Never A Dull Moment in the Culinary Arts Center Aboard Holland America's Noordam

Holland America's Noordam is a beautiful ship with lots of things to do onboard. It has a beautiful library, state-of-the-art computer center, a stunning show lounge, a Waterford crystal chandelier that can be raised and lowered like the ones at the Metropolitan Opera house in New York, staterooms with spacious balconies, and lots of other great features to keep passengers amused, comfortable, and interested while they sail to exotic ports. But by far the most unique feature on Holland America Line ships are the Culinary Arts Centers, in partnership with "Food and Wine" magazine.

Holland America launched this innovative program back in 2005, and now there is a Culinary Arts Center onboard each of 13 Holland America line ships. Guests get printed recipes of the items being prepared, and they get to taste them, too! Several times each cruise, passengers enjoy "food network" style programming, featuring cooking demonstrations and hands-on cooking classes. While passengers sit in this space, outfitted with comfy love seats, mini-couches, and cafe tables, celebrity chefs share their recipes and techniques. The program win raves from the passengers (passengers sign up on a first-come-first served basis when they board the ship).

In the front of the lounge, there is a fully-stocked kitchen area with large plasma video screens on either side, so everyone can see the "close up" preparations, regardless of where they are sitting. Obviously, these programs are extremely popular. The cooking demonstrations are also part of the in-stateroom programming for those who can't or didn't make it to the show.

In addition to the cooking demos, there are at least two 90-minute, hands-on cooking classes offered on every cruise (the cost is just $29 per session!). These special sessions have a limited enrollment of just 12 people. As cooking classes go, this is a true bargain, especially when you factor in the skill of the chefs that are guest speakers on Holland America's ships!

At a special luncheon and cooking demonstration in Februrary, 2007, journalists, chefs, travel agents, and other interested parties were invited onboard the Noordam, to help bring attention to this innovative, onboard, program. Richard D. Meadows, the Executive Vice-President of Holland America Line, and Gail Simmons of Food & Wine Magazine made some remarks, and then the fun, really began: Julie Reiner, Director/Owner of the Flatiron Lounge to a very delicious, grapefruit juice and gin-based cocktail (on top of the champagne, it gave the guests a warm buzz). It was announced that Julie was going to be cruising on the Noordam with her mother! Treats were passed around, including an appetizer featuring scallops and one with a "sambal" in it (there are lots of Indonesian crew members on HAL ships and this spicy, condiment was very popular with them--it's not suprising that this would be used, onboard).

Every cruise ship has "something" that makes it special. The Noordam has an attention to detail and an elegance that is sadly lacking on many cruise lines, today. The Culinary Arts Center program is unique fun, and an opportunity for passengers to take back a "souvenir" that won't fade like a tan, or be put in the back of a closet. It's just another reason Holland America appeals to upscale, educated adults who have "been there, done that" when it comes to traditional cruise activities and want something more in tune with their interests than pool games and bingo.

Dining is a sensory treat on the Noordam whether it's a special luncheon, or a casual dinner in the Lido. In fact, the regular dining room is quite beautiful, rivaling the elegance of many other ships in it's class, with gold-rimmed dishes and lots of gleaming crystal. In this main dining room passengers are assigned one of four formal seating times. Four meal seatings instead of two means that everyone gets a chance to eat at a time that is reasonably suitable for them.

The Pinnacle Grill, the ship's alternative restaurant is quite beautiful and large for this type of venue. Still, it manages to feel intimate, with tables set at different angles and along with balcony leading to the lounge, with seating for as few as two people, to large, oval conference room-style tables that seat 8-10. The opulent china is by Bulgari, the linens, perfectly starched. One can imagine gazing dreamily out to sea, while watching the world literally, float past!

In the golden age of ocean liner travel, a good meal in a formal setting was the highlight of the day's activities. Holland America brings the feeling back on it's elegant ships...and allows it's guests to enjoy culinary excitment at the table, and take a bit of that elegance home, through the Culinary Arts Center.