Collard Greens and Scrambled Egg Wrap on the breakfast menu in the Main Dining Room
While on the 14-Day Premiere Voyage of the ms Nieuw Statendam, we had eight days at sea to check out the various culinary options offered on the newest Holland America cruise ship.
The Main Dining Room
In the two-level Main Dining Room, the breakfast menu now offers “Light Selections” by Culinary Council member Elizabeth Falkner. The Collard Greens and Scrambled Egg Wrap — similar to a breakfast burrito but wrapped in steamed greens rather than a tortilla –– was one of my new favorites.
Another Main Dining Room update: special china for the Culinary Council dinner. The blue water glasses are another new touch used for all meals in the MDR .
Holland America Line showcases its culinary talent on the Nieuw Statendam. One example, the peach and prosciutto appetizer served in the Main Dinning Room.
During the second to last day of the cruise there was a special seafood luncheon in the Dining Room. From the Shrimp Scampi with fried cheese gnocchi to the White Cheddar Lobster Mac and Cheese to the Panko Crusted Scallops, it was one of the best lunches we’ve ever had at sea..
The Mariner Lunch menu was not as robust. It featured three entree choices: the vegetarian “Rasta Pasta” and a Caribbean fish option.
The Club Orange Exclusive Dining Venue
On the walk to the Main Dining Room on Deck 2, guests pass by the new Club Orange dining venue. This dining area — formerly the Culinary Arts Center on the Koningsdam — has been re-purposed as Club Orange.
The Club Orange restaurant is open daily for breakfast and dinner for guests booked in Neptune and Pinnacle Suite accommodations. The breakfast menu is the same that was formerly served to these suite guests in the Pinnacle Grill. The dinner menu is the same as the Main Dining Room, with the addition of extra daily dishes exclusive to the Club Orange restaurant.
A limited number of non-suite guests can pay $50 per person per day ($1,400 on a 14-day cruise) to receive the Club Orange benefits, which include access to the exclusive restaurant, as well as priority check-in and disembarkation, tender service and alternative restaurant reservations made on board. Club Orange guests also have a dedicated line at Guest Services and the shore excursion desk, as well as a dedicated concierge hotline for on board assistance.
Rudi’s Sel de Mer
Rudi’s Sel de Mer, an al la carte French-inspired brasserie still features much of the same menu favorites. The presentation of some favorites, such as the escargots, has been enhanced on the Nieuw Statendam.
Grand Dutch Cafe
At the Grand Dutch Cafe — a casual spot that serves coffee and beer, along with a range of Dutch-inspired snacks — the menu stayed the same, except for the addition of a special blend of coffee beans called Rotterdam 1873. In addition to drinking specialty coffees while on the ship, guests can buy bags of the coffee beans to take home after their cruise.
America’s Test Kitchen Moved to New Location
With the conversion of the Culinary Arts Center to Club Orange, the America’s Test Kitchen presentations have been moved to the World Stage.
The venue is great for a crowd, but a little less ideal for having small group cooking classes.
Tamarind Restaurant and Nami Sushi
The Asian-inspired Tamarind Restaurant has been one of our favorite specialty dining venues on Holland America Line.
On the Nieuw Statendam, the Deck 10 dining venue has been split into two different offerings: Nami Sushi (which is à la carte ) and the Tamarind (fixed price but with a new menu that does not include sushi.)
Two new Tamarind menu favorites: the Thai Citrus Scallops appetizer and the Cashew Barramundi Red Thai Curry entree. We were shocked that the signature Tamarind chocolate dessert was no longer on the menu.
Pinnacle Grill Gets Expanded Menu
Our favorite menu upgrade on the Nieuw Statendam: the Pinnacle Grill, where two pages of new items from chef David Burke have been added to the offerings.
The new Instagram-worthy Clothesline Candied Bacon and the Tuna Tataki appetizers taste as delicious as they look. Then there’s the new entrees such as the Beef Tenderloin with Lobster Dumplings and the Jumbo Scallops with cauliflower risotto. Even the chicken has been upgraded at the Pinnacle.
Of course, we can’t forget the new Pinnacle desserts. Would you choose:Key Lime Pie or Tres Leches Cake? Or, share the Cheesecake Lollipops by David Burke?
Savor The Journey on the Nieuw Statendam
In our experience, the culinary experience on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam lives up to the cruise line’s “Savor the Journey” tagline.
From the Lido Asian station to the Canaletto Italian Specialty Restaurant to the New York Deli and Pizza, the food and service was something to savor for 14 days sailing from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale.
Have you sailed on the Nieuw Statendam? What is your favorite dining venue?
Interact with us via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram.