Good Bye to Dutch night

[iluvcruzin]

I know there's another thread on Dutch night but since it was older I thought I'd start a new one.

HAL discontinued Dutch night starting on our sailing of the Maasdam which ended yesterday. It was supposed to be on the night we stopped in San Juan. When I asked the head waiter about it he told me that due to complaints filed by passengers, they have discountinued this event. Passengers filled out on the comment cards that they should do all nationalities and not just Dutch. The cruiseline opted to drop it all together.

Just sharing the info..

[LAFFNVEGAS]

To my understanding the Ryndam cruise this week is having a Dutch Night and it is tonight. Mary had emailed me Sunday and told me what days were formal and informal and casual and siad that Wednesday was going to be Dutch Night.
I will let you know what it does next week, my guess it will be Monday like it was for tjcletsgo last week when they did the Sea of Cortez.

[Himself]

I think they do a Dutch menu on one of the nights. They just don't call it "Dutch Night" and they don't give out those silly caps and hats and they don't use the Dutch terms for the food.
Himself

[jhannah]

I personally enjoyed having the herring as an appetizer during Dutch Night on our recent Prinsendam cruise. (And we got hats!) However, I got the feeling that most folks weren't really too fond of the event.

[gizmo]

I liked Dutch Night until they started changing the menu. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Dutch Night was not the problem, but the change in menu. :rolleyes:

[canoeny]

Just returned from 7 day carribean on the Oosterdam. Dutch night was not listed on the menu and there were no "Dutch" entrees. We did have the hats but our table mates, who had not cruised with HAl previously, did not know the significance of those silly hats.

[Ziggy7]

We enjoyed our dutch night, glad we got to experience it :)

[Aussie Gal]

We had Dutch night, Canadian National Day, Turkish night and I think Italian night on our cruise on the Prinsendam in October. We had the hats for Dutch night as usual and we enjoyed the food.

Jennie.

[Krazy Kruizers]

As I mentioned in a couple of my posts, we did have Dutch Night on our 21 day cruise on the Statendam. It was listed in the daily program and the menus did reflect the Dutch titles for the most part (also posted the menu). And the hats were at the tables when we entered the dining room.

As far as HAL recognizing Italian night, French night, etc., no great emphasis was placed on them. We got a little music in the dining room but not all the decorations that we used to see in previous years.

[dakrewser]

HAL discontinued Dutch night starting on our sailing of the Maasdam which ended yesterday. It was supposed to be on the night we stopped in San Juan. When I asked the head waiter about it he told me that due to complaints filed by passengers, they have discountinued this event. Passengers filled out on the comment cards that they should do all nationalities and not just Dutch. The cruiseline opted to drop it all together.
Oh, aren't they being ethnically considerate! And, at the same time, saving a few pennies per pax on the hats.

I wonder when they'll start charging for each pat of butter in the Lido?

:rolleyes: -dave

[Vic The Parrot]

When I asked the head waiter about it he told me that due to complaints filed by passengers, they have discountinued this event. Passengers filled out on the comment cards that they should do all nationalities and not just Dutch.



You're kidding, right???


That's like going on a Costa ship, and complaining that they serve pasta. I just don't get some of these morons. People like that should stay home.

[iluvcruzin]

You're kidding, right???I'm not kidding Vic. This was what the head waiter said. I was looking for "Dutch" type of food but there was none on the menu which is why I asked. I guess it was American night as we had a nice sirloin strip steak and whipped potatoes.

Marc could vouch on the change but he ate at the Pinnacle that night.

[cactuslady]

Oh good grief. :rolleyes: And perhaps they should change their name from the terribly un-politically correct and un-inclusive Holland America Line to Loony Toons, so as to better compete with Disney.

On the Prinsendam, we had Dutch Night, as well as Spanish, French, Italian, Greek and Turkish theme dinners to match whatever region we were in. All with decorations (national flags and such) and all delicious.

[Randyk47]

In March on the Oosterdam I couldn't tell you what night, if any, was Dutch night. As far as I can figure it was the night, if they had one, when we were in Cozumel until 11 PM. Interestingly that was the same night that they held the pool side grill. Missed that too because we decided to eat at Senor Frogs on shore. Compared to previous HAL cruises they really kind of downplayed the whole thing and I don't recall anybody mentioning it afterwards. At the time I didn't think much about it.

[~Nereus~]

Oh good grief. :rolleyes: And perhaps they should change their name from the terribly un-politically correct and un-inclusive Holland America Line to Loony Toons, so as to better compete with Disney.

On the Prinsendam, we had Dutch Night, as well as Spanish, French, Italian, Greek and Turkish theme dinners to match whatever region we were in. All with decorations (national flags and such) and all delicious.

First someone knocks the fact that their are DUTCH connections to Holland America, and now you insult Canadian currency
the LOONY ($1) and TOONY ($2).
I've been saving my Loonies & Toonies all year to eat at HAL's theme dinners... (Jan 15 Veendam)

I'm sick and tired of everyone complaining about the Dutch... one insult leads to another:
Dutch uncle, Dutch Treat, and now no Dutch dinner...

[sail7seas]

I liked Dutch Night until they started changing the menu. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Dutch Night was not the problem, but the change in menu. :rolleyes:


I agree.

[dakrewser]

I'm sick and tired of everyone complaining about the Dutch... one insult leads to another:
Dutch uncle, Dutch Treat, and now no Dutch dinner...
Oh, go have another doughnut, eh?

:rolleyes: -dave

[Orcrone]

I'm not kidding Vic. This was what the head waiter said. I was looking for "Dutch" type of food but there was none on the menu which is why I asked. I guess it was American night as we had a nice sirloin strip steak and whipped potatoes.

Marc could vouch on the change but he ate at the Pinnacle that night. I just posted that in another thread, before I noticed this one.

[imsulin]

Silly me. I always enjoyed Dutch night and have a nice collection of those silly hats, as well as pictures of me wearing them! (Sober and not!) Bootietang, anyone??

[szdiver]

I will really miss Dutch night. On the Statendam, we missed Dutch night because we had a special dinner with officers. That night, our friendly bartender placed our hats outside our room, with the islands we visited on that trip, and beautiful decorations of flowers. We were so impressed with them, I had them framed and they hang in our livingroom. It is a shame people mess with tradition.

[~Nereus~]

Oh, go have another doughnut, eh?

:rolleyes: -dave

Us Dutch types would rather have an "Oliebol" or "Poffertjes"

Do a google to see what they are...

[dakrewser]

Us Dutch types would rather have an "Oliebol" or "Poffertjes"
Ah, doughboys!

:) =dave

[Globaliser]

That's like going on a Costa ship, and complaining that they serve pasta. I just don't get some of these morons. People like that should stay home.Read enough of CC, and you soon realise that there are plenty of them on ships. (No names, no pack drill.) They're the ones who cruise because they really want to stay at home rather than travel.

It's irritating that they wreck it for those of us who cruise because we want to (a) cruise and (b) travel, though not necessarily in that order.

[jollycruiser]

Now I'll have find another excuse for dining in the Pinnacle!

[dot73]

Oh, well, another tradition down the drain. One of the reasons I enjoyed HAL is that the ships were big on tradition, i.e. dress code, beautiful antiques. I thought Dutch night was fun and there was always something on the menu that was delicious. The people who didn't like it, always had the choice of eating in the Pinnacle or in the Lido.

[Arubalisa]

We did have the hats but our table mates, who had not cruised with HAl previously, did not know the significance of those silly hats.No opinion one way or the other on Dutch night. Last Thanksgiving while aboard the Golden Princess we had the pleasure of looking down upon some diners sitting windowside on the Zuid. Not knowing anything about HAL, and being in the Thanksgiving spirit as we were, we all thought they were Pilgrim's hats! :o

[Himself]

Hey Gang:

Let's all sing "Farwell to the Dutch Night" to the tune of "Farwell to thee Argentina" from the play and the movie EVITA. Just a suggestion

[Roadwork]

Hey Gang:

Let's all sing "Farwell to the Dutch Night" to the tune of "Farwell to thee Argentina" from the play and the movie EVITA. Just a suggestion
I'm game, but I might need help with the words.

[bepsf]

So what are they gonna replace it with - Meatloaf and TV dinner night?

:rolleyes:

[DB469]

I just read on another post yes, meatloaf is on the dinner menu could you believe this!!!

[digby]

I know there's another thread on Dutch night but since it was older I thought I'd start a new one.

HAL discontinued Dutch night starting on our sailing of the Maasdam which ended yesterday. It was supposed to be on the night we stopped in San Juan. When I asked the head waiter about it he told me that due to complaints filed by passengers, they have discountinued this event. Passengers filled out on the comment cards that they should do all nationalities and not just Dutch. The cruiseline opted to drop it all together.

Just sharing the info..

Having experienced Dutch Night only on the new Westerdam, I don't think they are giving up much! It certainly was far from the high spot on the cruise.

[elmorejj]

As the British and the Dutch have always been good friends and allies, I think they should replace it with British night. MENU: fish & chips, bangers and mash, toad in the hole, cock o` leekie, mince & neeps, and for dessert, spotted dick, jam roly poly, clootie dumpling and a good cuppa...doesn`t that entice you all.....jean :cool: :cool:

[Himself]

I must admit I have heard negative things about Dutch Night over the years, but I always got a serloin that night. I will never complain about steak of any kind.
Himself

[~Nereus~]

As the British and the Dutch have always been good friends and allies, I think they should replace it with British night. MENU: fish & chips, bangers and mash, toad in the hole, cock o` leekie, mince & neeps, and for dessert, spotted dick, jam roly poly, clootie dumpling and a good cuppa...doesn`t that entice you all.....jean :cool: :cool:

Saw a painting of the Dutch fleet sail up the Thames to dispute the "always".. Smart enough to sell the Dutch American colonies to them before the colonials got restless...

I think they were disputing the menu...

[~Nereus~]

I must admit I have heard negative things about Dutch Night over the years, but I always got a sirloin that night. I will never complain about steak of any kind.
Himself

Sole.. some argue the best/mildest fish... Filet Mignon or sirloin as beef dish and they complained... maybe it was the hats that ruined too many perms...

[Nautical Wheeler]

Just returned from 7 day carribean on the Oosterdam. Dutch night was not listed on the menu and there were no "Dutch" entrees. We did have the hats but our table mates, who had not cruised with HAl previously, did not know the significance of those silly hats.
Were you on the 10/31 sailing? We had the same issue. We were going to plan alternative dining for Dutch night since we had read so many negative reviews concerning it. There was no announcement in the daily schedule and we didn't know it was Dutch night until we got to the dining room and the silly hats were at our table. Fortunately we were able to find something on the menu we enjoyed. Our wait staff in no way acknowledged "Dutch Night". If we had not sailed on HAL before we would not know what was going on.:confused:

[Esme]

As the British and the Dutch have always been good friends and allies, I think they should replace it with British night. MENU: fish & chips, bangers and mash, toad in the hole, cock o` leekie, mince & neeps, and for dessert, spotted dick, jam roly poly, clootie dumpling and a good cuppa...doesn`t that entice you all.....jean :cool: :cool:

Sounds good Jean! :D

Just found out they are now going to call it International Night, like they did when we first started cruising with HAL over 20 years ago.

[peaches from georgia]

...Just found out they are now going to call it International Night, like they did when we first started cruising with HAL over 20 years ago.
Do you know more about the menu on International Night, Esme? We can count on you and your 'contacts' on the ships to know the latest. ;)

[Cauvet]

We loved Dutch night and will miss it. Something very unique for HAL. I hope they still will have the Indonesian lunch.

[localady]

I enjoyed Dutch night myself, and now I am really disappointed.

It's been reported that "International" night doesn't include chocolate tulips!!!:eek:
Say it isn't so, we can take alot of changes, but don't take our chocolate!!!!!:eek: :eek:

[iluvcruzin]

I never saw chocolate tulips. We checked out the deserts every night before entering the dining room.

[Roadwork]

As the British and the Dutch have always been good friends and allies, I think they should replace it with British night. MENU: fish & chips, bangers and mash, toad in the hole, cock o` leekie, mince & neeps, and for dessert, spotted dick, jam roly poly, clootie dumpling and a good cuppa...doesn`t that entice you all.....jean :cool: :cool:The fish and chips should be served in newspaper to make it authentic.:rolleyes:

[jima53]

NO Dutch night on the 10/23 Zaandam cruise. Maybe people were not into names they couldn't pronounce and were more comfortable with regular entrees.

Jim

[kelelmel]

Just returned yesterday from the Zuiderdam and no Dutch Night in sight. Ufortunately, there was meatloaf on the menu.

~Kelly

[HeatherInFlorida]

They must be phasing it out slowly because last week on the Oosterdam they called it "International Night", but we still had out Dutch hats and caps. But there was nothing remotely Dutch on the menu that I could see. It was, however, an excellent dinner and sorry to report I can't remember what I ate that night.

More on food overall when I write my review.

I asked Panji, our waiter, whatever happened to the Chocolate Tulip and he simply told me "no tulip". I must say the chocolate mousse dessert I had in its place was amazing.

[Aloha_Jackie]

Lisa - please post whether they have it for your cruise on the Ryndam and let us know if they will have it for ours - we were really looking forward to it! I know Mary told you they had it last week, if they do it for you this week then next week hopefully they'll have it for us - I wanted to get pictures of us wearing those hats! :(

[willowtak]

Last week on the Rotterdam we had a Dutch lunch but I didn't pay attention to the menu. They did give out the ladies hats.

[Aloha_Jackie]

we heard the Chocolate extravaganza was moved to an afternoon as well

[arzz]

No pea soup?....No herring?

[HeatherInFlorida]

Yes, on the Oosterdam last week they absolutely did have pea soup and herring. And the pea soup was delicious. I just don't consider that Dutch, per se. So I'm sure many of the items remain. But they also (at least I think it was that night) offered Indonesian food ... hence the new name International Night.

[RevNeal]

Passengers filled out on the comment cards that they should do all nationalities and not just Dutch.

People ... it's the HOLLAND America line ... Dutch people live in Holland! Dutch people eat Dutch food!!!!!!!

[Himself]

Sometimes it doesn't do too much good to whine and complain.

[HeatherInFlorida]

we heard the Chocolate extravaganza was moved to an afternoon as well
We had what was called the "dessert extravaganza" at 10:30 p.m. on Friday night in the Lido. There was no "chocolate" extravaganza and though I didn't go to the dessert one, our friends who did go said it was unbelievably bad. They laid out extravagant and wonderful looking desserts, but they were only for show and you couldn't eat them.

The desserts that were offered were bite size and didn't even come close to the desserts offered in the Lido at lunchtime (which were, btw, amazingly good!)

[Aloha_Jackie]

Heather - this news isnt giving me a warm fuzzy - we waited and waited all this time and finally we get the chance to sail HAL and it seems they are not offering as many as the time-honored traditions as they have in the past....are they trying to save a buck or is this part of a larger scheme? What are your thoughts?

Rev Neal (Greg)? Did you see alot of cutbacks on your Panama Canal cruise? I thought they had the dutch nite, chocolate thing, etc:confused:

Drat, really was looking forward to those goofy hats too:(

Thanks for your comments

[~Nereus~]

Sometimes it doesn't do too much good to whine and complain.

Dutch uncle
n.
A stern, candid critic or adviser.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Noun 1. Dutch uncle - a counselor who admonishes frankly and sternly
counselor, counsellor - someone who gives advice about problems :pDutch Uncle