What is wrong with Dutch night?

[Pudgesmom]

It seems everyone is trying to avoid Dutch night. So far, the only concrete complaint I've read is about "the hats."

Is the food bad, or just limited and ethnic? What is served? Are the hats painful?


Beth

[Candy]

Dutch Night is a HAL tradition, serving classic Dutch cuisine. Now that they have removed Dover Sole from the menu, we choose that night to visit the Pinnacle. The hats are silly looking to some, but it's part of the fun. The link to the East and West Menus are in my sigfile below.

It seems everyone is trying to avoid Dutch night. So far, the only concrete complaint I've read is about "the hats." Is the food bad, or just limited and ethnic? What is served? Are the hats painful? Beth

[mmacdcc]

I really appreciate you posting the menus - this will be our first cruise and it's a huge help.

I can't wait -- PEA SOUP!! REAL DUTCH PEA SOUP!! I love it, my husband hates it, so I rarely get anything but canned stuff, which is barely edible.

This will be so wonderful -- I get my pea soup and he gets his liver (I HATE liver, so I don't cook it).

[divinggirl]

The menu posted didnt' really look very similar to the menu on my 8/21 Zuiderdam sailing. The food was not good that night. Very limited selection and neither myself, my mom or sister ate our meal. It' s no wonder everyone makes their Odessey rez that night. Truly, next time I'd eat in the Lido if I couldn't get into the Odessey, it was that bad, IMHO. I go tthe chicken and peanut sauce thingy, although I think it was called something different, and it was not very tasty.

I had the MOST fantastic time on my cruise on the Zuiderdam and would return on a heartbeat, but was not impressed with the food the entire week. It was better than what they served on Dutch nite, overall, but nothing great. Didn't get to the Odessey, though. Maybe next time. However, food is food and as long as I can eat something. somewhere, I'm happy. Nothing wrong with not gaining 5 pounds...although I don't do desserts :rolleyes:

[dakrewser]

It seems everyone is trying to avoid Dutch night. So far, the only concrete complaint I've read is about "the hats." Is the food bad, or just limited and ethnic? What is served? Are the hats painful?
The food is different, especially to "plain meat and potatoes" Americans. If you like Thai or Malaysian cooking, you'll like the Indonesian selections. If you enjoy German or "Pennsylvania Dutch" food then the Dutch selections should please you. The hats are there, most people try them on, and few have them on at the end of the meal.

We enjoy Dutch night, although the Dover Sole (and it was always a treat to watch the asst. Maitre d' de-bone it) will be sadly missed.

[DFD1]

From what I hear around here, the food is awful....at least by "cruise critic members' s standards". To be honest I did not think much of it either.

[Ziggy7]

Ok so we are weird, we liked Dutch night, thought it was fun and enjoyed the food we had :) We didnt go to it our second week b2b cruise becasue we wanted to try the BBQ they had at the midship Lido pool! that was real yummy too! we cut our steaks with a butter knife they were so tender, no fat on them either :) (drooling)

[Orcrone]

Ok so we are weird, we liked Dutch night, thought it was fun and enjoyed the food we had :) We didnt go to it our second week b2b cruise becasue we wanted to try the BBQ they had at the midship Lido pool! that was real yummy too! we cut our steaks with a butter knife they were so tender, no fat on them either :) (drooling)Ziggy,

Wipe off that keyboard before you short out the thing!!:D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I have to admit I really did not care for it either. DH is a very picky eater so it was just OK for him he did find something but I think he went up to the Lido later to grab something else to eat. I did enjoy the hats but I think it would be more fun if they made a Bigger Deal of it. Like a little Dutch Parade:eek: Wooden Shoes and ALL. We have decided on this next cruise on the Ryndam to go to the Pinnacle that night.
As far as Dolver Sole, I had read so much about how grea it was. So, I bought some at Trader Joes here in Vegas and cooked it on the grill. YUCK,:confused: I am not sure what everyone sees in it. I much prefer Orange Roughy.

[mmacdcc]

Don't cook it on a grill -- it will dry out way too fast. It's best baked or broiled, with butter and lemon (and maybe a little parsley). If you can get crab, stuff it with crab and bake it.

Or you can dip it in flour, then egg and crushed pecans and oven fry it. I do that with catfish too, it comes out wonderful.

[the2ofus]

We really enjoy Dutch Night, although I look really dumb in the Dutch hat. My sister and my niece both looked really pretty in theirs, though.

Have tried nearly every entree on the menu with the exception of the one seafood dish that contains scallops (serious allergy to them). All of the entrees I tried have been delicious, but I think I prefer the Bami Goreng. I also liked the pastry shell appetizer a lot.

On one Noordam cruise I had the calves liver and it was the best I have ever been served anywhere. In fact I had stopped ordering it anywhere because it always disappointed. Tried it on the Noordam because I knew I could order another dish if I didn't like it.

I find that, in general, the food on HAL is subtly seasoned so people who like strong seasonings or a lot of salt might find it too mild. Also, people who smoke may not taste some of the flavors that we enjoy. (Please don't flame me for this, it is a fact that smoking dulls your taste, but I'm not judging those who choose to smoke.)

[Pudgesmom]

Thanks, everyone, for your opinions. I'm not surpirsed to see they're as varied as we cruisers probably are.:) I think we'll give Dutch night a try- both of us like Indonesian food.

Beth

[Orcrone]

From the comments in this thread it will be impossible to tell whether we'll enjoy it unless we try it. And a cruise is an opportunity to try foods that we don't normally eat. So I plan on giving it a try. Since we're at the 6:15 seating we can always get up and head to the barbecue if we don't like it.

[RuthC]

If you don't like it don't get up and head to the bar-b-que until you've had the chocolate tulip. It's to die for!!!!

[scamper]

I can't say that I'm really worked up over Dutch and Indonesian food, myself. That's the night we generally do the alternative venue. The one thing I can say for these cuisines is that they beat Scots food all to heck. The thought of haggis puts me off my feed.

[Orcrone]

If you don't like it don't get up and head to the bar-b-que until you've had the chocolate tulip. It's to die for!!!!I will definitely give the chocolate tulip a try. But why does it not shock me that you love a desert with chocolate?:D

[Pincus]

It seems everyone is trying to avoid Dutch night. So far, the only concrete complaint I've read is about "the hats."

Is the food bad, or just limited and ethnic? What is served? Are the hats painful?


Beth

A HAL tradition, Dutch night was never my favorite. Usually, the Dover sole was quite good that evening, as was the Indonesian Bami Goreng. However, I have heard that both have been eliminated as a cost-cutting measure. Too bad. Not sure what we'll do if we cruise HAL again.

[Krazy Kruizers]

When HAL gave up the Dover Sole on Dutch, that's when we started to go to the Pinnacle.

We got tired of hunting the area around the pool for a table for BBQ. Some people camped out early and never moved the entire evening. And we have noticed that fewer and fewer tables were set up for BBQ (compared to years ago). The few times we did attend, the steaks were tough. So we gave that up.

JOHO.

[Cruising Jake]

On our January sailing of the Oosterdam we did not get hats for Dutch night.

[CLapple]

On our January sailing of the Oosterdam we did not get hats for Dutch night.

Aren't you the lucky ones?

[cactuslady]

We were seated with a group of Dutch New Zealanders on our recent Prinsendam cruise, so of course did not dare to miss Dutch night. Besides, we adore pea soup. The food was highly praised by the Dutch group, especially the Dover sole, which was present, and the herring. There were many other menu selections -- I had a nice duck breast, and DH probably had his usual beef.

The highlight was being treated to a demonstration of the "traditional Dutch way" to eat the herring appetizer -- held aloft by the tail and dropped daintily into the open mouth below. Well worth the price of admission.

Understandably enough, HAL attracts quite a few Dutch and other northern europeans as passengers. They seem to appreciate that HAL puts on a special menu designed to appeal to their tastes as well as that of Americans.

As for the deck BBQ, the meal we had on the Statendam last year was so bad, and the steak so tough and gristly, that I don't think we would go to one again. Everyone's experience seems to be different.

[Southbound]

Have noticed quite a few posters mention how much they enjoy bami goreng. What exactly is it, please?

[bepsf]

Have noticed quite a few posters mention how much they enjoy bami goreng. What exactly is it, please?
It's sort of a sweet/spicy (mild on HAL) noodle-y dish with bits of meatball & meat on a skewer served w/ those funky white rice crackers.

Rather yummy, too

[Cruiseoften]

Can't understand why so many are down on Dutch Night. For heavens sakes, you don't have to wear the hats!

DH wouldn't miss it for anything - he loves those herrings and the pea soup - I skip the herring, UGH! Tried the Dover Sole - not to my liking - it was swimming in butter - way too gooey. See we all have different likes! Regardless, there's always something to be enjoyed.

As for the BBQ - we've only done that a couple of times - as someone said you have to camp out late afternoon to snag a table and then stand in line for leather-like steaks (at least that was our experience).

Those Chocolate Tulips are to die for - the only night I eat dessert! :D

[Himself]

I was once on a cruise with a man from Holland who told me the menu on the Dutch night was not what you would find in a fine restaurant but what a family might eat at home on a typical night. This was not said to criticize or praise but to inform. It is getting back the the "dutch roots.

Himself

[jcike1980]

I have nothing personal against dutch nite. but it is generally held the same nite as the bar-b-que. jcike

[Sage]

I must agree that the chocolate tulips are not to be missed.

[Tatka]

I wouldn't miss Amsterdam Chocolate Tulip (filled with mousse)...;)

I don't think food was awfull , just less familiar selections than during other dinners.

I found HAL's buffets to be slightly better than Celebrity's (not quality but number of choices). Celebrity wins in dining room, but it doesn't mean HAL's food was bad, it was very good to exellent. Much better than RCI anyway. ;)

[Roz]

I personally love Dutch night, goofy hats and all. Where else are you going to have the opportunity to simultaneously eat Dutch and Indonesian food? Where's your spirit of adventure. BTW, I thought the chocolate tulip was overated, but that Dutch apple tart is quite yummy.

Roz

[kruzkeen]

On a cool, misty evening the hearty food is enjoyable. However, after a hot day doing an excursion or sitting around the pool Dutch night is too heavy.

I have never liked the ondeck barbques. The meats and corn are overcooked.

On one occassion, perhaps after too much wine the three couples switched hats. The ladies looked like butch truck drivers and the men like ruddy faced flying nuns. I still have the picture, but I will not post it.

[DFD1]

Between the less than exciting menu in the dining room and the overcooked and tough fare at the Barbeque, Dutch night usually finds us in the Pennicle or the Lido.

One year we stood in line around the pool forever waiting to get to the Barbeque buffet. When we finally got there it was less than inviting....a lot less.

There's pretty good barbeque available around here on just about every corner, so maybe we just expected too much.

No harm done. HAL does a great job with it's shipboard programs. No serious complaints from here. Can't wait to board the Volendam in November.

[RuthC]

I like wearing the funny hat, actually. Helps me get in the spirit of the evening.

I tend to be a fussy eater; oh, let's be honest---I can put Garfield to shame, I'm so finicky. But on Dutch Night I have tried some new foods knowing I can always ask for something else if it's truly awful. Never had to go to Plan B yet.
Love that 3-berry soup! And that chocolate tulip dessert is a marvelous reward.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I think we'll do Dutch Night again this cruise. I mentioned it to DH the other day and couldn't believe when he pulled out his Hat from our last HAL cruise!!!!

I figure if I don't like the menu, I'll have 2 Chocolate Tulips. By then it will be time to skip a meal anyway;) . We'll go to the Pinnacle when it's not so crowded:o

[marybeach]

On our cruise last December, the bar-b-que was the same as Dutch nite. The grilled steaks, salmon, and other items were wonderful around the pool. There was a line at the beginning, but we had been in the hot tub, and while the line was long, we each went down and showered and one of us held the table. In fact, our tables mates from the dining room found us and sat with us again that night. We had fun watching the staff set things up and a grilled steak and salad in the open night air under the stars was quite nice. However, if you've never done the Dutch experience, try it once. It is part of the tradition. (It's a cruise, do both.) Outdoors is about 6:30-8:00...so work around your dining time. The hats are cute souveniers, even if you don't appreciate the taste of the food.

[patticake1448]

My friends and I had a great time at our first Dutch nite! After an akward couple of nites with our table-mates, the cute hats actually broke the ice and had us all in stiches. we had a good time laughing at one another and taking pictures. I'm a pretty picky eater, but there was something on the menu for everyone. It's part of the Holland America experience, so go for it!

[Celestia]

We (my travelling companion and I) just finished Circle Hawaii on the Statendam. We didn't know to expect Dutch Night, but found it fun.

He doesn't 'do' hats, no fuss was made. I DO do hats and met a number of pleasant people as I wore mine throughout dinner and on the way back to our stateroom to freshen up before the show - one turned out to be from the next town at home!

I dislike Indonesian food in general, but whatever I had for dinner was perfectly acceptable. If you find you don't like the food and don't choose to order something else, the Lido is open until 8pm at least, and there's always the 11pm Late Night Snack which I found to be some of the most delightful food on the entire trip. My companion had the Indonesian dish someone mentioned was no longer on the menu (it is!) and found it very much to his liking.

As for the various BBQ On Deck offerings, I found them consistantly less than desireable and often undercooked, and it was the one time food service staff seemed to be stressed and showing it.

YMMY and FW&FS,

C

[CrazyforCruisin]

We had a wonderful time at Dutch nite. Our tablemates all wore their hats. We took pics, enjoyed the food, the wait staff were in great moods and could not do enough for us and the desserts were heavenly. So go and enjoy. As for the BBQ, didn't know about that but sounds like we can skip it. Hate waiting in line for bad food.

[AlinaMaria]

Will be on the Zuiderdam for Thanksgiving week. Last February on the Rotterdam I just LOVED the Chocolate Tulip dessert on Dutch Night, the rest of the menu I can do without, it was not that great except for the pea soup which was really good. Personally, did not like the dutch hats, it ruined my hair for the entire evening. Is the Chocolate Tulip dessert available at the Lido? Thanks,
AlinaMaria

[RuthC]

Is the Chocolate Tulip dessert available at the Lido? Thanks,
AlinaMariaI don't know if it's available in the Lido on Dutch Night, but do know that if there are any leftovers they will be on the Lido dessert display the next lunchtime.
I always go looking for more. :D

[gizmo]

I looked at the Meatloaf Night menu on another thread. I think it is now a toss up between Dutch Night and Meatloaf Night as to which one is the worst.

I always enjoyed Dutch Night in the past. I miss the Dover Sole. :(

[peaches from georgia]

We have been in the Pinnacle on 3 Dutch nights and there was no Chocolate Tulip dessert. I think they have chocolate covered with the Volcano.

We have enjoyed a variety of entrees in the Pinnacle- filet mignons which are superb w/ or w/out the lobster tail, a ribeye which was not, the lamb chops which are now DH's favorite, and I have had the salmon and ciopinno, both of which were great. Next cruise I know we will be there at least 3 night out of 10. :D

[jazzsea]

We are not fans of Dutch Night because the food is simple not great. I've heard that the menu selections will be changing and am eager to see what additions have been made.

That night is usually a Lido meal for us or room service.

[bookworm0911]

.... I've heard that the menu selections will be changing and am eager to see what additions have been made.
Couldn't the chef cook it French and call it Dutch? We'd never tell. :p

[Giorgi-one]

The menu posted didnt' really look very similar to the menu on my 8/21 Zuiderdam sailing. The food was not good that night. Very limited selection and neither myself, my mom or sister ate our meal. It' s no wonder everyone makes their Odessey rez that night. Truly, next time I'd eat in the Lido if I couldn't get into the Odessey, it was that bad, IMHO. I go tthe chicken and peanut sauce thingy, although I think it was called something different, and it was not very tasty.

I had the MOST fantastic time on my cruise on the Zuiderdam and would return on a heartbeat, but was not impressed with the food the entire week. It was better than what they served on Dutch nite, overall, but nothing great. Didn't get to the Odessey, though. Maybe next time. However, food is food and as long as I can eat something. somewhere, I'm happy. Nothing wrong with not gaining 5 pounds...although I don't do desserts :rolleyes:

I totally agree with you about the food on the Zuiderdam. BAD!!! However, I do not agree with the "food is food and as long as I can eat anything" comment. Holland American bills itself as a premium cruise line and if they want to back that up, the food should be premium. Please don't anyone start with the 5* argument. If they want to be considered a premium cruise line, their main competition is Celebrity and HAL doesn't even come close. I understand that they hired a new executive chef, so maybe things will change for the better.

As far a Dutch night, I understand there is a fantastic barbeque on deck that night. Steak and Ribs. Almost anything would be better than that "garbage" they served on our cruise. My wife ordered the seafood and there was about an ounce of seafood over two pounds of rice.

[~Nereus~]

My wife and I look forward to Dutch night.. It has been 3 years since the Noordam and we remember only that all the food was the best in over 40 cruises... I find food varies from ship to ship because of the chef..

For those who like liver (the dish my wife will prepare when it's REALLY over) try the Sun Princess... just returned from 20 days and all their beef tastes like liver.. even the filet mignon) imagine Beef Wellington without the pate, but tasting the same

If the Dover sole is gone @#%@!! it's the one fish I actually enjoyed (except for New Orleans blackened types) Love the Satay... the beef or chicken on a stick with the spicy peanut sauce..

Hats are ugly and never wore them except in a picture we had taken in Volendam (the City).. in Holland.

Then again, both my wife and I were born in Holland... now if they only offered traditional salty black licorice, I'd be in Dutch heaven...

[DB469]

Going on my 30th cruise first one on HAL in a few months. Heard so much about people not liking the dutch menu. I am so glad to hear they are changing the menu. We do not eat seafood, and hate liver and pea soup I love but it hates me severe heartburn, so I am glad that I will enjoy my meal as the menu has changed.

Ok, the hats, well.....I guess they try to give you the "real sense" of dutch night, does that mean they took off $10.00 for the cost of the hat? LOL
Heard so much about this tulip dessert and 3 Berry Soup, since so many of you love those they should keep them on the menu.

Its nice knowing that HAL has done research and found that more people do not like Dutch night so they eliminated it, shows they care about the passengers wants. Just my opinion, now to find out what they replaced the dutch menu with? :)

[trubey]

Dutch night, French night, Italian night . . . All pretty much the same, but we had funny hats to liven up dinner conversation.

Face it. Shipboad food, at least what I had on the Prinsendam, was about one step above any other institutional food, viz., a college cafeteria or a boarding school. Sorry, but this ain't Haute Cuisine.

Lane

[~Nereus~]

Dutch night, French night, Italian night . . . All pretty much the same, but we had funny hats to liven up dinner conversation.

Sorry, but this ain't Haute Cuisine.

Lane

translated I think... "High Kitchen"

[JoeCruisin]

On our cruise last week on the O dutch nite was one night before the bbq and the menu dutch night didn't appear to be dutch or indonesian. They did have the hats and chocalate tulip though.

[sail7seas]

We used to enjoy Dutch Night and chose to never miss it.


Since they have changed the menu, we try very hard to miss it.


They certainly have had enough complaints to know that a great many of us do not like the new Dutch Night Menu to have made changes if they wished to. I guess they think it's fine the way it is. I disagree.

[zil]

Dutch night adds flavor to the cruise. It is meant to be a fun night.. Who cares what you look like in the hats. Food is interesting and educational. You might be surprised with it all... at least you do not have to put on Dutch shoes! The evening is a touch of Holland, if you have never traveled to Amsterdam etc. Don`t miss this enjoyable evening!