Heidi BucoloWe have just returned from a cruise on Holland America’s newest ship, Rotterdam. During this Caribbean sailing, we set out to sample as many of the dining venues and menu items as possible to see how it compared to our previous trip with the brand this past summer. Now, we have put together this Holland America Line Rotterdam Restaurant Menus and Dining Guide to help you plan where to eat during your cruise on this brand new ship.
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Holland America Line’s Rotterdam Restaurant Menus and Dining Guide
Onboard culinary options are a big part of the cruise experience, and we know fellow cruisers are always eager to see what is available on the different restaurant menus. So, we are back from a recent sailing on HAL’s newest ship and have put together this Holland America Line’s Rotterdam Restaurant Menus and Dining Guide.
Holland America Line Rotterdam Complimentary Restaurant Menus and Dining Guide
There are many dining options that are included in your cruise fare with Holland America Line. These include the main dining room, the Lido Market buffet, and other casual options like the pizzeria and deli.
With so many great offerings, you certainly do not have to pay extra for dining (if you don’t want to).
The Dining Room – Deck 2 and 3
The Dining Room is the not-so creatively named main dining room on Holland America Line. On Rotterdam, the Dining Room is located on decks 2 and 3. Guests can choose the option of traditional dining (deck 3) or Dine Anytime (deck 2).
With the Dine Anytime option, guests can dine at different times each evening from 5 to 9 pm. Or, they can select the early or late seating with traditional dining.
Like most cruise lines, the MDR offers a multi-course rotational menu that changes nightly. Regardless of whether you opt for traditional dining or Dine Anytime, the dinner menus are the same.
The MDR also serves breakfast most mornings from around 7:30/8 am to 9/9:30 am and lunch on sea days from around 12 to 1 pm.
On a traditional 7-night cruise, there will be two formal nights, Silver Gala and Gold Gala. The order of the menus and when these formal nights occur vary based on the ports of call. Below is the list of menus from our recent 7-night sailing.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner 1 | Dinner 2 | Dinner 3 | Dinner 4 | Dinner 5 | Dinner 6 | Dinner 7
Grand Dutch Café – Deck 3
Inspired by the cruise line’s Dutch heritage, this upscale bar and café located on the Promenade deck is the perfect spot to enjoy a specialty coffee and a sweet treat. Serving the brand’s signature Rotterdam 1873 coffee blend, along with other Dutch favorites, you might find yourself spending a lot of time here.
The Grand Dutch Café also serves up draught beers and other signature liquors giving you plenty of reasons to stop by any time of day.
While the food items are complimentary, the beverages will cost extra money.
Related Post: Guide to Holland America Line Drink Packages
Dive-In – Deck 9
A casual and quick-service eatery located on the Lido Deck is Dive-In. Positioned right next to the Lido Pool and Bar, this is an obvious go-to for sea day snacks. This poolside grill is open 11:30 am to 5:30 pm most days, serving up made-to-order burgers, Nathan’s hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and other vegetarian options with fries.
In comparison to competitor poolside grills, we would say that Dive-In edged out the competition with fresh and well-prepared menu options.
Lido Market – Deck 9
The Lido Market is your typical cruise ship buffet conveniently located near the Lido Pool. With selections from baked goods, salads, warm entrees, and other international cuisine, you will never go hungry on your Holland America Line Rotterdam cruise.
Given recent health and safety protocols, staff now serve guests their food selections.
The Lido Market is open daily, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Generally, the Lido serves breakfast 6:30/7 to 10/10:30 am, lunch 11:30 am to 2 pm, snacks 2 to 4 pm, dinner 5:30 to 8 pm, and late night snacks 10:30 to 11:30 pm. Depending on your ports of call, these times may vary slightly.
Breakfast options include all your typical favorites including a custom omelet station. Lunch and dinner options include sandwiches, custom salads, a carving station with other hot items, and Italian and Asian Distant Lands selections ranging from pasta to wok creations and more.
New York Deli & Pizza – Deck 10
Located on the Panorama deck overlooking the pool is New York Deli & Pizza. Unlike this poolside pizzeria on some other ships in the fleet, the New York Deli & Pizza is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Rotterdam from around 7 am to 12 am.
The venue offers light breakfast fare, mostly bagels, as well as sandwiches, pizza, and salads for lunch and dinner. There are even movie night snacks including pretzels, popcorn, sliders, and chicken wings!
The best part is that all these yummy menu options are complimentary.
Room Service
Basic In-Room Dining is included on Holland America Line. Guests can order breakfast in bed or lunch to enjoy on the balcony for no additional cost.
Breakfast is available from 6 to 11 am daily with continental and American breakfast options. The All Day menu is available from 11 am to 11 pm. This menu includes several complimentary starters, entrées, sandwiches, and desserts. There is even a smaller late night menu available from 11 pm to 6 am.
There are also options to order from the Dive-In, Pinnacle Grill, or Tamarind menus for additional fees.
Related Post: Holland America Line Rotterdam Caribbean Cruise Review
Holland America Line Rotterdam Specialty Restaurant Menus and Dining Guide
While Holland America does offer a number of complimentary dining venues, its cruise ships also feature a number of specialty restaurants. These restaurants do all have up-charges; though, they make for a special night out during your cruise.
Pinnacle Grill – Deck 2
The Pinnacle Grill is Holland America Line’s specialty steakhouse. The menu features signature cuts of beef and innovative recipes from popular James Beard award-winning chef, David Burke.
For appetizers, guests can enjoy options like shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, lobster bisque, or the exclusive clothesline candied bacon.
Entrees include a wide variety of steak cuts, in addition to a select number of other dishes including lamb chops or chicken breast. There is also a seafood selection including salmon, crab legs, and lobster tail ($20 supplement).
Don’t forget to save room for the sides or delicious desserts either like the key lime pie.
Currently, the up-charge to dine at the Pinnacle Grill on Rotterdam is $39 per person plus 18% gratuity for dinner and $15 plus 18% for lunch.
Rudi’s Sel de Mer – Deck 2
Rudi’s Sel de Mer is an intimate seafood restaurant located near Pinnacle Grill. The current onboard pricing to dine at this venue is $49 plus 18% gratuity. We were able to book pre-cruise using the online cruise planner for a discounted price of $40 (+gratuity).
This menu features classic French and seafood dishes created by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, including Maine lobster and jumbo crab legs. The menu also offers non-seafood French options like steak frites, cheese soufflé, and coq au vin.
Once again, don’t forget to save room for the delectable desserts like the apple tart or profiteroles.
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Gelato – Deck 9
Located on the Lido deck is an a la carte gelato shop. This venue serves up various flavors of this European dessert that is all fresh made onboard the ship each day.
For a small fee of $2 for a 4 oz. cup, how can you pass up this sweet treat during your Caribbean cruise?
Canaletto – Deck 9
Canaletto is Holland America Line’s specialty Italian restaurant. Tucked away in an alcove near the Lido Market, this venue serves all the Italian classics in a casual setting.
Currently, the up-charge to dine at this venue is $19 plus 18% gratuity.
The menu features a large variety of small and large plates, as well as daily specials like chicken parm and osso bucco.
For small plates, you can’t go wrong with the buffalo mozzarella, antipasto, or grilled calamari. Entrees include everything from lasagna, to short rib gnocchi, homemade pasta, and a New York strip steak.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an Italian restaurant if tiramisu and affogato weren’t on the menu. The ricotta tart was also a highlight of the meal.
Tamarind – Deck 10
Tamarind is Holland America Line’s Pan Asian specialty restaurant. Currently, the up-charge to dine at this venue is $29 plus 18% gratuity.
The menu includes Far East dishes inspired by the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, China, and Japan, paired with amazing ocean vistas.
From appetizers like shrimp and lobster potstickers, to entrees like wok-lobster ($20 supplement), crispy duck, Szechuan shrimp, and red curry chicken, the menu is packed with flavor.
While we are not usually fans of Asian desserts, the Yuzu cheesecake was quite good.
Nami Sushi – Deck 10
Nami Sushi features recipes from Master Sushi Chef Andy Matsuda. Located within the Tamarind restaurant, this menu includes a large selection of sake cocktails, sushi, and select items off Tamarind’s menu at a la carte pricing.
Comments
Do you have plans to cruise on this new HAL ship? What is your favorite Holland America Line Rotterdam restaurant? Drop us an anchor below to share your dining preferences on Holland America ships.
3 comments
Heather
Thanks, this is super helpful!
Lynne Bolinger
Preparing for family trip with young adults and ‘seasoned’ cruisers. Your guide gives us a good overview. 1) I see “World Kitchen” on deck plan. Wonder if they are performing good prep demonstrations
2) Can I assume Rotterdam will offer Afternoon Tea in Main DiningRoom?
Albert Scalfari
My wife and I have been on many Holland America cruises! All have been excellent in every way. One can gain a lot of weight on any of their cruises without a measure of self control (which I don’t have!!!) by the way! Bottom line is that these folks treat you very well, ensure that you are having a great time and that everything is to your liking! We’ll be back aboard this time next year!