Holland America Line brings an extraordinary culinary experience to its 2025 Grand Voyages by welcoming chef Ethan Stowell and chocolatier Jacques Torres on board.
These renowned culinary artists will join a segment of the Grand World Voyage and Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole, respectively, offering guests a series of exclusive events and interactive culinary sessions.
“Including Chefs Ethan Stowell and Jacques Torres on our Grand Voyages builds on our commitment to delivering unique and exclusive travel experiences on these longer cruises,” said Michael Smith, Holland America Line’s senior vice president for guest experience and product development. “These two extraordinary chefs will enable our guests to enjoy world-class culinary events that complement the breathtaking destinations and memorable moments of these itineraries."
Ethan Stowell, celebrated for his innovative approach to Pacific Northwest cuisine, will join the 124-day Grand World Voyage from April 19-25 aboard Zuiderdam. Stowell will participate in live cooking demonstrations, exclusive dinner experiences featuring destination-specific menus and attend a special pizza event as the ship sails out of Naples, Italy. Additionally, Stowell will host a “Coffee Chat” for guests where they will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn from a world-renowned chef on their culinary approach.
Jacques Torres, the acclaimed chocolatier and pastry chef, will join the 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole aboard Volendam, departing Jan. 25, 2025, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Torres will join the voyage from April 29 to May 4 to delight guests with his expertise in chocolate and pastry through live demonstrations and exclusive dessert tastings. Guests can look forward to interactive sessions where Torres will share his culinary journey and insights into the world of chocolate. During his time on board, he will also lead the Chocolate Surprise parade — a beloved late-evening procession of Torres’ chocolate confections that happens once a cruise on every ship. Additionally, Torres will host an exclusive dinner in Pinnacle Grill featuring his delectable desserts.
The 2025 Grand Voyages offer an unparalleled travel experience, with Zuiderdam visiting 49 ports in 30 countries across six continents and Volendam exploring 68 ports across five continents and 26 countries. Both voyages feature overnight calls and memorable moments, including scenic cruising in Antarctica, the Amazon River, the Great Barrier Reef and more.
Segments Offer a Taste of a Grand Voyage
Guests can still book the full Pole-to-Pole cruise or join segments on either Grand Voyage. The Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole aboard Volendam features seven segments, ranging from 33 to 100 days. On Zuiderdam’s Grand World Voyage, guests can choose from among six segments, ranging from 20 to 55 days. The segments allow guests to choose from a diverse selection of shorter itineraries, tailoring the Grand Voyage experience to their own taste and timeline.
- 20-Day Athens, Greece to Fort Lauderdale, April 19 — May 9, 2025: Guests looking to sail with Ethan Stowell can embark in Athens for a Mediterranean adventure, calling at ports in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Morocco — including a special overnight celebration in Barcelona, Spain — before heading across the Atlantic Ocean, visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a perfect day in paradise before disembarking at Fort Lauderdale.
- 44-Day Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale, April 24 – June 7, 2025: Guests eager for time aboard with Jacques Torres can embark in Barcelona and experience the dramatic landscapes of Spain through northern Europe, calling at ports in Portugal, France, Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland, Iceland, Greenland and Canada.
Grand Meetup in Barcelona
On April 24, 2025, Volendam and Zuiderdam will meet in Barcelona for a joint overnight call, bringing the two Grand Voyages together for a celebration. Special festivities involving both ships will mark the occasion of the perfectly planned dual visit. The Grand Meetup dinner will feature a show-stopping chocolate globe, an exquisite creation by Chef Torres, representing the world-spanning journey of the two ships.
A Grand Onboard Experience
On each Grand Voyage, Holland America Line ships provide gracious service, superior amenities and unexpected experiences. Guests can relax during leisurely days at sea, taking advantage of the extra time to participate in shipboard activities. Shipboard entertainment shines in the evening with local cultural performers and special guest headliners. Festive gala balls and dressy nights create memorable moments, along with a Captain’s Grand Voyage Dinner. Dining is elevated to a new level on each Grand Voyage with menus that change daily and are seldom repeated, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine.
About Ethan Stowell and Jacques Torres
Ethan Stowell is founder and chief executive officer of ESR. He was named one of the Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine magazine and one of the Best New Chef All-Stars. Stowell has an impressive roster of restaurants and eateries throughout the Pacific Northwest and in New York City.
Jacque Torres, also known as “Mr. Chocolate,” is a French-trained master chef and artisan chocolatier. After rising to executive pastry chef at New York’s legendary Le Cirque, he opened a chocolate factory and retail stores throughout New York. The James Beard Award winner is co-host and head judge on the Netflix culinary show “Nailed It” with Nicole Byer.
