Written by Chillie Falls, AccessAdventure.net, August 13, 2025
Note to my accessible community. For your information, I have never found an accessible galley tour and will not know if that portion of the experience is available on multiple ships.
Holland America Line has introduced Koningstafel — Dutch for “King’s Table” — a luxurious reimagining of the Chef’s Table dining experience. Blending behind-the-scenes galley access with an elegant six-course feast, the experience debuted aboard Oosterdam in July and will roll out to Westerdam, Zaandam, and Volendam this fall, with the rest of the fleet following in spring 2026.
Available exclusively on cruises 14 days or longer, Koningstafel begins with a private cocktail reception, followed by an executive chef-led galley tour, and concludes with a refined multi-course dinner featuring wine pairings. Highlights include butter-poached lobster tail, Asian Wagyu steak tartare, herb-roasted lamb loin, and an artisan dessert selection. A vegetarian menu is available upon request.
Priced at $149 per person plus gratuities, reservations can be made online before sailing or onboard. “Koningstafel is more than a meal — it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, artistry, and connection,” said Michael Stendebach, Holland America Line’s vice president of food, beverage, and rooms division.
The launch of Koningstafel is part of a broader culinary expansion, with upcoming offerings like the Rijsttafel Dinner, Tiki Dinner, and an Indian Pop-Up Menu on select itineraries.
If you would like to try Koningstafel, email chillie@bookalaska.net
A Royal Evening at Sea
The Koningstafel experience includes:
- A pre-dinner cocktail reception: guests are welcomed with signature cocktails in Ocean Bar, including “You Should See Me In A Crown,” made with Holland America Line’s own De Lijn Gin.
- An exclusive galley tour: the ship’s executive chef will lead guests into the heart of the galley for a special behind-the-scenes tour, offering a rare glimpse of Holland America’s culinary operations.
- A six-course dinner: guests are seated at a beautifully styled table in the Dining Room, where floral accents and elegant table details set the tone for an intimate and elevated experience. Each dish is introduced by the chef and paired with a curated wine selection. A vegetarian menu is available upon request.
The Menu: Dutch Elegance Meets Culinary Theater
Guests will enjoy a set menu that blends innovation with haute cuisine, including:
- Amuse-Bouche: Asian Wagyu Steak Tartare with soy-mirin marinated egg yolk, nashi pear and tempura shiso leaf.
- First Course: Butter Poached Lobster Tail with lemongrass coconut served with an aromatic “Smoked Champagne Cocktail.”
- Second Course: Spinach Ricotta Malfatti with truffle garlic butter, seasonal black truffle, and parmesan espuma.
- Intermezzo: Sour Cherry Granite pour with lemon sorbet.
- Main Course: Herb Roasted Lamb Loin with pistachio crust, date purée, Mediterranean vegetables and lamb jus poured tableside.
- Finale: Artisan cheese selection and Honey Crémieux with lemon curd, bergamot gel, honeycomb, and lavender honey.
Made Fresh Daily with Local Ingredients
Koningstafel is a natural extension of Holland America Line’s Made Fresh Daily philosophy, where chefs prepare meals from scratch using fresh, regional ingredients and are further enhanced by the line’s Global Fresh Fish Program, which brings sustainably sourced seafood aboard from more than 60 ports around the world.
More to Savour on the Horizon
Koningstafel is just the beginning of Holland America Line’s expanded dining experiences. Guests on cruises 14 days or longer can look forward to additional culinary highlights that will be rolled out in the coming months:
- Rijsttafel Dinner: A Dutch-Indonesian tasting experience debuting on Baltic sailings, offered in Tamarind for a supplemental fee. The menu features a variety of small plates and bold flavors, inspired by the cultural influences that have shaped Dutch-Indonesian cuisine.
- Tiki Dinner: A tropical-themed evening in Pinnacle Grill, launching on South Pacific crossings. Offered once per voyage on cruises 20 days and longer, the experience includes beverage pairings, souvenir tiki mugs and themed service touches.
- Indian Pop-Up Menu: Launching exclusively on Legendary Voyages, this rotating pop-up features regional Indian specialties such as Lamb Vindaloo, Paneer Butter Masala, and Rasgulla. In addition, new Indian menus are now offered fleetwide in the main Dining Room — including on shorter sailings — and can be arranged by guests upon embarkation.
For more information and to book a Koningstafel, please email chillie@bookalaska.net