Holland America Brings Back Favorite End-of-Cruise Tradition

Holland America has announced the return of its guest-favorite “Farewell Dinner,” a special experience in the main dining room designed to serve as grand finale to the cruise.

Held on the final evening of the sailing, the Farewell Dinner features a specially curated menu that’s inspired by Holland America’s culinary heritage and the classic elegance of ocean travel. A highlight of the evening is the traditional “Gelang Sipaku Gelang” song, a Holland America tradition that brings passengers and crew together in a joyful farewell.

As everyone gathers in the dining room, “Home to Rotterdam” plays in the background and the cruise director reflects on memorable moments from the cruise. The evening also honors the culinary team whose care and creativity helped create memorable dining experiences throughout the sailing. During the celebration, team members make their way around the dining room, giving travelers the opportunity to meet and celebrate the people behind the meals they enjoyed during their vacation.

Menu Highlights

Menu items that are part of the Farewell Dinner include:

Set Sail Starters

Chilled Sweet Potato and Stracciatella Salad; Classic Ceasar Salad; Captain’s Antipasto Plate with bresaola beef, dry-cured pork, and prosciutto; Coconut Crusted Shrimp; Iceberg Wedge Salad; Crab Bisque; and French Onion Soup

Sea Day Entrées

Truffled Mushroom Risotto; Port Braised Lamb Shank; Fillet of Beef Wellington; Pork Tenderloin with Cider Apple Puree; Chicken Supreme with Mushroom in White Cream Sauce; Buttered Shrimp; Salmon with Capers and Dill; and Oven-Baked Eggplant Parmigiana

Set Sail Desserts

Apple Crisp with French Vanilla Ice Cream; Baked Alaska with Brandy Bing Cherry Sauce; Pistachio Chocolate Cheesecake; Banana Pudding; and a Black Forest Sundae with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sponge cake, and cherry compote

Pre-Boarding Drinks

A pre-boarding drinks menu complements the food, including cocktails like the Paper Plane, Como Spirit, Penicillin, and Dutch 75.

“As a brand built on more than 150 years of history and hospitality, we know some of the most meaningful moments of a cruise happen around the dinner table,” said Michael Stendebach, senior vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line. “The ‘Farewell Dinner’ is designed to celebrate the journey guests have shared together while creating a memorable farewell before they return home. Featuring dishes that have long been connected to cruising and to Holland America makes the last night with us even more special.”