We Try Holland America's Unbelievable Food: Onboard Koningsdam

Welcome to my latest KZbin video where I will take you on a culinary journey aboard the Holland America Koningsdam! In this video, I'll be sharing my ultimate food review, covering everything from fine dining to casual eats.
If you're someone who loves to travel by cruise ship and try new foods, then you won't want to miss this video. I'll be showcasing some of the best dining options available on the Holland America Koningsdam, including delicious dishes from specialty restaurants like Tamarind and Canaletto.
But don't worry, I won't just be focusing on high-end dining experiences. I'll also be checking out some of the more casual options like breakfast in the Lido Market.
Throughout the video, I'll be giving my honest opinions on each dish, sharing what I loved and what could have been improved. You'll get a real sense of what it's like to dine aboard the Holland America Koningsdam and the variety of culinary options available.
So, whether you're planning a trip aboard the Koningsdam or just love to experience new foods, be sure to check out my ultimate Holland America Koningsdam food review!
Main Dining Room: This is the ship's main restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a rotating menu of traditional favourites and modern cuisine.
Lido Market: The Lido Market is a casual dining venue offering a variety of food stations, including a salad bar, deli, pizza station, grill, and international cuisine.
Pinnacle Grill: The Pinnacle Grill is a specialty restaurant serving up premium steaks and seafood in an elegant setting.
Tamarind: Tamarind is another specialty restaurant, offering pan-Asian cuisine with a focus on Thai, Japanese, and Chinese dishes.
Canaletto: Canaletto is a casual Italian restaurant serving up classic dishes like pasta, pizza, and seafood.
Dive-In: This casual poolside venue serves up burgers, hot dogs, and other fast food favorites.
New York Deli and Pizza: This quick service restaurant serves up classic New York-style deli sandwiches and pizza.
Grand Dutch Cafe: The Grand Dutch Cafe is a relaxed spot to enjoy Dutch specialties like poffertjes (mini pancakes), bitterballen (deep-fried meatballs), and Dutch beer.
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[@EmmaCruises]

I'll take a rum and raisin but.... without the raisins, or the rum 🤣🤣

[@CruiseShowUK]

Surely Cookie-Dough would be more your cup of tea! Also do you think when I say “I’m not sure what I fancy” that would be a Britishism!? 🍪 😂

[@EmmaCruises]

@@CruiseShowUK YESS!! I think so. I don't think they have two meanings for fancy in other countries. :')

[@petejames1326]

@@CruiseShowUK hey mate great reviews, by the way did you travel alone? SOLO? what was it like? who did you sit next to in the main dining room? alone? or did you join a group? were there many SOLO travelers? im a solo traveler as all my friends are too poor to join me

[@jon-paulnellist9395]

Great video. I always love guessing the Cruise Show UK scores before you give them. Looks like a really good food cruise overall.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks so much Jon-Paul!!! Really glad you like the videos, it makes me want to get better! Yes, overall I really liked the food on Holland America Line.

[@jdb316]

I agree with your sentiments about Tamarind. My two meals there were the best of my cruise. I too was underwhelmed by Pinnacle Grill; the steak itself and the sauce were excellent but the rest was ordinary and not worth the cover charge.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for watching! Yes, Tamarind was the star restaurant of the cruise. Not to be missed!

[@Oakridger2024]

I agree that on HAL the MDR waiters should not ask for your dessert order before dinner! This is definitely NOT normal dinner service protocol in US restaurants. What I always do is politely tell my waiter that I will wait to order dessert until after I eat. They have always allowed that without any push back at all. I wonder who in HAL management decided that asking for dessert orders before dinner was a good idea? Thank you for your review!!!

[@CruiseShowUK]

I’m so glad you agree. I was starting to think I was a little odd in finding it very bizarre that I was being asked what my dessert selection was before I’d eaten anything. I presume this is done to make it easier on the staff. But it does cheapen the experience somewhat.

[@pipo5933]

I just got off Queen Elizabeth. Yes, the waiters in the dining room did ask me to order dessert together with other dishes. Maybe this is a new trend?

[@rebeccalyons1327]

I’ve noticed this across all the lines I’ve been on lately. If I want to want to decide I tell them.

[@wfodavid]

I think the same on Princess as well as HAL. They both have acknowledged our request to do desert after the meal.

[@norfolkboy6935]

A very mixed bag David! With so many sea days, having a raft of top notch eateries to experience and look forward to is a great way to end the day. Thanks for your honest findings as always 🙏

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for watching as always! David

[@Alistarc1969]

great video. will be onboard the Koningsdam in December for a cruise around the Caribbean...

[@CruiseShowUK]

That sounds amazing. Have a great time 👍👍

[@peeaah]

I doubt that .. shes on the pacific coast.

[@AlisaHof]

Very well-done video. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, I appreciate it. David

[@wendywebster-sv2li]

Great review as always , the last restaurant the food looked fabulous especially the starters .

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks Wendy! The food in Tamarind was exceptional!

[@annestephenson1548]

Great review as always David ! Like the addition of the QRcodes to scan .

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thank you Anne, much appreciated as always. David

[@patricksterling7389]

One can never be too overdressed.

[@CruiseShowUK]

That is very true! 👍

[@janelopez6004]

Another really interesting video I enjoyed watching 😊

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thank you Ms Lopez. I’m glad you enjoyed watching. And thank you for commenting on all my videos. It doesn’t go unnoticed ❤️

[@wfodavid]

We always try to engage our waiters/waitresses as well as our room host. We try to make it fun and learn about them rather than just take care of our room. We have found doing this makes our experiences so much more enjoyable. We also tip during the cruise as well as the included tips. We find service is incredible.

[@CruiseShowUK]

I agree and we do the same. Always engage and show an interest. It really does make the experience better. Thanks for watching. David

[@evelynlivingston6761]

You look very handsome in a tuxedo. Its one of the nice things that has been lost.

[@hazelrutherford1920]

Love your scoring system - Tamarind looked fabulous😋. What was the on board entertainment like? It's time for Emma to invite you on to one of her live streams🤞.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for commenting Hazel. The entertainment is unique on HAL. I really like West End / Broadway type shows and HAL is more about live music 🎶 - @emma cruises 😂

[@wayneunderhill2073]

The Tamarind is simply fabulous! The servers are knowledgeable and super attentive. The dishes are the highest quality. Eat and sample as much as you wish. No disappointment there.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Totally agree with you!! I loved Tamarind and wished we had eaten there on more than one occasion. It was a perfect end to the cruise. Thanks for watching. David

[@Juliehomevideo]

I think you kind of nailed HAL right on the nose with this one. We've been a few times and going again next year.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. Best wishes, David

[@Desjardins50]

On the Eurodam we had a similar experience. We found the Pinnacle Grill o.k. But with no atmosphere. Next night we went to Tamarind and we were blown away. We wen5 back two more nights. It was incredible.

[@CruiseShowUK]

@Desjardins50 Hi and thanks for watching. Omg that Tamarind restaurant was amazing! We were kicking ourselves that we left it so late to go there, otherwise we would have also gone back. Delicious!! Best wishes, David

[@cindyw4278]

Great review on the foods although I was sorry to hear the pinnacle grill was not what you expected. We are going on a British Isles cruise with Holland America in 2024 and looking forward to and hoping that some of the food you gave 5 to is on board.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for the comments Cindy! That British Isles cruise sounds good. I’m sure you’ll have a great time with HAL. One of the great things about HAL, is their destination talks/guides. They really dive deep into the places they visit, more so than any other cruise line I’ve sailed with. Have a great time and enjoy all the food!!! David

[@jdb316]

Formal night is not nearly as formal as it used to be, except perhaps on the highest-end cruise lines. I just got off an Alaska cruise on the Koningsdam and I was fine with a sport jacket, dress shirt, and khakis for "dressy" night. Many men didn't even bother with the sport jacket and maybe 25% wore ties.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed Alaska! David

[@charlesrichard8601]

We will be on Koningsdam December 21st for our second cruise Too Hawaii this year 😂 It's also our third cruise on Koningsdam 😅 we just love having breakfast & dinners almost every morning & evening in the MDR It's a wonderful spoil. Happy Cruising ⛴️ 🙏 ❤️

[@CruiseShowUK]

Wow! Hawaii twice in one year!! So lucky. It’s a great cruise and Koningsdam is a great choice. Not too big, not too small either. Have a great time and thanks for watching my video. David

[@maryellenbosche9901]

At caneletto it’s ideal to go with a few people to try more small plates. I think they would have been happy to give you the lasagna too.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thank you so much for the tip ✅

[@GiaBlinks]

Interestingly, I did a 7 day Mexican Riveria on Carnival last year, and those passengers went all in on formal night. I'm sure it's because the majority of them didn't have to travel to far to get to port, and it was a shorter itinerary. People don't pack as much as they used to when flying. I've been cruising since I was 10y/o and remember being able to bring as many suitcases as you wanted. I've been on 7 day cruises out of the east coast, and New Orleans, but they didn't dress as well as that west coast cruise. I'm currently planning for an 18 day on the Koningsdam, and my biggest thought process is how I will pack everything.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Hello and thanks for watching. I also appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Yes I think you’re right. If no flights are involved, I think people bring more with them, especially clothes. Having said that, flight or no flight, I always pack too much! Have a great time on Koningsdam, it’s a very nice ship. Best wishes, David PS. I must book a Mexican Riviera cruise, I’ve never been there before.

[@GiaBlinks]

@@CruiseShowUK I like the West coast of Mexico better. Mexico in general is a favorite destination of mine, but the Caribbean is geared toward people who just want to beach, shop, and party, whereas I like a more cultural experience. The West coast has a more rugged terrain, with cities and architecture to explore.

[@CruiseShowUK]

@abearz504 thanks! I’ll take a look. Is there a best time to visit? David

[@denniscostabile4264]

A culinary journey? i loved wathcing the British guy who's diet consists of overcooked beef and lamb. I might add that mushy potatoes are part of the whole "pub" culinary cusine in the UK. LOL!

[@CruiseShowUK]

Love the comment. Thanks for watching .

[@christophermayfield4630]

25 years ago a lot of guys were in tuxes on Holland. It was also a beautiful ship, and the food was the same. Some things were great and others were just okay.

[@CruiseShowUK]

@christophermayfield4630 Many thanks for watching! I appreciate you leaving a comment. Best wishes, David

[@Club-Thirty-Three]

Very nicely done. Thanks!

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thank you for watching!

[@williamhansen5498]

Really Really good review Really I enjoyed it

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks so much William! I really appreciate the comments. Best Wishes, David

[@anastasiarose8329]

I love the kongidam ship , on my last one 90% dressed to the 9s so maybe it was just that batch of people

[@CruiseShowUK]

That is interesting to know. Thanks for commenting 👍

[@caseyley100]

i looked for the menu link you mentioned but I didnt see it?

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for letting me know. I’ll take a look to see if I can fix it.

[@fionae6399]

What was your itinerary? We've done 2 Alaska cruises (Celebrity and Norwegian) and very very few people dressed for Formal Night. I think it's because everyone had to pack for child wet weather

[@CruiseShowUK]

@fionae6399 We did an 18 Night trip to Hawaii, which was fantastic. I’ve also done an Alaska trip with Celebrity. It was very much relaxed in terms of the dress codes. Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. David

[@drdawnprecious]

HAL Koningsdam had good food and wonderful Tamarind Restaurant

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for commenting.

[@dougj210]

I agree on them asking for your dessert order upfront. I don’t know if I will want dessert. The other thing that annoys me if my food comes before the wine I’ve ordered. I felt rushed. But other than that I really like Koningsdam

[@CruiseShowUK]

Hi and thanks for watching the video. I also liked the Koningsdam and would sail on her again. Best wishes, David

[@wayneunderhill2073]

Tell the wine steward to take the wine back until you are ready. After 8 cruises on the Koningsdam I was never asked to select a dessert prior to dining.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks again for watching Wayne! Sounds like you are a big fan of Koningsdam. I would sail on her again if the dates, price and itinerary was right.

[@littlefishinwater3375]

I'm hoping to catch my first cruise soon with a Holland Alaska ship, with my mom, and I just noticed the tea display in your video 😊 is there cinnamon powder available for flavouring? Otherwise I will bring my own. Thank you ❤

[@CruiseShowUK]

Hi and thanks for watching. No, I didn’t notice any cinnamon powder at the afternoon tea. I expect they would have it at the Grand Dutch Cafe onboard, but probably not in the restaurant. Have a great time in Alaska. Best wishes, David

[@littlefishinwater3375]

@@CruiseShowUK thank you, you are so kind ❤️❤️❤️

[@aimeerogers4542]

I love Holland America food!

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for watching Aimee! Always appreciated.

[@midgecallahan3692]

We did not care for the. Food in the buffet or main dining room…..breakfast is the best in buffet of course. We booked the specialty restaurants every night and were very happy!

[@CruiseShowUK]

I’ve got a cruise booked in January and I am doing speciality restaurants all the way. Can’t wait. Thanks for much for commenting

[@genefrance]

thanks, did you go back to pinnacle?

[@CruiseShowUK]

Hi Gene. Thanks for commenting. I didn’t go back, I just couldn’t bring myself to pay for another potential poor experience.

[@johnwm7039]

@@CruiseShowUK What was it about the atmosphere that was bad? We have pinnacle reservations, but on the Rotterdam. Hopefully it will be better than what you experienced.

[@jamesmakibbin5278]

We couldn't agree more about Pinnacle Grill. The service level we received was adequate for a dinner. We received better service in the MDR.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for the comment James, and thanks for watching the video. David

[@smb2a587]

Is Princess more formal than Holland America?

[@CruiseShowUK]

Hello! Yes Princess is more formal, especially if departing from the UK. That’s not to say, everyone wears tuxedos and dresses, but certainly people make the effort on Formal/Gala evenings.

[@carolgenty9761]

You seemed to like all the food at the pinnacle grill and yet you gave it a poor review. Seems kinda harsh…

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thank you for watching and commenting, I think my comments related more to the service and atmosphere which were some of the worst I’ve experienced on any ship. 🚢

[@auntydale]

Another cruise vlogger makes “omg” faces when he eats then says the food was “okay”.

[@jbw9999]

As of September 2023, there's no longer a fee for an extra appetizer or entree at PG.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Interesting! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. David

[@deekang6244]

I’ll agree, HAL bread isn’t great, but everything else I’ve had is nice or fabulous

[@CruiseShowUK]

@deekang6244 Thanks for watching the video. I agree with you on the whole. It’s the repetition on the menus the do it for me. David

[@cherylstiers1768]

Good Viedo ty but I know sometimes the words of places are not as they seem LIDO market is {Lee-dough} Market everyones others videos says that but good work you are very critical I like that.

[@CruiseShowUK]

@cherylstiers1768 Thanks for watching the video. I appreciate the comments! Maybe it’s a British thing!!?? I’ve always pronounced it as Lie-dough!! Best wishes and Happy Christmas, David

[@cherylstiers1768]

@@CruiseShowUK well I am Canadian so split between Mother UK and Brother USA

[@michaelb1985]

Wow. Food looked below average except for tamarind. Princess has gone downhill too. Crown grill used to be good but meat is not prime. I will have to try oceania.

[@CruiseShowUK]

I think a lot of cruise lines have lowered the standard somewhat. Usually in a speciality restaurant you are guaranteed a good meal. Thanks for watching and commenting- it is appreciated more than you know.

[@luciawoods5654]

Oceania is fabulous

[@terrymazur8085]

Hello my name is terryann The end of Aug anthe firt week of September In 2024 My mom an I will be comeing on the hollaland ship It will be our first time on a cruise ship To Alaska 😊😊

[@CruiseShowUK]

Oh wow! You will love it I’m sure! Thanks for watching my video. David

[@terrymazur8085]

@@CruiseShowUK hi David How much is the package for mix drinks an for soft drinks

[@peeaah]

For a snob your accent is wrong. I think your experience in the Pinnacle reflects your accent.. just saying

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for the feedback. 👍

[@charlesnichols4689]

If you really want to get naughty with the sticky bun load the four cut sides with a ton of cold butter

[@CruiseShowUK]

Wow! That’s very indulgent Charles! I like the sound of it though!!

[@petepost9879]

My wife and I sailed on the Koningsdam last year. All I have to say is the food was terrible. The dining room service was slow and the buffet had very little selection of food. I'll give their food rating a 2. 👎👎👎👎

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for commenting. Some cruise ship food has taken a downturn hasn’t it. Have you had any good food on any other ships?

[@thedad51]

I think you are FAR TOO critical

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@Ballistec]

Way...way....too critical. Everything looked amazing.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I can’t remember being overly critical. We had a great cruise to Hawaii.

[@markolwick2223]

You had one piece of bread that you didn’t like, so you immediately said “If you like bread, don’t cruise Holland America”. One piece of bread and you’ve condemned every restaurant on every Holland America ship, fleet-wide. And then you dress in tux and tails for dinner, which means you obviously didn’t do any research prior to the cruise. These broad generalizations, plus your lack of knowledge about cruise lines, earns a thumbs down and unsubscribe from me.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thank you for your feedback. 👍

[@monicadepoy5157]

It was a concern that as a frequent cruiser you were not aware of the current “dress code” of the industry as a whole. Gone are those days of ties & tails, and glitter gowns.

[@CruiseShowUK]

Thank you for feeding that concern back to me. 👍

[@monicadepoy5157]

Resending my first impression of your evaluations. Spot on with the foodie tour of HAL dining. Forgive me?

[@CruiseShowUK]

No problem at all. Thank you for watching and everyone is entitled to have an opinion. Also have another food video coming out later today which you might enjoy too.