New menus -- No more Dutch Foods??

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks to abb4k -- she was able to get the menus for the Zuiderdam's 10 day cruises that begin today.

Here is the link to the menus:

http://boards12.cruisecritic.com/images/attach/pdf.gifMenu.pdf (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=134572&d=1254793912)

I looked over these menus and I know that HAL keeps the same menus for each of the 10 day cruises.

I see a few items that used to be on all the other ships -- 7 days -- 10 days -- 14 days:

No Dutch Pea Soup
No Nasi Goreng
No Bami Goreng
Chucken and Mushroom Ragout
Seafood Ragout

Did anyone else notice this?

Seems as though HAL is giving up on some of their traditional Dutch and Indonesian foods that we have loved on all our other cruises.

Are these foods gone from the other ships??

[CowPrincess]

I am not a fan of the Dutch offerings that were on the menus previously, so I'm not a good source of info. But I know that no one has ordered pea soup on any of the cruises I've been on in the last 2 years.... I find the smell so repulsive, I'd have had to leave the dinner table. So I can only presume it hasn't been offered on cruises I've been on, or I'd have smelled it because someone nearby would have ordered it. (It is still offered in Glacier Bay, which is the one drawback to going to Glacier Bay IMHO :) )

There are a couple of threads around about others commenting on the lack of Bami Goreng and Nasi Goreng, where the diners have requested one of them for the following night, and HAL has been able to supply. Can't find all the threads, but I'm not an expert searcher y'know? :)

Did find this one:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1021273&highlight=goreng

[K&RCurt]

That's a bummer.

Sorry CowPrincess, but I LOVE Pea Soup and it was one of the items I was looking forward to in addition to the Bami Goreng.

I hope they aren't going to take any other bits of "Holland" away from "Holland America", I would hate for it to become the "America Line".

[CowPrincess]

No worries, K&RCurt -- just think, you can probably have a 2nd helping if you choose, as I don't want one :) (I know I'm in the minority here, but dodging the pea soup carts while in Glacier Bay really is a challenge :) )

[lorekauf]

I could do without the Dutch stuff but I don't mind the pea soup. I do love the Indonesian dishes however so that will be a shame. I wish HAL would make better desserts. If I'm going to "spend" the calories....I'd like to make it worthwhile:D.

[RedmondCruiser]

I hope that they still have Bami Goreng since it is one of my favorites.

Dutch night is a thing of the past but I hope that they still keep some of the culinary offerings. (like Duck Ala Orange)

We still have several Dutch bonnnets that were personally decorated by the crew. Those were good memories.

Nothing remains the same but some thing are missed.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I printed out the menus for my DH to read and he is very upset about the menus on the Zuiderdam -- he has had enough health problems this last month and wa looking forward to many of his favorite dishes which will not be on our cruise.

For those of you who like these various dishes -- I hope you have them on your ship.

[Koshlong]

Awww........... The one bad thing about this forum is that you find out about all the things you didn't know you were missing! We only started cruising 3 years ago, but are trying to catch up fast. We've never experienced a Dutch night.:(

I really enjoyed the Dutch pea soup on deck in Alaska, but I've never ordered it in the dining room. I'm a sucker for the chilled fruit soups. Interesting to see that they've included BOTH versions of "Surf and Turf".

[INSIDERS CABIN]

Thank you for the menus abb4k since we are doing 10 day Z cruise. I was stumped by "malanga root" and i thought i was an expert in ingredient trivia! just googled it and found it is a starchy root similar to a yam! i miss the Dutch and Indonesian dishes which i hope to see in the lido noon buffet. I also think the menus are gearing more and more to American tastes altho in the caribbean that is the demographic i guess.

[CowPrincess]

KK, sorry your husband's been having health issues. You travel in suites, don't you? Could you arrange with the concierge for an in-suite dinner, with a special request for one of your husband's favorites? I would think the ship would have pretty much anything needed to make a special dish.... it would IMHO be worth a try.

[suse]

I grew up on pea soup and fried smelts. Love it. Hope they don't drop the pea soup.:)

[olson99]

It has been my experience on HAL, if you ant something specific, just ask your waiter and you will have it the next day. On HAL, they have an Indonesian kitchen for the staff so it would be easy to order this food.

[Cruisin'Lady]

Unless it comes from a can...pea soup is not just something you can whip up as a special order. It takes hours to make it good from scratch. I love the pea soup when I was on the Maasdam last year and look forward to it again this December...unless they cut it there too.:eek:

[abb4k]

Thanks to abb4k -- she was able to get the menus for the Zuiderdam's 10 day cruises that begin today.

No offense taken, KK, but abb4k is a "he," not a "she" !!

By the way, thanks for posting this thread.

[snowcat]

I was bummed to read that Nasi Goreng and Bami Goreng were no longer on the menu! They are my favorites! Do you think we could request them??

[Krazy Kruizers]

No offense taken, KK, but abb4k is a "he," not a "she" !!

By the way, thanks for posting this thread.

Sorry about that!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

KK, sorry your husband's been having health issues. You travel in suites, don't you? Could you arrange with the concierge for an in-suite dinner, with a special request for one of your husband's favorites? I would think the ship would have pretty much anything needed to make a special dish.... it would IMHO be worth a try.

Yes -- we always book suites. But we don't like eating dinner in the cabin from a low coffee table.

We like to be out and about as much as possible.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I hope that they still have Bami Goreng since it is one of my favorites.

Dutch night is a thing of the past but I hope that they still keep some of the culinary offerings. (like Duck Ala Orange)

We still have several Dutch bonnnets that were personally decorated by the crew. Those were good memories.

Nothing remains the same but some thing are missed.

We also have quite a few of those hand decorated Dutch hats that were given to us by various crew members. Really miss those extra touches.

[innlady1]

No worries, K&RCurt -- just think, you can probably have a 2nd helping if you choose, as I don't want one :) (I know I'm in the minority here, but dodging the pea soup carts while in Glacier Bay really is a challenge :) )

I've never had pea soup on HAL (probably because we've been unable to do Alaska!) but make it all the time at home during the winter!

[Krazy Kruizers]

DH always has it on our cruises -- no matter whether we are in Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico, repositioning cruise, etc.

I don't make it at home.

[bobmagg]

The menus were from a Zuiderdam 10-day cruise.

Can I assume that all the HAL ships would have the same menus??

Bob

[m steve]

I'll bet they have pea soup most days at lunch. Love it.

[NMLady]

No worries, K&RCurt -- just think, you can probably have a 2nd helping if you choose, as I don't want one :) (I know I'm in the minority here, but dodging the pea soup carts while in Glacier Bay really is a challenge :) )

My husband and I both LOVE pea soup so are definitely looking forward to having some in Glacier Bay. We'd thought we'd also be able to have it in the MDR. Sounds like not.

[CowPrincess]

When we were in Glacier Bay, there was a pea soup cart on the bow, the aft deck by the pool, one of the highest decks, and another one inside near the Lido restaurant. It was ghastly, I tell ya :D

[Iowa-Cruiser]

Possibly since this will be our first cruise and have never had any of the items some of the more experienced among you are pining for, I think the menu looks wonderful! We will not be going hungry and will enjoy every forkfull.

If you all will pardon me now - after reading the menu I have to clean the drool off my keyboard.:)

[sevenseasnomad]

As long as the food is delicious, presented well, and served efficiently, I don't mind change. Being fairly new to HAL, I don't think we were exposed to any of the foods other posters have mentioned, but I know for a lot of the long-time HAL cruisers, these changes may not seem to be for the best.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The menus were from a Zuiderdam 10-day cruise.

Can I assume that all the HAL ships would have the same menus??

Bob

That's what I am trying to find out.

Hoping that others will post menus from RECENT cruises.

[Gerd]

...

Hello all,

this thread does speak really in my personal view – so I have to give JMHO.

Well, HAL goes since a while away from "Holland America Line" into "America Line".
My wife is Dutch, and I am German, and one think we did really love was its HAL attachment to the Netherlands common behaviors and Dutch historical dishes – but they are almost everywhere gone.:(

No more Dutch Tea time, bitter bolletjes, and much more thinks like this.

And on our recent MS Noordam cruise, another HAL tradition was gone – the invitation of all Dutch citizen to a cocktail reception with the Captain, Cruise Director, Hotel Manager and some Officers…..


So sad, we also hate this shift like "K&RCurt" does!!??!!:confused:


Happy cruising

G E R D



Our marvelous cruises : :)

MS Ryndam – Wayfarer – March 1997
MS Noordam - Transatlantic Island Hook - April 2001
MS Volendam - Southern Caribbean - April 2002
MS Volendam - Westfarer Caribbean - April 2004
MS Prinsendam - Windmills & Waterford – September 2004
MS Westerdam - Western Caribbean - April 2005
MS Statendam - Hawaii Circle - September 2005
MS Rotterdam - Vikings and Czars – July 2006
MS Veendam - Southern Caribbean – March 2007
MS Volendam – Panama Canal – April 2008
MS Noordam – Mediterranean Enchantment – September 2009


126 days - 34'665 Nm :



Future Cruise : :p


3+7 / 10-day Mediterranean Pre & Inaugural Cruise :

http://ticker.nauticalcities.com/001/3555772246558c9c770ebc7e38eba56d.png (http://www.nauticalcities.com/)


12-day Mediterranean Empires :

http://ticker.nauticalcities.com/001/a4ed661628a8d0b24f580e2daed576d0.png (http://www.nauticalcities.com/)

[Nutrioso]

While I will miss the dishes HAL traditionally serves, I am impressed with the creativity of the new menu. It seems very well thought out to me. Lots of unusual vegetables and seasonings (curry, jalapeno and white sweet potato for instance). I, for one, and looking forward to trying some of these things on our Family Reunion cruise on the Westerdam next month.
----Penny

[St. Louis Sal]

Gerd-I did not realize that HAL ever had a special gathering for Dutch citizens. I think that was a delightful idea and I am so sorry to hear that they have discontinued it. I agree it is a shame that many of the older Dutch traditions have gone by the wayside on a HAL cruise. I still have my hats from my two Dutch night dinners.

If HAL is listening we'd like you to bring some of the traditions back. And although I wouldn't be invited to the Dutch cocktail party that doesn't matter, I just think it's a lovely gesture.

Happy Traveling
St. Louis Sal

[sail7seas]

We, too, miss the Dutch Traditions we used to enjoy aboard the ships. We loved Dutch night menu and miss the delicious Dover Sole, Bami Goreng, Edam/gouda cheese during cocktail hour, the flags and Dutch red, white and blue strips on the tables. The stewards/bartenders painted such lovely designs on the white Dutch hats and we treasure our collection of them. The tiny Dutch pancakes for lunch in Lido and the great photos with Dutch girl in Traditional Dress and wooden shoes. What fun. Missed by many.

[rosegrower]

I have just read over the whole menu and it looks pretty good but I have a question. I know you can pick from the everyday menu but are you allowed to substitute say "whipped garlic yuca" for another starch from another entree like roasted red potatoes or pick another vegetable instead of "sauteed spinach" if it is paired with another entee for that night? Can you ask for an additional vegetable to be served along with your chosen entree?

[sldispatcher]

I hope that they still have Bami Goreng since it is one of my favorites.

Dutch night is a thing of the past but I hope that they still keep some of the culinary offerings. (like Duck Ala Orange)

We still have several Dutch bonnnets that were personally decorated by the crew. Those were good memories.

Nothing remains the same but some thing are missed.

Bami Goreng was in teh lido one day...

Duck ala orange is gone...as is the Parmesan Dijon chicken breasts....

I'm afraid either amateurs or Carnival has gotten a hold of HAL dining....

[JamesEM]

Thanks CowPrincess for the posting the menu, will be sailing on our first Holland cruise in the spring.

[Krazy Kruizers]

While I will miss the dishes HAL traditionally serves, I am impressed with the creativity of the new menu. It seems very well thought out to me. Lots of unusual vegetables and seasonings (curry, jalapeno and white sweet potato for instance). I, for one, and looking forward to trying some of these things on our Family Reunion cruise on the Westerdam next month.
----Penny

These are the new Zuiderdam menus -- don't know if Westerdam will have some of these menus or not.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I have just read over the whole menu and it looks pretty good but I have a question. I know you can pick from the everyday menu but are you allowed to substitute say "whipped garlic yuca" for another starch from another entree like roasted red potatoes or pick another vegetable instead of "sauteed spinach" if it is paired with another entee for that night? Can you ask for an additional vegetable to be served along with your chosen entree?

Yes -- you can ask for different side dishes -- different vegetables -- different potato -- and for extra helpings.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Bami Goreng was in teh lido one day...

Duck ala orange is gone...as is the Parmesan Dijon chicken breasts....

I'm afraid either amateurs or Carnival has gotten a hold of HAL dining....

On these new Zuiderdam menus, Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Breast is on the menu.

The Duck Breast a l Orange is offered on the last night on the Zuiderdam - Master Chef Dinner night.

[Dolphins]

Won't miss the Dutch menu items. Still searching for a cruiseline that sails out of the New York that serves sauerbraten.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have had sauerbraten on several HAL cruises -- in fact we just had it on the Westerdam April/May.

[suse]

Do they ever serve beef kidneys on HAL? I grew up on that too. We had quite a diverse diet. Beef kidneys over rice happens to be one of my absolute favorite meals.:)

[rangeley]

Not only are the Dutch and Indonesian dishes gone, but the whole menu looks different. Is this a new fleet wide menu? I made our Pinnacle and Tamarind reservations based on the old menus. Hopefully someone who is on a 7 days cruise can tell us if they had this menu.

[CDRMark]

KK
We had Nasi Goreng this cruise, but of course it is a 14-dayer (the cruise, not the Nasi Goreng...).
Cheers
Mark

[Krazy Kruizers]

Not only are the Dutch and Indonesian dishes gone, but the whole menu looks different. Is this a new fleet wide menu? I made our Pinnacle and Tamarind reservations based on the old menus. Hopefully someone who is on a 7 days cruise can tell us if they had this menu.

That's what we all are trying to find out -- if some of these neew menus will also be on other ships other than the Zuiderdam.

[Krazy Kruizers]

KK
We had Nasi Goreng this cruise, but of course it is a 14-dayer (the cruise, not the Nasi Goreng...).
Cheers
Mark

Right now it appears that these new menus are only on the Zuiderdam.

[sail7seas]

HAL often gives changes a try on one or two ships before going fleetwide. Maybe they are testing reactions?

[Krazy Kruizers]

That's what I have been thinking.

[sail7seas]

Let you know re: our menus on our upcoming Westerdam cruise.

KK...... you cruise soon, too, so it will be interesting to compare.

[Copper10-8]

If this is good info, I will most definitely miss the "erwten soep" (green pea soup) like my Mum used to make in Holland on a cold winter's day!

Btw, there is always Nasi and Bami Goreng to be had if you ask the right person nicely (asst. dining room mngr responsible for your section) and if you're sailing on a ship with several hundred Indonesians!;) (the remaining two items on the OP's list are neither Dutch nor Indonesian food)

[cruisequeen10]

Just off the Veendam Oct 10 and yes there was duck a la orange (man was it ever good). No pea soup or sole.

[Mary Ellen]

(the remaining two items on the OP's list are neither Dutch nor Indonesian food) Thank you for getting back to the OP. When I first read that, I thought Dutch and Indonesian aren't among the top 200 cuisines that come to mind when I think of ragout. :rolleyes: Neither for duck a la orange either.

[Krazy Kruizers]

If this is good info, I will most definitely miss the "erwten soep" (green pea soup) like my Mum used to make in Holland on a cold winter's day!

Btw, there is always Nasi and Bami Goreng to be had if you ask the right person nicely (asst. dining room mngr responsible for your section) and if you're sailing on a ship with several hundred Indonesians!;) (the remaining two items on the OP's list are neither Dutch nor Indonesian food)


I know -- I Know -- I just added them as they have always been offered as appetizers on all our other cruises.

Just me -- we do intend to ask for the Nasi goren and/or Bami Goreng!!

We have only requested something special a couple of times on our cruises -- but looking at these menus -- we may be making more special requests.

Right now I am not impressed with these new menus.

Time will tell what they are like once we get on the ship.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Also something else that is not listed on any of the menus -- MEATLOAF!!!

JMO -- neither of us likes meatloaf.

[Winedrinkr]

I know -- I Know -- I just added them as they have always been offered as appetizers on all our other cruises.

Just me -- we do intend to ask for the Nasi goren and/or Bami Goreng!!

We have only requested something special a couple of times on our cruises -- but looking at these menus -- we may be making more special requests.

Right now I am not impressed with these new menus.

Time will tell what they are like once we get on the ship.
Krazy Kruizers,

I am with YOU! On our cruise on the Zuiderdam, I shall be asking for a couple of special things also. It simply does seem to me to be proper to cruise on HAL without a few of the Dutch/Indonesian foods.

[DeepWaterMariner]

I can live with the new menu, in fact I'm kind of hungry after giving it a read. The Dutch items were never a favorite with us but I usually ordered the pea soup. My guess is that it is still available at lunch. Menus on all the cruise lines on which we sail have moved away from national dishes and the exotic toward food tailored to American tastes and trends. There use to be Norwegian nights on Royal Caribbean, Greek nights on lines like Chandris, and German dishes on German flagged ships years ago...now all gone from the American market.

[eldercruser]

Maybe some of the old favorites are missing, but the selections shown look pretty darn good to me! There are several nights I would have a very difficult time making a choice.

[K&RCurt]

I will be on the Eurodam a week from tomorrow.

When I return I will be sure to post the menus in my review.

Hopefully they will have pea soup and Bami Goreng.

I have also enjoyed the much maligned meatloaf before, it was actually quite good!

[m steve]

at the Asain station at lunch. I don't recall seeing Dover sole anywhere except in the specialty restaurants. I guess if someone really wants Nasi Goring he could eat in the crew's dining room.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We haven't seen Dover Sole on any of our cruises in a couple of years -- not even in the Pinnacle.

[m steve]

was in supper club on Carnival Legend

[Krazy Kruizers]

I know -- I know!!

This is not a Dutch dish -- nor is it Indonesian.

But another entree missing -----


Beef Wellington!!!

[Cologal49]

I was thrilled to see the menu published. We are vegetarians - and I am always curious to see what they offer us "veggies." I have yet to be disappointed with the food on HAL. Now NCL - that is another story...

[heathriel]

Beef Wellington was missing on our 10 day Ryndam cruise last year too...

Maybe the same Executive *chef* from last year's Ryndam is now on the Zuiedrdam?

[m steve]

that tasted like it was made from wellies and not beef.:rolleyes:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Beef Wellington was missing on our 10 day Ryndam cruise last year too...

Maybe the same Executive *chef* from last year's Ryndam is now on the Zuiedrdam?

We have always had it on all the cruises that we have been on.

[Krazy Kruizers]

that tasted like it was made from wellies and not beef.:rolleyes:

We have always had excellent Beef Wellington on HAL --- never a disappointment.

[cruisrmom]

Let you know re: our menus on our upcoming Westerdam cruise.

KK...... you cruise soon, too, so it will be interesting to compare.


Hi, I am very interested in you review, I will be on the Westerdam 12/13-20 and am bringing some Dutch relatives and I am dutch myself , would like to know if there is still a dutch night on board and how the menus have changed. Have a fabulous cruise!!

[sail7seas]

Hi, I am very interested in you review, I will be on the Westerdam 12/13-20 and am bringing some Dutch relatives and I am dutch myself , would like to know if there is still a dutch night on board and how the menus have changed. Have a fabulous cruise!!


I plan to post a review when we return from Westerdam.
Though we've sailed HAL so much and almost all the ship multiple times, we've never sailed Westerdam so we're eager to see/sail her.

We have not had Dutch Night on any of our recent cruises and we miss it. We always enjoyed that tradition on HAL ships but it seems to be eliminated.

Thanks for the 'fabulous cruise' wishes. :) We certainly plan to - HAL never :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hi, I am very interested in you review, I will be on the Westerdam 12/13-20 and am bringing some Dutch relatives and I am dutch myself , would like to know if there is still a dutch night on board and how the menus have changed. Have a fabulous cruise!!

We have been on quite a few different ships the last few years -- and sadly -- the traditional Dutch night that we all got used to are gone. No decorations in the dining room. The girls don't dress in Dutch costumes anymore -- neither do the men. No Dutch cheese bites at cocktail time. And of course -- no Dutch hats to wear during dinner.

[sail7seas]

to finish my above sentence.... :D (edit feature timed out by the time I noticed I left out the end of the thought.


HAL NEVER DISAPPOINTS us! ;)

[Typhoon1]

If in fact, the Dutch foods are gone, I won't miss them.