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By Lesley McMillen|Published On: Apr 25, 2024|3 min read|
What better time to announce the new ways we’re celebrating our Dutch heritage aboard our ships than on King’s Day on April 27, a cherished holiday tradition in The Netherlands honoring the birthday of the reigning Dutch monarch. From concerts to street parties, the people of the Netherlands host big, orange-accented celebrations in honor of the royal House of Orange-Nassau. At Holland America Line, we take great joy in celebrating King’s Day each year, and you’ll discover that same spirit on board through our new and exciting Dutch Day delights. Here’s a sneak peek of the spirited fun you’ll experience at sea on our cruises that sail for seven days or more:
A Sweet Exclusive for Holland America Line Guests
Calling all Stroopwafel lovers! We’re thrilled to announce we’re partnering with Daelmans to bring you a sweet exclusive that will have your taste buds leaping with joy.
Before you lay your head down for sweet dreams after a day of enjoying Dutch Day activities, you can delight in a complimentary authentic Mini Stroopwafel. Trust us when we tell you that although it’s a cookie, it’s not like any other cookie. Every Daelmans Stroopwafel is made of a delicious caramel syrup filling, or “stroop” as we say in Dutch. This sweet filling sits between two thin layers of freshly baked dough. Bourbon Vanilla, Cinnamon and Stroop flavors can be paired with a cold drink, but you’ll relish enhanced flavors when you pair it with a warm beverage. Proost (that’s “Cheers” in Dutch) to this exciting new partnership!
Celebrate Our Dutch Heritage at the Orange Party
From wild orange wigs and giant hats to boas and bow ties, there’s plenty of fun fashion on display at Holland America Line’s iconic Orange Party. Combine that with live entertainment, co*cktails and dancing, and you have an incredibly festive event! If you’re new to cruising with Holland America Line, you won’t want to miss the orange bash cherished by guests and crew alike.
Everyone dons their best orange attire, grooves to incredible music and takes memorable photos showcasing their fun fashion choices with orange hues. If you forgot your orange accessories at home, don’t sweat it! Our onboard shops carry trendy accessories for purchase, from orange boas and hats to sunglasses and shimmering jewelry.
Delight in a Dutch Dinner
Enjoy an evening of Dutch flavors in the Dining Room, beginning with Green Pea Soup served with pumpernickel bread and bacon. You can also enjoy additional Dutch dishes, like the tastes of Hodge Podge Klapstuk with braised beef brisket, carrots, potatoes, onions and butter gravy. Then dive into Bosche bol, a chocolate cream puff that tastes ahhh-mazing!
The History of King’s Day
Recognized as a holiday on April 27 in the Netherlands, King’s Day honors the birthday of the reigning Dutch monarch. The original holiday began on August 31, 1885, as Prinsessedag, or Princess’s Day, in honor of the fifth birthday of Princess Wilhelmina. She was crowned as Queen in 1890 under the regency of her mother, Queen Emma, and the first Koninginnedag was celebrated in 1891 in the Netherlands. The date of the holiday then moved to recognize her daughter, Queen Juliana, when she assumed the throne in 1948. King’s Day took on its current name, Koningsdag, on April 27, 2014, after His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, ascended to the throne the previous year.
We take great joy in celebrating King’s Day each year, given our roots in the Netherlands and ties to its royal family. In fact, members of the Dutch Royal Family have launched 13 Holland America Line vessels — from Prince Hendrik naming Statendam III in 1929 to Princess Margriet christening Rotterdam in 2022.Most recently, Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha was joined by Princess Margriet for a 150th anniversary celebration at Hotel New York, home to Holland America Line’s original headquarters from 1901 to 1977.
“Proost” to all our friends near and far this King’s Day, including our mascot, Lewie the Lion, who always dons his best orange bow tie and parties from sunrise to sunset in celebration of this special Dutch holiday.
What excites you the most about Dutch Day on board? Share in the comments below.
Comments
Join the Discussion
54 Comments
Sharlene MerJune 1, 2024 at 12:59 am - Reply
I’m so thrilled that you have such a great explanation about the orange day celebration. I am a long time cruiser and have found my cruise line favorite, Holland America! I’m working on my 4th star and my sister on her third. We have been counting the days until this cruise to Alaska on the New Amsterdam now only 18 days! Have been planning our time since our trip to Alaska in 2023 and it was on New Amsterdam. Having been on others during your celebration we never saw when the party was and don’t want to miss it. Maybe they could put a flyer in the cruise newsletter the first night of the cruise so that all the ship will see it from the beginning and no one else misses it. In that way we could post it in our cabin to remind us all. Considering each ship makes it for what fits there schedule. Just a thought. Can’t wait for this trip!!! Thanks for this forum.
JulieJune 2, 2024 at 7:35 am - Reply
Hi Sherlene, it will be celebrated all day and put in the daily program so we’ll be sure you don’t miss it. Enjoy! And thank you for cruising with us so many times. We will see you soon!
Sharlene MerkleMay 31, 2024 at 8:13 pm - Reply
Have been on many Holland cruises and am working on my 4th star. Having a blast planning our cruise in June to Alaska on the New Amsterdam. We have been counting the days since our last cruise this past March. If they could it might be nice to have an announcement insert to the FIRST night cruise newsletter so that we can post it in our stateroom so that we don’t miss it? Never saw anything about it before but we may have as we are always so busy onboard and excursions we could have! Can’t wait……June..18 more days to wait…..yeah!!
JulieJune 2, 2024 at 7:34 am - Reply
Hi Sharlene, just to add, this is NEW so you haven’t missed it in the past. Enjoy the experience! You’ll get to try a lot of yummy Dutch treats.
Sharlene MerkleMay 31, 2024 at 8:04 pm - Reply
Ps. To my comment, I love Lewis and the idea of the special menu. If it being on the same night of the specialty dining can they add the special dessert to the specialty menus? Never had any other Dutch food except my favorite Split Pea Soup. Can’t wait!!!
Joyce KlimesMay 7, 2024 at 1:00 pm - Reply
Is this something we have to sign up for or is it for anyone?
Is there a charge?JulieMay 8, 2024 at 2:14 pm - Reply
Hi Joyce, Dutch Day is for all guests on board. No need to sign up, just enjoy!
Deb BaldwinMay 5, 2024 at 7:16 am - Reply
We are cruising on June 8th, (our 50th Anniversary) on the Volendam to Canada. Wondering if the Orange party is held on a cruising day?
Thanks,
DebJulieMay 7, 2024 at 11:21 am - Reply
Hi Deb, we don’t have a schedule of the Orange Parties, as it’s up to each ship and what fits into their scheduling. However, they are held in the evening after dinner, so you won’t miss it. Have fun!
SusanMay 2, 2024 at 10:49 am - Reply
What time approx. does the orange party start in the evening?
JulieMay 7, 2024 at 11:21 am - Reply
Hi Susan, it varies on each ship, as they make their own schedules. But it should be after dinner. Enjoy!
Linda BrettMay 1, 2024 at 9:38 am - Reply
Great article, sounds like a delicious amount of fun! We have never enjoyed any Orange Day activities but we will in July 2024 on Oosterdam!
Bill and Eula WeaverApril 28, 2024 at 5:50 pm - Reply
Count us in for the Orange Party…!
SandyApril 28, 2024 at 4:18 pm - Reply
Sounds like great fun, can’t wait!
Ernest Robert PlettApril 28, 2024 at 3:22 pm - Reply
Please count us in for this special occasion!
Phil & Rhea CrookApril 28, 2024 at 6:24 am - Reply
Proud of my Dutch Heritage 🇳🇱❣️. Love sailing with Holland America…. Working on our 4 star… almost there!!
Michael SullivanApril 27, 2024 at 10:53 pm - Reply
Currently on the Rotterdam and had a great time at the orange party. Didn’t receive any Stroopeafel
JulieApril 30, 2024 at 10:15 am - Reply
Hi Michael, Ww are working to implement the program fleetwide. We’re glad you enjoyed Dutch Day.
See AlsoHolland America FAQ
BarbzeeApril 27, 2024 at 8:28 pm - Reply
On Eurodam today . We dined on Dutch food but where’s our stroopwaffel??
JulieApril 30, 2024 at 10:15 am - Reply
We are working to implement the program fleetwide. We’re glad you enjoyed Dutch Day.
Tina Cline MullinsApril 27, 2024 at 7:52 pm - Reply
Sounds fun!
Margriet RuursApril 27, 2024 at 5:27 pm - Reply
A HAL cruise! How could it get any better? By adding stroopwafels and poffertjes! Amazing. Happy Birthday, King Willem Alexander!
Dorie Goudt HendriksApril 27, 2024 at 5:07 pm - Reply
We are comming 14 may to the Oosterdam and it is out 14e cruise. is it possible to get aLewie the Lion for me?
I like it very muchJulieApril 30, 2024 at 10:16 am - Reply
Hi Dorie, Lewie will be available for sale on your cruise.
DebbieApril 27, 2024 at 3:10 pm - Reply
Orange Party’s are so much fun! And now there is even more to love!
Robert FranceApril 27, 2024 at 2:39 pm - Reply
We enjoyed our cruise in April of 2023 for the 150th year of HAL cruising on the MS Rotterdam. Orange nite was a blow out. We also made a “In Memoriam” pause over the Titanic with all the officers and many crew mustered out in full regalia. Laid a wreath. Very moving and quite memorable.
William DumasApril 27, 2024 at 2:04 pm - Reply
Sounds amazing so sorry I couldn’t attend would love to go next year please let me know in advance best wishes to the King and Queen
Ken PhillipsApril 27, 2024 at 1:56 pm - Reply
My wife Gail Devries Phillips is half Dutch. We are going to Alaska on June 15 on the Eurodam.
JulieApril 30, 2024 at 10:16 am - Reply
We will see you soon, Ken and Gail!
Debra DonaldApril 27, 2024 at 1:52 pm - Reply
Wat gezellig! We are looking forward to this Dutch treat!
Clare StramaraApril 27, 2024 at 1:35 pm - Reply
Count me in on all the fun
Richard EdwardsApril 27, 2024 at 1:34 pm - Reply
Looking forward to Dutch Day in July!
Joe StewartApril 27, 2024 at 1:19 pm - Reply
Orange parties are fun but I can never enjoy the food due to gluten in everything, will there be an alternative treat? Just one please :).
JulieApril 30, 2024 at 10:21 am - Reply
Hi Joe, thank you for the comment. We do have gluten free food on board, but we will pass along your recommendation for Dutch Day treats that are gluten free.
Judy and Allan StahleApril 27, 2024 at 12:57 pm - Reply
Good to see you’re promoting this. We always get dressed up and get so many questions about this holiday/party. Lots of fun.
Attila and Jaccie SamuApril 27, 2024 at 12:51 pm - Reply
Seeing people of all places come together to celebrate “Kings Day” , wearing their orange attire and dancing the night away!
Maureen DwyerApril 27, 2024 at 12:45 pm - Reply
My good friend is from The Netherlands – So I salute Holland America for
informing me of King’s Day and it’s tradition!!
PS I LOVE YOUR CRUISE LINE!
Hoping to take a trip soon!Hunter EubanksApril 27, 2024 at 12:32 pm - Reply
We will be on a cruise from July 10 – 20, Iceland to Amstersdam. Will Dutch Day with a Dutch dinner be celebrated on our cruise?
JulieApril 30, 2024 at 10:17 am - Reply
Hi Hunter. Yes, Dutch Day will be on your cruise. Enjoy!
Dana HidalgoApril 27, 2024 at 12:26 pm - Reply
We’re booked on the Statendamn in October. Will this still be happening for our Greek cruise???
JulieApril 30, 2024 at 10:17 am - Reply
Hi Dana, yes, Dutch Day will be on your cruise! Enjoy!
Robert E HarperApril 27, 2024 at 11:45 am - Reply
I am sailing with Holland America to Alaska on June 1, this is my very first cruise. I’ve heard so many great comments from friends who have sailed on Holland America, and I’m so looking forward to celebrating my 80th birthday on the cruise, with a number of close friends. So excited!
JulieApril 30, 2024 at 10:20 am - Reply
Hi Robert, we look forward to celebrating your big birthday with you! We will see you soon.
Linda & JohnApril 27, 2024 at 11:26 am - Reply
Looking forward to the expanded Orange Day celebrations and trying the Poffertjes, which we recently enjoyed in Holland.
Virginia HastingsApril 27, 2024 at 11:16 am - Reply
How fun seeing orange all over the ship during evening festivities. Even during the day in casual attire. Honestly, where else does one have an opportunity donning bright orange clothing and not having the feeling of others thinking “what were they thinking “.
The party is lively with guests having a great time.Kristol E WaLkerApril 27, 2024 at 11:10 am - Reply
Sounds like fun! Can’t wait to join in the festivities!
Peggy KrzmarzickApril 27, 2024 at 10:50 am - Reply
We look forward to celebrating Dutch heritage, feasting on co*cktails, food and entertainment. Our neighbor is Dutch and says “you’ll love it, have fun in September “
Theodore SteckelApril 27, 2024 at 10:36 am - Reply
Count us in!
Sandy TrossApril 27, 2024 at 10:32 am - Reply
Is this done on every Holland America cruise that leaves from Amsterdam?
JulieApril 30, 2024 at 10:18 am - Reply
Hi Sandy, it is done on ALL cruises, no matter the sailing region. Fun for everyone!
RussellApril 27, 2024 at 7:55 am - Reply
Will be onboard Rotterdam in one week.
Can’t wait to Celebrate Kings Day at sea.
Hope the Chefs on board make some traditional “Tompouce” for us to try.
PROST!HammerApril 27, 2024 at 3:42 am - Reply
Gaan jullie ook dodenherdenking en bevrijdingsdag vieren
Ingrid MollApril 27, 2024 at 1:21 am - Reply
What a beautiful (and delicious!) way to commemorate the Dutch origins of the HAL!!
Really appreciate this gesture!Fred BeltApril 27, 2024 at 12:26 am - Reply
Volgens mij besteeg onze koning de troon in 2013 en niet vorig jaar!!!!
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