If you're a fan of cruises and love discovering new cultures in style then you probably already are familiar with Holland America Line and how proud they are of their Dutch heritage. In fact, this is one of the things that I love most about sailing with them. Their ships are in many ways, literally floating embassies that harken back to the days when Dutch merchants ruled the waves and spread their culture around the globe while bringing back a wealth of food, resources, ideas and other cultural elements back home. Now, Holland America Line is expanding on their "Orange Party" night that we talked about a few months ago and are making it a day-long Dutch Day celebration where guests can immerse themselves in the vibrant Dutch heritage through food, drinks, art, music and other activities too. During this special celebration, the "whole 'dam ship" transforms into a lively orange spectacle, complete with Dutch decor, food, and live entertainment. It's an all-day celebration that has you and your pals donning orange to commemorate King's Day. Let's take a deeper look ...
How Many West Coast Cruises Have You Taken?
- Dutch Day on Holland America Line cruises is a daylong celebration of Dutch culture, featuring delicious cuisine and vibrant entertainment.
- The Orange Party, a highlight of Dutch Day, is an electrifying event that transforms the ship into a sea of orange, the Dutch national color.
- As part of the festivities, there are live music and dancing, and guests are encouraged to wear orange attire in keeping with Dutch custom.
- The event extends into the evening with a themed Dutch dinner serving classic dishes, and the celebration continues with Kings Day festivities.
- The cruise ship is adorned with Dutch design elements and vibrant orange decorations, offering an immersive cultural experience for the guests.
What To Expect On Dutch Day
On Dutch Day, you can expect a fusion of delicious Dutch cuisine, lively entertainment, and a unique cultural experience, immersing you in Holland America Line's rich Dutch heritage. Imagine savoring classic Dutch dishes, like stir-fried noodles or creamy pastries, as part of a themed Dutch dinner. It's all about cultural immersion that makes you feel like you're in the heart of the Netherlands. While their Pinnacle class ships already feature the Grand Dutch Cafe, now you'll get to taste authentic Dutch cuisine across the fleet and experience other Dutch traditions first-hand. And don't forget, it's customary to sport orange attire on Dutch Day in honor of the Dutch Royal Family. This culinary experience is a celebration of Dutch heritage, and everyone is invited to join in and feel a sense of belonging.
What Is The Orange Party?
In case you missed our post about the Orange Party experience on Holland America Line, here's a refresher.
If you're looking for an electrifying way to celebrate Dutch culture aboard a Holland America Line cruise, then you'll absolutely love the Orange Party. This unique cruise event is part of the Dutch Heritage Celebration, providing a cultural immersion experience unlike any other. The Orange Party, held once per cruise, turns the ship into a sea of orange, the color symbolic of the Dutch Royal Family. It's an evening filled with Orange Party activities, from live music and dancing to sampling Dutch treats. But it doesn't end there; the party continues into the night with special Kings Day festivities. So, if you're ready to embrace your inner Dutch and join in a night of celebration, the Orange Party is just the thing for you.
Other Dutch-Themed Elements On A Holland America Line Cruise
Beyond the food and festivities, there's more to explore on the cruise if you love Dutch culture. This includes the Grand Dutch Cafe, a shipboard cafe on Koningsdam, New Statendam, and Rotterdam and is a delightful nod to Dutch culture and cuisine. The cruise line also boasts an extensive Dutch art collection and incorporates Dutch design elements throughout the ship, further immersing guests in the Dutch experience.
Grand Dutch Cafe
Diving into the Dutch heritage onboard, the Grand Dutch Cafe is a standout feature on Holland America Line cruises, specifically on the Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam ships. It's one of my favorite spots on the ship since I can immerse myself in a cultural experience, savoring Dutch cuisine such as split pea soup, herring, and bossche bollen and Dutch coffee, beer, and even some candy. The authentic decor transports you to the heart of the Netherlands adds to the vibrant atmosphere. While many ships in the cruise industry offer coffeeshops and casual bites, this place is special.
The Grand Dutch Cafe is more than just a dining option, it's a place where you can feel a sense of belonging, a cozy nook where everyone is welcomed to enjoy a taste of Dutch culture.
Dutch Art Collection
Another fascinating Dutch-themed element on a Holland America Line cruise is the exquisite Dutch Art Collection, particularly showcased on the ms Nieuw Amsterdam ... but also on ever one of their ships that I've sailed on to one degree or another. The collection is always a delightful blend of traditional and contemporary art, reflecting the cultural influence of the Netherlands and providing artistic inspiration to guests.
Each ship's collection design aesthetics are truly impressive. You can find yourself immersed in a world of artistic expression, surrounded by sculptures, chandeliers, murals, textiles, costumes, musical instruments, and more. Each piece tells a story, bringing the Dutch people's rich history and vibrant culture to life. It's more than just an art collection; it's an experience that connects you with the spirit of the Netherlands, making you feel like you're part of a broader, global community.
Dutch Design Elements Around The Ship
In addition to the culinary delights and Dutch art collections, you'll also notice Dutch design elements infused throughout the Holland America Line cruise ships. From the vibrant orange accents around the elevator buttons to the stately but still chich uniforms to the art collection mentioned above, these elements all help to create an immersive experience that shares the company's Dutch history and heritage with their guests.
As you explore the ship, you'll also see the Club Orange dining room, a nod to Holland's royal House of Orange. Dutch cuisine takes center stage as special features in the menu, and my favorite ... the mouth-watering erwten soep (Dutch pea soup) is something I try to have every day as well as fabulous desserts such as the stroopwafel cheesecake. Even the ship's design elements reflect Holland's rich culture and history, creating a journey that's not just about travel, but a true Dutch experience.
Are You Ready To Book A Holland American Line Cruise?
If you are as excited as we are about checking out Dutch Day on your next cruise, make sure to contact Heather and Flow Voyages. She is our Travel Advisor partner and can help you find the perfect itinerary and ship so that you can experience this celebration yourself!
Thanks for reading. We hope this was helpful!
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