnacle Grill on South Pacific crossings. Offered once per voyage on cruises 20 days and longer, the experience includes beverage pairings, souvenir tiki mugs and a themed service.
* Indian Pop-Up Menu: Launching exclusively on the line’s Legendary Voyages’, this rotating pop-up features regional Indian specialities such as Lamb Vindaloo, Paneer Butter Masala and Rasgulla. In addition, new Indian menus are now offered fleetwide in the main Dining Room – including on shorter sailings – and can be arranged by guests upon embarkation.