Looking for more adventurous Spring break ideas? Cruise to the Southern Caribbean and visit the exotic islands of Aruba and Curacao off the coast of South America! Only have one day to visit Curacao island? No problem! Here’s where to start.
First, no visit would be complete without an experiencing the Curacao Liqueur Distillery and sampling a blue curaçao cocktail.
Known mainly for their blue Curacao, it actually comes in a variety of flavors like chocolate, coffee, rum raisin and tamarind. Who knew?!
Curacao Island Stop #1 – Curacao Liqueur Distillery
Bon Bini! That means “Welcome” in Curacao’s language, Papiamento.
When I entered the distillery in the historic mansion there was a large room with information about the history of the distillery and how curaçao is made.
Curacao is made from the dried peel of the bitter laraha orange. This distillery was actually started and owned by a woman. Go female entrepreneurs!!
Then I moved through to see the window of the factory workers filling the distinctive curaçao bottles. They look about as excited as I am when I’m at work! I guess they don’t get the free samples.
After that I got to taste the different flavors of Curacao. My favorite was of course the chocolate!
Once I got my free samples I ended up in a large bar area where you can order your favorite curaçao cocktails.
The bar area was of course busy. I was here for a brief visit, so I didn’t have time to stop and order a curaçao cocktail.
Last stop was the gift shop. As with all tourist destinations all roads lead to the gift shop!
The gift shop was absolutely insane with people. If you don’t want to or have enough time to wait in line don’t worry. You can purchase many of the same products along the pier, often for about the same price.
I did a brief tour through the crowds and then got out of there. I’m not a person for crowds.
I bought a little bottle of chocolate curaçao at one of the shops near the port for $8. About two and a half shots.
They also have lovely gift packs with several different flavors if you are looking for great gifts for your friends back home.
Me not wanting to check a bag on the way home only bought one small bottle that fit in my 1 quart bag of liquids.
My friends were probably disappointed I didn’t bring any home to share. Ah, c’est la vie. Next time!
Curacao Island Stop #2 – Aloe Farm
Second, if you are looking for other unique and fun things to do in Curacao island in a day check out one of the Aloe Farms.
Aloe is a large export for Curacao and I loved getting to see one of the plantations. I gathered with my tour group in a large thatched roof palapa for an informational talk about aloe and its many uses.
In addition to its wonderful use as an aid to sunburn, people actually eat it to treat illness. I was able to try a piece which tasted to me a little like cucumber. In my opinion aloe is better as a sunburn aid then a snack. 😂
I made the terrible mistake of going out without sunscreen the first day at port and got a fiery, peeling sunburn to show for it. The aloe samples were a welcome treat to sooth my burning arms and chest. As a kid I remember my grandma always had a plant she used for cuts and burns too.
As much as I’ve traveled I still make the occasional mistake, so don’t beat yourself up when that happens to you.
Here’s a tip from your best friend. Buy a solid sunscreen stick to keep in your toiletry bag. This way you always have it handy and it doesn’t have to count as part of your liquids in your one quart bag for the plane.
I usually buy a can of sunscreen spray when I get to my destination, but didn’t have the opportunity before boarding the cruise this time
The aloe farm also has a nice gift shop with all kinds of potions and lotions you can try.
There is also a chance to try aloe juice. Be adventurous and give it a try! Not the best tasting, but definitely an opportunity that you don’t have often.
I love to try new experiences! Sometimes you will have a lovely new habit as a souvenir you can incorporate into your life back home. Other times you just have a bragging rights or a great story to tell your friends. If you have the opportunity go for it!!
I perused the shop and headed outside to their wraparound deck to check out the flora and fauna.
It’s was such a luxury to be somewhere warm and sunny while it’s cold and gray back home in March in Colorado. Plus, I was treated to seeing these beautiful yellow birds taking a welcome respite from the hot Curacao island sun under the shady palms!
How many birds can you spot? When I took the photo it was pretty bright out and I only saw one.
When reviewing and editing my photos I was thrilled to find there are actually four! Can you find the last one?
# 3 – Serena’s Art Factory
Lastly, if you are looking for more unique things to do in Curacao island check out some fun art at Serena’s Art Factory. They make Chichi sculptures.
A Chichi in Curacao is the oldest sister who doesn’t marry and takes care of her younger siblings and aging parents. They are much loved in Curacao.
This interesting artist enclave makes colorful sculptures of these voluptuous ladies like the one below.
Serena’s Art Factory has a pretty garden surrounding the workshop and gift shop that displays some of their sculptures. I liked this hanging coconut bird. Although not sure it was for sale.
In the workshop I watched the artists molding and painting the Chichis.
Being an animal lover my favorite sculptures in the gift shop were of course the little Pushis (cats) and Chochis (dog) below.
I love how colorful they are and they are the perfect size to bring home in your carry on bag.
I explored Curacao island as an excursion on a Holland America cruise. The above excursion takes about 2 hours, quick, but fun. Plus it leaves time for a blue curaçao cocktail and time to explore Curacao island a little on your own!
Here’s another tip from your best friend. Make sure your book your Holland America excursions at least a month before your cruise leaves. They fill up quick and you don’t want to miss out! These cruisers are planners.
I enjoy having the cruise ship take care of all the logistics once in awhile. Plus if there are any changes to your itinerary due to weather or mechanical issues they will rebook for you.
After the excursion take some extra time in Curacao to stroll along the port and check out all the vendor stalls. You can buy the authentic Curacao liqueur to make your curaçao cocktails, colorful Caribbean shirts and sarongs, hand painted signs as well as all the usual kitschy souvenirs.
There is a also a great cocktail hut right off the cruise ship with inexpensive frozen cocktails. Much cheaper than you will find on your cruise ship.
Keeping walking along the port and check out the cool fort below or wander further to explore more shops and restaurants.
My favorite store was the Heinen Delffts Blauw pottery store in the courtyard just past the fort. I bought a beautiful and colorful little ceramic replica of a Curacao island home to remember my trip.
I visited Curacao island on Holland America’s Southern Caribbean cruise in March on the Nieuw Statendam.
Read my reviews of Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam. Check out my other posts on their accommodations, food, drinks and entertainment, plus my stop in Aruba.
Bon Bini to Curacao island! Don’t forget to have a a blue curaçao cocktail when you visit!
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It’s March 2024 and cruise season is in full swing. You may be wondering what are Holland America cruises like?
Think that this cruise line is only for the senior citizen crowd? Nope! There are some great things about Holland America cruises for adult travelers of all ages, especially if you are looking for a little more luxury on a budget.
Here are 5 Reasons to Love the State Rooms on Holland America.
Holland America Cruises – # 1 Beds
The most important thing about your stateroom is really the bed. When it is time to head off to dream land is the time when this wanderluster usually misses home the most.
Exhausted from exploring all day, all I really want is my comfy bed back home, cuddled up next to my Daisy doodle. Who wouldn’t miss that sweet face?! ❤️
The beds on cruise ships really are more like cots, but I have to say the Mariner’s Dream beds on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam were the comfiest I’ve slept on during any cruise.
I usually have two twin beds in my room because I’m traveling with my cruising bestie, Kate. However, you can easily have the room steward convert them into one full size bed.
Ask your room steward to bring you some extra pillows. Holland America’s convenient Navigator App allows you to make service requests right from your phone!
I ordered an extra pillow one afternoon and it was there when I got back to my room. The bed also has a fluffy and soft duvet to snuggle up in.
Each bed also has their own tiny bedside table and drawer, so you can keep your book, glasses and medicine handy.
Need to wind down before you go to bed? There is a nice reading lamp on your headboard, so you don’t have to disturb your traveling companion too much.
Holland America Cruises – # 2 Bathroom
I stayed in a verandah stateroom which usually has a slightly bigger bathroom. Who wouldn’t appreciate that?
I seem to always bump my elbows in the shower the first morning of every cruise and either end up with a bruise, knocking the shampoo dispenser off the wall or both! I did that on my very first cruise. Oops! Don’t worry, I was able to put it back up.
However, my shower on the Nieuw Statendam was the biggest shower I’ve seen so far. It was laid out along the right wall instead of tucked in a corner like they usually are on cruise ships. I had plenty of room and no bruised elbows!
It also had a lovely massaging shower head, pumps with shampoo and body wash and a clothes line in case I need to dry my wet swimsuits or wash some delicates. (Personally, I found laying my wet swimsuit on my deck chair was the fastest way to dry it. Just be careful it’s not too windy, so it doesn’t blow away!)
The bathroom has plenty of shelves to store all your toiletries. Here’s a tip from your best friend. Get a hanging toiletry case. They are great for cruising! You can hang it on the bathroom hook and all your toiletries are at eye level when you are getting ready. Your travel buddy will be happy to have their pick of the extra shelves.
A hanging toiletry case is one of my favorite travel accessories! They save so much space and keep everything neat and organized.
Here’s a picture of the one I use below. If you’d like to read about my other essential travel gear check out my post on my three essential travel bags and packing light must haves to avoid baggage fees.
# 3 Towel Animals!
Most cruise lines will make you towel animals each night, but what made Holland America Cruises special with the tasty signature chocolates they used for the eyes.
During my cruise last year nightly turndown service was only available by request due to COVID-19 precautions.
Take advantage of this classy experience! They will also refresh your ice bucket, tidy up your room and make you your very own artful towel animal equipped with Holland America’s signature chocolates.
I had such fun looking forward to what animal I would have each night as well as my tasty treat. Aren’t we all really kids at heart?
# 4 Organization
My state room on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam was sleek and elegant looking. There were closets and drawers tucked neatly against the wall.
Every cruise line and ship seems to configure things a bit differently. I liked that Holland America Cruises had the closets and drawers right across from the bathroom. It was so easy to get dressed in the morning!
Other cruise lines often have the closet next to the bed. If your traveling companion likes to sleep in this is less than ideal. You’re feeling around in the dark trying to find your clothes.
Whenever I see my room for the first time I’m always a little shocked at how much smaller it is then I remember. If you are new to cruising you may have this experience as well.
Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam room was no different for me at first. However, don’t be fooled. They are so well designed that you will find room for everything.
There is so much hidden storage you can easily keep your room tidy and organized. If you’re a slob though you may struggle, but your best friend will help you out. 😄 I have a touch of OCD, so it’s not problem for me. Okay, maybe more than a touch…
Here’s a tip from your best friend. When I’m staying somewhere for a little longer I unpack everything and put it away on day one. My clothes have a chance to smooth out their wrinkles and I can easily see what I have to wear.
Then each night, I take the clothes I’m done with and pack them away in my packing cube or suitcase. It only takes a few minutes, but by the end of the trip I’m almost done packing.
No late night cram session trying to get everything back in my suitcase! I can relax and savor my last night of vacation.
# 5 Balcony/Verandah
Now that I’m classier (at least I think so 😂), I prefer to get a balcony stateroom. Holland America Cruises calls theirs a Veranda. You get a bit more room and your own quiet spot to relax and watch the waves go by.
It’s the perfect place to relax with your glass of wine or Pina Colada and read that juicy novel you’ve been meaning to get to.
There is also a nice couch where you can read, lounge or watch TV. Inside and Ocean view state rooms don’t have a sitting area or balcony.
I’ve stayed in inside and ocean view rooms in the past. If you are on a tight budget an inside stateroom is perfectly fine. The cabin is a lot smaller, but you don’t have to spend much time in your room with so many fun things to do on the ship. Go check out Holland America’s entertainment instead.
I always got a great night’s sleep in an inside room because my room was nice and dark. Just be sure to set an alarm in the morning as you can easily sleep the day away without the sun to wake you up!
An ocean view room can be a nice compromise if the veranda is too pricey. You can watch the sun rise and set and it definitely helps with your sleep cycle. I’m all about my circadian rhythms these days!
I highly recommend upgrading to a balcony/verandah room though. You won’t be disappointed! Your stateroom comes equipped with room darkening shades, so you will get a great nights sleep and have your own private space to relax away from the crowds.
If you’d like to learn more about Holland America’s, Nieuw Statendam click here. If you’d like to read more about my Nieuw Statendam experience check out my other posts on their amazing food and beverages. Happy cruising!
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Have you ever wondered what Aruba looks like? It was definitely not what I expected.
Aruba looks like Arizona was swallowed up and surrounded by the crystal clear, blue Caribbean ocean.
There are so many cacti on it’s rugged terrain. It’s a truly a unique landscape! Let’s explore.
Casibari Rock Formation
My first stop was the Casibari Rock Formation. It’s a steep hike, but pretty short. Once at the top you are treated with a 360 degree view of Aruba.
Aruba looks like it is mostly flat, but it has a few of these interesting rock formations scattered around the island.
Casibari Rock Formations have huge tonalite boulders. I drank in the desert landscape and listened to the local birds melodious songs.
This area is nestled in a residential area and you can also get a great view of local life such as my cover photo at the top.
Below are some photos from the area at the base of Casibari Rock.
California Lighthouse
Next stop was the California Lighthouse. It was named for the S.S California that wrecked nearby in 1891.
It is the tallest structure in Aruba and open every day from 9:00am to 7:00pm. You can climb the lighthouse for a $5 fee and no reservations are required.
It’s a gorgeous place to watch an Aruban sunset! Check out some of my photos below from the lighthouse. The clouds that day were absolutely spectacular!
There is a nice looking restaurant near the lighthouse, Faro Blanco. Although I didn’t have time to go, I will definitely try it out on my next visit.
They serve Italian food which is one of my very favorite cuisines. Faro Blanco received good online reviews and who could beat their stunning views! I’ve included the website below.
I traveled to Aruba on a Holland America Southern Caribbean cruise. My ship, the Nieuw Statendam had some mechanical trouble and my port day in Aruba was flip flopped with my Curacao port day in order for the ship to be serviced.
You can read my review of Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam’s food, drinks, state rooms and entertainment or learn more about Curacao by clicking the links.
I wish I had more time to explore this lovely island and see more of what Aruba looks like. I got into Aruba at about 5pm and only had two hours before the sun would set.
I had scheduled a tour with an independent cruise company, but it was cancelled due to the date being switched and since there would not be enough time to see everything on the tour before it got dark. How do you make the most of your time? Try a bus tour!
Bus Tour
All kinds of tours can be found through tourist information stalls at the port. If you don’t have your heart set on a particular activity this can be a great way to save money instead of booking a pricey cruise excursion.
My friend and I wandered around for a few minutes to see what might be available.
There was an independent tour guide advertising a bus tour for $30, but he only took cash. It’s always a good idea to carry some cash with you a lot of smaller places don’t take credit cards. We scrounged in our purses and found just enough cash to jump on the tour bus and pay the driver before he left.
The tour bus seemed full and even though the bus looked a little crazy we decided to go for it! At least this guy admits he’s a crazy driver. LOL
The driver turned out to be quite a character. He had crazy curly hair, a tie-dyed t-shirt and rolled his R’s in an exaggerated way every time he said Aruba.
The bus had no glass in the windows, but on the plus side you did get to feel the refreshing Aruban breeze. He also was rocking some eighties hits on the radio, so it kept things fun.
Sometimes you just have to go with the flow. As much as a try to plan and research every detail to make for a smooth and enjoyable trip some things are uncontrollable and you just have to make the best of things.
My friend and I had a great time on our whirlwind tour of the Island of Aruba.
On the way back to our ship we got to see all the classy Aruban resorts and these beautiful homes as we watched the sun disappear into the shimmering water. Arriba Aruba!
World Stage
A lot of people who have never cruised before think they will be bored on at sea days on a cruise ship.
Nothing could be further from the truth! There are so many activities to keep you occupied. You can be as busy or as relaxed as you want to be.
Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam has plenty to keep you busy and having a great time all week long. There are shows, informational talks, craft and cocktail classes, music, art shows and of course the pool and spa!
I’m a planner and I never want to miss out on any great experiences, so I read up on the Nieuw Statendam before I sailed on this cruise. I was new to Holland America and didn’t know what to expect.
Shows
Most of the cruises I’ve been on have had big budget Broadway style shows. I read that the Nieuw Statendam had a team of only six dancers. I thought the shows might be a little disappointing, but boy was I wrong!
The Nieuw Statendam did an amazing job with their small dance crew. On top of being very talented dancers they took full advantage of The Nieuw Statendam’s World Stage.
The World Stage is like nothing I’ve seen on other ships. It has a 180 degree curved screen that goes around the front part of the theater and surrounds the audience.
The dance troupe dances and sometimes interacts with the graphics on the screen. I thought it made for a very big experience despite such small group of people. There was also a wide selection of music to suit all ages.
The World Stage is also where they put on informational talks and the phenomenal BBC Earth in Concert.
I would definitely say that Holland America caters to those who are looking for a more cultured experience. The stunning cinematography of the BBC Earth presentation brought me to tears. Of course if you’ve read my About Me section you know I’m a lover of animals, so it’s not surprising I found the BBC Earth show so moving. It was wonderful to see on Holland America’s Imax style wraparound screen, World Stage.
Music
If you love music there is more than just the World Stage to enjoy. There are so many other venues for listening to all types of music.
There are the amazing dueling pianos in the Billboard OnBoard, soulful blues and live classical music in the B.B. King Blues Club and Classic Rock in the Rolling Stone Rock Room.
I also had a great time taking craft classes. This is something that is not mentioned on Holland America’s website.
I was perusing the daily activities and put together a craft morning the first at sea day. My friend and I had so much fun exercising our creative muscles that we made a habit of it on every at sea day.
Crafts
I went to an origami class and had a wonderful time folding a crab, a crane, a fish, and even a little frog that could jump.
There was also adult coloring hour. It was great to indulge my inner child, take out my colored pencils and create a masterpiece. It really is very relaxing.
I have a stressful job and it was wonderful to be coloring on a Tuesday morning. You can work on coloring the same artwork or try a different scene each day. I opted to continue to work on my tropical oasis each morning. Reminded me of the pink sand of Bermuda!
I also tried my hand at brush lettering. I had always enjoyed calligraphy as a child and it was fun to “brush” up on my old skill. Pardon my pun. 🙂 A blank card was provided to create my own work of art after I had sufficiently practiced.
Pool & Spa
Aside from crafting my other favorite activity was relaxing in the hot tub. One of the reasons I often eat a more casual dinner on cruises is to enjoy the empty hot tubs while everyone else is at dinner or a show. if you’d like to read more about Holland America’s casual dining options you can click here.
If I keep my hair dry I have often had dinner, hit the hot tub and then caught the late show. There is usually a 7pm and a 9pm show each night.
When I’ve travelled during Spring Break and the hot tubs are overflowing with twenty-somethings in what my friend calls “people soup”, a great tip is to sign up for a spa pass.
Some ships have their own private pool, hot tub, sauna and luxuriant hot stone loungers only for spa guests.
Holland America offered a discounted week pass prior to our cruise that I wish I would have taken advantage. Once onboard the ship even the day pass seemed a bit too pricey.
All and all I found many great ways to entertain myself on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam. If you like to read more about Holland America’s entertainment I’ve included the link below.
https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/onboard-activities/cruise-entertainment.html
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I’m classy, but I also like to be silly at times. This trip I took along my little friend T-Rex to help me with some photography and drink sampling. He had great fun on HAL’s Niew Statendam and I got a few laughs along the way too!
Non-alcoholic drinks
Make sure you stay hydrated on your cruise. You’re best friend wants you to feel your best. It easy to get dehydrated exploring those tropical destinations in the hot sun.
Whenever I was out and about on the ship I stopped by the Lido Market to grab some water or lemonade. They also offer complimentary ice tea, a wide selection of hot teas and coffee.
There is also water available in your state room for purchase or you can let the ice in your ice bucket melt overnight and voila! nice cold water ready for you in the morning.
Several places on the ship you can also purchase your favorite latte, cappuccino or americano.
Happy Hour
HAL offers an afternoon happy hour at the Billboard Onboard bar with 25% off drinks, between 3-4pm.
This is also the 150th anniversary of Holland America Lines, so on my cruise they were trying out an insanely great deal on cocktails with what I presume were 150 year old prices. Drinks were between $0.25 and $0.75. Yes, you read that right! Hard to pass up happy hour at those prices, not that it’s that hard anyway. LOL This was not something advertised anywhere. I found out about it accidently as I overheard a conversation at another table.
Just remember to tip the waitstaff a little extra. The automatic 18% service charge won’t add up to much on a 75 cent drink. We’re classy remember!
The cruise staff works incredibly long hours, for months on end and depend a lot on gratuities as cruise wages are low, so let’s remember the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to ensure you have a great vacation.
Cocktail Class
HAL offers a chance to shake up your own cocktails in the Billboard Onboard bar. Although due to the pandemic waitstaff on my cruise pre-made the cocktails for you, but I still enjoyed trying out different flavored mojitos and margaritas.
The bartender explains how to make these clever concoctions and even provides you with the recipes to take home and try your hand at them later. A fun way to spend an afternoon! T-rex seemed to approve. 🙂
Wine Tasting
A great way to be classy on a budget is to sign up for the Great Wines of the World wine tasting and try some upscale wines and hors d’oeuvres. The wine tasting is $40, but you can sample some $90 wines and Veuve Clicquot Champagne as well as indulge in shrimp, duck, unique cheeses and even a chocolate truffle. Tres fancy!
Don’t worry the sommelier will walk you through which hors d’oeuvres are enhanced by which wines. I found out about this lovely experience from my waiter at the pool bar on the first day of my cruise. He signed my friend and I up and then later we received a formal invitation delivered to our room. So classy!
This event was held in Club Orange, HAL’s private dining area for premium luxury passengers. Normally to enjoy Club Orange you would need to pay an additional $25 per person per day on cruises up to 13 days. I got to try it out, no extra charge!
Sail Away Cocktails
A great way to stay within your budget is to take advantage of HAL’s complimentary Sail Away Cocktails. I suggest being ready poolside just before you leave your last port, so you can snag one.
I opted for a fruity Bahama Mama. There were also huge glasses of beer, sangria and other cocktails. I suggest grabbing your drink and immediately heading for the elevators as it can get a bit chaotic. People go crazy for anything that’s free! Especially drinks!
High Tea
A lovely surprise offering was HAL’s High Tea on our first at sea day. I love a good high tea. It all started with my first trip to England where I tasted scones and clotted cream for the first time on the gorgeous grounds of Blenheim Palace. Nothing makes you feel classier than taking afternoon tea.
HAL offered what tasted to me like a scrumptious orange pekoe tea and brought around a three tiered tray of tea sandwiches, small pastries and scones. Hal also offered an afternoon tea on the other at sea days.
I hope you enjoyed T-Rex’s tour of the drinks available on HAL’s Niew Statemdam! Safe travels wherever you are going next!
I wanted to share some advice and stories from my latest trip, which was to the Southern Caribbean, a few weeks ago. I’ve been on many cruises, mostly with Norwegian Cruise Line and once with Royal Caribbean. This was my first voyage with the Holland America Line and I travelled on the Nieuw Statendam.
I started off with the intention of sharing my thoughts about Holland America Lines or HAL as veteran Holland America Line cruisers call it, but found I had too much to say, so I will be breaking things down by different aspects of my HAL experience over the coming weeks. Today I wanted to share my thoughts on what I was most excited about besides the ports, which was the food!
Overall the food was excellent on HAL’s Nieuw Statendam. Probably the best I’ve had on a cruise ship. I was pleasantly surprised. As a vegetarian sometimes my choices are limited. I appreciated that they offered meat alternative products like Morningstar Farms Veggie links on their breakfast menu in the dining room as well as Beyond burgers at their poolside burger joint, cleverly named, Dive-In. It’s nice to get some extra protein, so I don’t get hangry and annoy my travel companions. LOL
There were vegetarian options at all their different dining venues. Although I did not try their seafood or steakhouse specialty restaurants, I have no doubt they would have accommodated me without a problem.
One evening my friend got on a roll at the casino and missed the window for dinner. Later we happened to be near an elevator, near the main dining room when the Executive Chef came out and asked how our dinner had been. My friend relayed that she had missed dinner and he offered to go whip something up for her. He had his staff make her a delicious plate of fresh gnocchi because I had raved about having it earlier. Now that’s service and class!
Breakfast – Formal Dining
I started off each morning at sea in the dining room for breakfast. There usually isn’t time on port days since most excursions leave around 8 or 9 in the morning. I love the white table cloths, fancy chandeliers and artwork they have in the main dining room. It’s a much more classy, relaxed and quiet environment then the buffet, the Lido Market which don’t get me wrong has it’s appeal too. I recommend getting there just after 8am to avoid the rush that seems to come later. We never had to wait for a table, but when we came out there was usually a line of 7-10 people.
The coffee was smooth and delicious. They also had a wider range of juice options than I have seen on other cruises. I chose pineapple each morning to compliment my Caribbean vacation. The Texas French Toast was my favorite entrée, however they had a wide range of breakfast foods to satisfy all types of preferences. No doubt trying to cater to travelers around the world. There were traditional English, American, European and Asian breakfasts. This is the first time I’ve encountered Asian options on a breakfast menu, so I thought that was really unique. The service could be a little slow, possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but hard to say since this was my first cruise with HAL. However, if you let them know you had early morning plans the staff did there best to speed things up a bit.
Breakfast – Casual Dining
HAL’s buffet is called the Lido market. If you need a quicker meal this is the place to go. They usually have all the same options available as in the main dining room, so if you have a jam packed schedule don’t worry you won’t miss your chance to have your favorite meal.
I usually opted for a made to order omelet on port days with a mini chocolate croissant on the side. Every meal should end with dessert! You don’t know me yet, but you will quickly discover I have a big sweet tooth!
They had a wide array of options from baked goods, fruits, cereals, eggs and don’t worry you carnivores there were many options for you as well. 🙂
Something different I noticed with HAL is that The Lido had staff to serve you at the different food stations. There isn’t as much of the serve yourself as I have seen on other cruise lines at the buffet. I asked around to others I know who have traveled the line and this seemed different from their experience. No doubt this is a safety measure due to the pandemic as well. While it was different from what I expected I appreciated that it felt like a more classy experience then you usually find at a buffet. I also appreciated HAL’S commitment to health and safety and that there seemed to be a lot less food waste. I didn’t see people with plates piled sky high and then half eaten food being thrown away like at other buffets on other cruise lines. My waistline definitely appreciated the normal size portions! Of course you can always go back for seconds or thirds. No one will tell 😉
Don’t waste your time with the bagels at the New York Deli & Pizza for breakfast. As a frequent traveler to NY I was really excited about this dining option when I was preparing for my cruise, but they are definitely not NY bagels and most of the options in bagels and shmear were not even available, even on day one of my voyage. Head to the dining room or the Lido Market instead.
Lunch -Formal Dining
Again, I opted for lunch in the dining room for a more refined experience. The dining room is open for lunch on at sea days only, so I recommend adding this to your schedule on those days, so you don’t miss out. It’s lovely to watch the wake of the ship out the window while you are enjoying your lunch. See if you can snag a table near the back of the dining room, so you can see it.
The service at lunch seemed a bit quicker. There are two servers assigned per table. One for food and one for drinks I suppose. I highly recommend having a nice glass of wine with your lunch. You are on vacation after all! My favorite was the Chateau Smith Cabernet from Washington. Remember I’m classy, but on a budget! LOL Unless your a big drinker I don’t recommend getting the drinks package. If you have 2-3 drinks per day it’s cheaper to just buy them by the glass.
Another big difference I noticed with HAL is that they had many options with some spice to them. Normally cruise food is a bit bland for me as I’m sure they are preparing food to suite the widest range of palates, but HAL offered options with good flavors and a bit of a kick if you enjoy that. I had the curried cauliflower appetizer and it was a surprisingly tasty way to get in some veggies. You have to eat some on vacation. Your best friend doesn’t want you to have uncomfortable tummy issues on your trip. Enough said!
I also loved the tomato bisque and the quinoa salad. The salad is more of side salad portion, even though I believe it shows as on the entrée part of the menu. My waiter pointed this out to me in advance when I ordered, which I appreciated. My favorite entrée on the lunch menu was the vegetarian pasta dish. The lunch menu is a set menu, so you have the same options each day. Remember the dining room lunch is only available on at sea days, so you won’t get bored with menu. You can reorder your favorites or try different things each day. Each lunch also ends in dessert. I opted for a chocolate tart or the ice cream sundae.
Dinner – Casual Dining
I didn’t find any of the vegetarian options on the rotating dinner menu particularly appealing, so I opted for the more casual dining options for dinner most days. However, you could easily swap my suggestions and head to the dining room for dinner and the casual options for lunch, or skip the casual options all together and dine with class for every meal in the dining room. Keep in mind that some dishes are only served at certain times of day in the dining room.
I loved that HAL’s Navigator App allowed you to view all the rotating dining option menus each day including the Lido Market buffet, so you could plan your schedule with the tastiest options.
My favorite meal in HAL’s Lido Market was a gnocchi dish with mushrooms. I rushed from a late afternoon nap that went a bit too late to the Lido Market just before the dinner window ended, just to enjoy it and I’m so glad I did! It was so delicious! This was the dish I referred to and raved about to the Executive Chef at the beginning of my post.
I ate several times at the New York Deli & Pizza. I loved that they prepared individual pizzas for each guest, so they were fresh and tasty. I’ve been disappointed by most pizza on other cruise lines as it sits out at the buffet and just tastes old and not particularly great.
I’m a frequent visitor to New York and have travelled to Italy several times, so I will admit I’m a bit of a pizza snob. LOL These pizzas are decent. I would say they remind me more of the woodfired pizza’s I’ve had in Italy, although the toppings may be a bit more NY.
The staff will take your order and provide you with a buzzer which will vibrate and flash when you’re order is ready. You will have to provide your room number when ordering, but this dining option is complimentary.
I also tried the Dive-In for several early dinners because they close around 5pm I believe. As I mentioned earlier they have vegetarian options such as Beyond Burgers and a brown rice and veggie burger. They can be ordered with a variety of toppings which I thought was fun. The Dive-In also serves Nathan’s hot dogs. Although I did not try them, I was also surprised that Dive-In offered veggie hot dogs. Ah, too much food, too little time! The Dive-In also has great fries. They are crispy and crunchy on the outside and soft and steamy on the inside. No soggy fries here!
Desserts – Formal Dining
The desserts on HAL is what I was most disappointed with. They look beautiful and delicious, but most are sadly disappointing. That being said I did have a delicious chocolate tart in the main dining room and a tasty ice cream sundae.
HAL also has something called a Chocolate Surprise which is one evening towards the end of the cruise where you gather in a specific area and an endless array of wait staff comes out with trays of different desserts, all chocolate as the name implies.
They had chocolate macaroons, cupcakes, cocoa dusted almonds and my friends favorite which were the chocolate covered cheerios. If you love chocolate don’t miss this event!
Desserts – Casual Dining
My favorite dessert on HAL’s Nieuw Statendam was the Gelato. There is a gelato shop near the pool that offers a wide selection of gelato flavors such as biscotti, chocolate, cherry, dulche de leche and others. You can also get them with several different toppings, in a cup or waffle cone and they also make milkshakes.
The chocolate and the biscotti were my favorite afternoon treat. There is an extra charge of $2 plus 18% service fee, but I felt it was a well worth it.
I was also extremely excited that one day in the Lido Market they offered Dole Whip! If you are a Disney fan you will will recognize this sweet treat. It’s basically pineapple flavored soft serve ice cream. Delicious and refreshing! I’m not sure how often Dole Whip is served. My friend and I noticed another passenger with it one afternoon and quickly asked where they got it. We tried again the next day, but sadly only vanilla and chocolate soft serve were the options. Keep your eye out for it!
Snacks
You will never go hungry on a cruise ship. That’s why so many people gain 10 pounds in a week. At any given time there is always a wide variety of food options. HAL offers in between meal and late night menus in case you miss one of the breakfast, lunch or dinner windows. They also offer 24 hour room services with many delicious options. I also thought it was fun they had soft pretzels and popcorn by the pool for movie nights.
HAL also has a Dutch café with coffee and pastries. The coffee is extra, but they have several food options that are complimentary.
Specialty Restaurants
I had read another blog before I traveled on Nieuw Statendam that said the specialty restaurants weren’t worth the extra charge. I was willing to try them out, but in reviewing the menus I didn’t find any vegetarian dishes I was especially crazy about trying. I found so many wonderful food options that were complimentary I didn’t feel the need to pay extra for specialty dining.
If you are craving a nice juicy steak, fresh seafood, Asian cuisine or have a special celebration I have no doubt the specialty restaurants would be just, if not more delicious than the complimentary options.
I hope you enjoyed my review of the food on HAL’s Nieuw Statendam. If you take any of my recommendations let me know. I’d love to hear from you! Happy cruising!