Recently we returned from an Alaska Cruise and thought some comments about  the on board food would be fun. We were on the Holland America ship Zaandam for 7 days and enjoyed every moment. Great scenery, great crew, great service and great food. 

The Zaandam has several restaurants to supply the 1450 passengers on board and they are all good. Starting at the most casual at the  DIVE IN,  a take out joint adjacent to the Lido Pool. A variety of burgers, make your own Tacos and , my favourite, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs are available all day. Had a Hot Dog which came with Crispy fried onions. So good. The French Fries were excellent too which on several occasions we paired with a cold glass of Pinot Grigio whilst lounging near the pool. The Burgers looked good and we saw many passengers choosing them. 

For casual dining, breakfast, lunch or dinner,  the Lido Market is the place. I’m not an enthusiast of buffets but on Zaandam they do a really good job . Not self serve. There are serving stations where crew plate the choices for you. Very civilized and it eliminates the fill your plate to the top syndrome. The lunch buffet includes some ready made delicious sandwiches, an expansive salad bar, Pizza, Asian food featuring quite good Sushi, Chinese Food, the noodles were excellent, Indian and Indonesian specialties. The Butter Chicken was really a treat. Then there is a daily roast with vegetables, pasta and desserts. Really everything for an interesting different lunch daily. Didn’t do breakfast or dinner here. Why would you when there is the formal dining room. 

In 7 days we did room service breakfast twice. continental with delicious pastries and fresh fruit. Great service and it’s available 24 hours a day. 

But the Dining Room. A two level elegant room at the stern of the ship. We chose it for breakfast most days and were not disappointed. Sheila enjoyed the fresh fruit and super thin bacon. For me their corn beef hash with perfectly poached eggs was wonderful. One day I succumbed to the Lobster Eggs Benedict! Oh my. So good. Outstanding Hollandaise sauce and perfectly cooked poached eggs again. The service here was first class. the waiters are all Indonesian chaps, very gracious and friendly. 

Dinner in the dining room was a treat. Once again, exemplary service and a good choice of entrees. On our first night we enjoyed fabulous Rack of Lamb, one of our favourites. The portions are modest so one can enjoy an appetizer, entree and dessert without over doing it. Other favourites included escargots, fish, and brisket. I broke out once and tried the Indonesian Bami Goreng and thoroughly enjoyed it. 

There are two specialty venues on Zaandam.  The PINNACLE GRILL, a steak and seafood room and Il Canaletto an Italian specialty restaurant. We dined twice at the latter. There is a surcharge of $25 per person. The food was very good. Best ever Short Ribs one night. The flight of Gelato for dessert won me over. But probably not worth the surcharge considering how happy we were with the main dinning room. 

Did not try the Pinnacle although I did on a previous cruise. Here is the menu: 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/onboard-experiences/dining/pinnacle-grill

One night it became a pop up restaurant featuring a menu by famous Japanese Chef Madaharu Marimoto.  We didn’t try it but it was an exciting menu. You can peruse his menu here: 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/onboard-experiences/dining/morimoto-by-sea-pop-up

We love food and we love restaurants. The various offerings on Zaandam certainly did not disappoint. All good and most enjoyable. And unlike cruises when I was younger we avoided gluttony and arrived home looking the same as when left. 

We really enjoyed the 7 day Vancouver to Vancouver cruise and didn’t want to disembark on Day 7. Highly recommended by both of us. 

Just saying…