Love fresh seafood? Then you’re in for a treat aboard any one of Holland America Line’s 11 ships. That’s because the cruise line is rolling out a new global fresh fish program over the next few months, offering special menu items and a pop-up restaurant by renowned Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Holland America has also named the “Iron Chef” champion and restaurateur (he operates 20 eateries globally) its Fresh Fish Ambassador.
By engaging a global network of suppliers in 60 ports, the cruise line will soon serve 80 different types of fresh fish in restaurants across its fleet, all going from port to plate in less than 48 hours. Holland America pioneered its initiative in Alaska, where in 2022 it became the first cruise line to serve 100% fresh, certified-sustainable Alaska seafood aboard its ships cruising the region.
Now, whether it’s halibut and salmon in Alaska, yellowtail snapper in the Caribbean, or barramundi in Australia, you’ll enjoy fresh fish and native regional ingredients in destination-inspired menus and local specialties. Also look for daily fresh fish specials and a planned expansion of Savor My Catch, where you can have your very own fresh catch from select shore excursions prepared and served to you on board.
Enjoy Chef Morimoto specialties in the Main Dining Room and in Morimoto By Sea
If you’re a fan of Chef Morimoto, get ready to sample his incredible culinary talents in two onboard venues. You’ll be able to order three menu items, specially curated by him, in the Main Dining Room aboard all Holland America ships by early October. The dishes, available for a supplemental charge, are: Fresh Black Cod Yuzu with yogurt miso pickle vegetables, kimchi eggplant, fried rice, and garlic soy; Morimoto Epice Lobster Tails with lemon foam, seasonal vegetables, and Morimoto Epice; and Fresh Halibut XO with Asian vegetables, dried shrimp, and scallop XO sauce.
Pop-up restaurant Morimoto by Sea will debut on select ships in November and roll out fleetwide by January.
During an event in New York to mark the collaboration, Chef Morimoto personally prepared and served his Main Dining room entrée Fresh Halibut XO, which was incredibly delicate yet full of intense XO flavor. He also previewed two menu items from Morimoto by Sea: a sushi plate appetizer that was as beautiful as it was delicious, and the addictive Ishiyaki Buri Bop that features fresh Pacific yellowtail on rice, cooked tableside in a hot stone bowl.
Other Morimoto by Sea dishes will include Tempura Calamari Salad with quinoa two ways and white miso dressing; Shrimp Three Way “Morimoto Style" with tempura, panko, arare-age, tartar, tonkatsu, and gochujang sauce; and Angry Lobster Pad Thai featuring Maine lobster, rice noodles, and Thai red curry sauce. Beef, pork, chicken, and vegetarian options are available as well. The entire menu can be viewed here.
“It is a great honor to be named Holland America’s Fresh Fish Ambassador,” Chef Morimoto told those gathered in New York for the tasting. “The team is great and we share the same high standards when it comes to fresh fish.”
Morimoto by Sea and its menu of five appetizers, seven main courses, assorted side dishes, and four desserts will take over Tamarind or Pinnacle Grill, depending on the ship, at least once per cruise. The cover charge for the multi-course menu is $55 per person. Guests can also enjoy Chef Morimoto’s line of alcoholic beverages — from rosé and chardonnay to sake and more.
Feast on fresh seafood as you cruise to Japan in 2024 on an epic 53-day voyage
If talk of all this delicious Japanese seafood has made you want to visit Japan, Holland America offers multiple itineraries, many of which circumnavigate the island country. Most notably, the cruise line just announced a 53-day Majestic Japan voyage, which sails roundtrip from Seattle on 1,964-guest Westerdam in September 2024 and spends almost three weeks visiting 14 ports in Japan.
