Holland America Line unveils new menu created by celebrity chef

Many cruisers prioritize the variety of dining options on board. Whether they prefer casual dining options such as a buffet, a taco bar, pizza, or a burger bar, chances are good that travelers will always find something that appeals to their tastes. 

Of course, it also makes perfect sense that seafood would be featured on the menus of some ships. 

Related: Popular US port to add new fee for cruise passengers

That's the case with Holland America Line's new "Morimoto By Sea" dining experience.  The Morimoto by Sea sushi bar is in addition to the existing Morimoto By Sea pop-up experience as well as the stand-alone specialty restaurant on Nieuw Amsterdam. The unique venue features a menu by the cruise line’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador, Chef Masaharu Morimoto.

Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.

Holland America Line (CCL) gave Chef Morimoto the special designation in October of 2023, when it aimed to help travelers "see the world from your doorstep when you cruise with us and taste it with fresh flavors, locally sourced ingredients, and destination-inspired menus." 

The new sushi bars will offer a selection of Morimoto's signature sushi, sashimi, rolls and smaller dishes. The sushi bars will be on five ships and are in addition to the existing pop-up seafood experiences. The Nieuw Amsterdam also hosts a popular stand-alone speciality restaurant. 

Sushi bars for intimate dining 

The new sushi bar experience is a dining experience designed for a limited number of guests: the sushi bar on each ship seats 12 people. 

Holland America Line sushi bars will roll out from March through June 2025, The Nieuw Amsterdam introduced the sushi bar with the Morimoto By Sea stand-alone restaurant in 2023. 

This year, the sushi bar experience will be available on Rotterdam, Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam. Eurodam will feature a small counter for sushi preparation with seating in the surrounding area. 

Travelers with existing bookings on these Holland America Line ships can take advantage of pre-cruise reservations to experience Morimoto By Sea.

Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.

“With Chef Morimoto’s knowledge and expertise in the sushi world, it made sense for him to expand beyond his Morimoto By Sea restaurant and develop a specialized sushi bar featuring his signature style and flavors,” said Holland America Line Food Vice President Michael Stendebach. “We’re excited to extend our fresh fish options and give our guests access to another specialty venue with cuisine by such a renowned chef.” 

A comprehensive sushi menu for Holland America

Items on the Morimoto By Sea sushi bar menu, available beginning in March 2025, include: 

Appetizer Delights to Start

• Toto Tartare: Wasabi, nori paste, sour cream- and chives

Sushi and Sashimi Selections

• Chef’s combination: Sushi Sashimi
• Nigiri and Sashimi: seasonal white fish, maguro tuna, sake salmon, hamachi yellowtail, kampachi amberjack, unagi freshwater eel, hotate scallop, ebi shrimp, tako octopus, Ikura salmon roe, otoro fatty tuna and cutoro medium fatty tuna

Chef’s Signature Sushi Rolls

• Shrimp Tempura: California roll, tempura shrimp and gochujang aioli
• Lobster Tempura: tempura lobster, avocado, romaine lettuce, tobiko, cucumber and scallion
• Tako Yaki: tempura octopus, cabbage, tonkatsu sauce, mayo and bonito flakes
• Aburi Salmon: salmon avocado roll and spicy mayo, torched
• California: snow crab, cucumber and avocado
• Spicy Tuna: tuna, scallion and spicy sauce
• Spicy Salmon: salmon, scallion and spicy sauce

Additional Signature Plates

• Tuna Pizza: anchovy aioli, kalamata olives, red onion and jalapeno
• Sticky Ribs: hoisin sweet chili sauce and cilantro
• Pork Gyoza Dumplings: with scallion ginger sauce
• Poke Bowl: marinated fresh fish, cucumber, avocado, seaweed and rice
• Chicken Katsu curry: panko crusted chicken breast, Japanese curry sauce and rice
• Angry Lobster Pad Thai: Maine lobster, rice noodles and Thai red curry sauce

Dessert

• White Chocolate Lime Ganache: coconut foam, mango yuzu sorbet and rice pudding

Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.

On the Nieuw Amsterdam, the Morimoto By Sea sushi bar will be located in the former Nami Sushi venue, as an a la carte menu offered for a surcharge. Reservations for the venue can be made pre-cruise or once aboard the ship.

(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)

Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.