Holland America Line, which launched its 2024-2025 Caribbean season on Oct. 20, announced that the seven ships exploring the region have a host of new destination-centric culinary, beverage and shore excursion experiences. The cruise line also introduced its exclusive Rum Ambassador programming on all Caribbean sailings, developed in collaboration with beverage experts and historians David Wondrich and Jeff “Beachbum” Berry.
Guests can immerse themselves in the rich history and flavors of rum through tastings and seminars led by an onboard Rum Ambassador, making for a unique, interactive experience for the Caribbean season, the company says. A new menu of five Caribbean cocktails created by Wondrich feature the flavors of the region, while a pirate-inspired rum punch that debuted last season will make a return to the bars and lounges. The new drinks are:
- Green Swizzle: Choice of Planteray 3 Star rum or Fords gin, velvet falernum, lime juice, absinthe, soda and Angostura, swizzled.
- El Presidente: Planteray 3 Star rum, vermouth blanc, dashes of orange Curaçao, grenadine.
- Myrtle Bank Special Punch: Planteray 3 Star rum and Smith and Cross rum, pot-still Jamaican rums plus lime, sugar and a dash of Italian cherry brandy.
- Big Youth: Planteray Xaymaca rum and Smith and Cross rum, sweetened condensed milk, coconut water, bitters and nutmeg.
- 17th Century Caribbean Pirate Punch: Two kinds of rich, pot-stilled Jamaican rum, a dash of orange Curaçao, three kinds of citrus juice and sprinkling of fresh-grated nutmeg.
On each ship in the Caribbean, one of Holland America Line’s bartenders will train to become a Rum Ambassador. This role will involve leading rum tastings for guests.
Regionally themed menus in the Dining Room and Lido Market add to the culinary journey on every Caribbean cruise. Guests can enjoy a Caribbean themed brunch, indulge in local rum tastings and celebrate with the traditional, pirate-inspired rum punch.