Holland America Culinary Cruises

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Holland America invites chefs from all around the country making them part of the guest enrichment program. While onboard, guest chefs and experts offer cooking demonstrations, tasting and hands-on cooking classes to guests.  In partnership with Food & Wine Magazine, Holland America schedule over 60 celebrated chefs and wine experts to sail in 2009. On cruises that do not have a guest chef onboard, classes and demonstration in the show kitchen are held by Holland America chefs.

A state-of-the-art “show kitchen at sea,” the Culinary Arts Centers resemble the elaborate show kitchens used by celebrity chefs on television cooking programs. Each facility features a theater-style venue, with two large video screens to display overhead and close-up video views of food preparation, and a large cooking display counter where guests can learn from the masters. Culinary demonstrations also are filmed and aired on in-stateroom televisions. Holland America Line invested more than $13 million to create and install the Culinary Arts Center facilities on each of its ships as part of a $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative.

This season Holland America Line will welcome well-known personalities such as Captain Keith Colburn from Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” sailing on ms Westerdam June 7 – 14 on the Alaskan Explorer; George Duran of “Ham on the Street” on the Food Network sailing aboard ms Amsterdam Aug. 29 – Sept. 5 in Alaska; “Top Chef” contestant Richard Blaise sailing on ms Maasdam Oct. 23  & Nov. 6 in the Caribbean; and Christina Pirello of “Christina Cooks” on PBS sailing aboard ms Zuiderdam Aug. 8 – 15 in Alaska, Glacier Inside Passage cruise.

In addition to world-famous chefs, the Culinary Arts Program includes cookbook authors, as well as chocolatiers and tablescape experts.

A selection of participating chefs and experts in the continuing 2009 season include:

• Oliver Reschreiter, executive chef at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, Calif., sailing on ms Ryndam June 19 – 26, Alaska.

• Lee Hilson, executive chef at the Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix, Ariz., sailing on ms Oosterdam June 24 – July 6, 12 day Mediterranean Romance.

• Randy Lewis, executive chef of La Provence in Lacombe, LA., sailing on ms Noordam June 28 – July 8, 10 day Mediterranean Enchantment

• Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, authors of the “Ultimate” cookbook series sailing on ms Prinsendam July 3 – 17, British Isles.

• Stewart Woodman, executive chef at Heidi’s in Minneapolis, Minn., sailing on ms Maasdam July 18 – 25, Canada & New England Discovery.

• Scott Tycer, executive chef at Gravitas in Houston, Texas, sailing on ms Rotterdam Aug. 11 – 23, Baltic. (12 day Scandinavia & Russia Adventure)

• Olga Krasnoff, Designer/Writer/Lecturer of Tabletop Landscapes, San Diego, sailing on ms Eurodam Aug. 27 -Sept. 6, 10 day Colors of Canada & New England.

• David McMillan, corporate executive chef of Consilient Restaurants, Dallas,  sailing on ms Prinsendam Sept. 6 – 20, Western Europe. (14 day European Tapestry)

• Ryan Hardy, executive chef of Little Nell in Aspen, Colo., sailing on ms Rotterdam Oct. 3 — 17, Mediterranean.

• Jacques Torres, Master Pastry Chef and Chocolatier, Owner of Jacque Torres Hudson Street, sailing on ms Oosterdam Oct. 17 – Nov. 2, Transatlantic. (16 day European Serenade)

• Maria Hines, Executive Chef of Tilth in Seattle, Wash., sailing on ms Zuiderdam Oct. 24 – Nov. 3, Panama Canal Sunfarer

Bruce Weinstein & Mark Scarbrough, Authors of “Ultimate” cookbook series, sailing on ms Veendam – Nov 19, South America Explorer.

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Sue Lobo
Sue, our esteemed Operations Manager, has been honored as a Top Travel Specialist by Condé Nast Traveler for 2023 and 2024. With over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue brings a wealth of expertise to our company, particularly in the areas of group travel, event planning, and blogging. As a passionate traveler herself, Sue has explored more than 20 countries across three continents, including captivating destinations such as Cuba, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Her firsthand experiences allow her to provide invaluable insights and recommendations to our clients, ensuring that their travel dreams become a reality. Sue's dedication to the travel industry extends beyond her role as Operations Manager. She has successfully coordinated over 200 travel groups, meticulously planning and executing each trip to perfection. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence have earned her a reputation as a trusted and reliable travel professional. In addition to her operational expertise, Sue is a gifted writer at heart. She leverages her writing skills to share her love of travel and provide consumers with essential industry-related news and updates. Her engaging blog posts offer a unique perspective on the world of travel, inspiring others to embark on their own adventures. When she's not planning extraordinary trips or writing captivating travel content, Sue indulges in her passion for cooking, exploring the diverse flavors and culinary traditions of the places she visits. With her unwavering enthusiasm and extensive knowledge, Sue continues to be an integral part of our team, ensuring that every traveler's experience is truly unforgettable.