Holland America Line is known for bringing destination-inspired flavors on board, and that culinary focus extends to holiday celebrations as well. While winter holidays often feature cozy spices and festive sweets, spring sailings bring their own seasonal traditions.
For Passover and Easter, guests can expect meaningful observances, special menus, and festive moments across the fleet.
Passover Celebrations On Board
A Guest-Led Seder Across the Fleet
Passover begins at sundown on April 1, 2026, and each Holland America Line ship will offer a guest-led Seder. On Volendam, a rabbi sailing on the Grand World Voyage will conduct the ritual.
A traditional Seder plate will be displayed with symbolic foods including a roasted egg, roasted shank bone, parsley, horseradish, romaine lettuce, and charoset.
A Traditional Passover Menu
The multi-course Seder dinner will feature classic Passover dishes that honor the holiday’s culinary traditions. Guests can enjoy gefilte fish with beet-horseradish sauce, chicken matzah ball soup, and tomato and cucumber salad.
The main course will include empire chicken served with carrot, sweet potato and prune tzimmes, asparagus, lemon, and potato kugel. Dessert offerings include fruit salad with cinnamon-sugar sauce and hazelnut macaroons.
Easter at Sea
Good Friday Favorites Across the Fleet
The Easter culinary celebration begins on Good Friday with freshly baked Hot Cross Buns served throughout the fleet. Guests will be able to find them at venues including the Grand Dutch Café, Lido Market, the Dining Room, and Pinnacle Grill.
Sunrise Services on Easter Sunday
On Easter Sunday, April 5, guests are invited to gather on deck at dawn for a Sunrise Interdenominational Service. A priest and minister will be sailing aboard each ship to lead the observance, creating a peaceful moment of reflection as the sun rises over the ocean.
Easter Brunch and Seasonal Treats
Easter morning brings a variety of seasonal favorites to dining venues across the ships. Guests can enjoy Easter Nest Bread and chocolate brioche, along with a festive brunch at Pinnacle Grill featuring caramelized banana pancakes, red velvet French toast, and spiced waffles.
A Traditional Easter Lunch and Dinner
At Lido Market for lunch, guests will find a traditional Easter spread that includes glazed ham, sweet potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and mac and cheese. Dessert options add a playful touch with Easter cupcakes, Easter cake in a jar, and themed sheet pan cakes.
Special Easter dinner menus in both Lido Market and the Dining Room round out the day’s celebrations.
Family-Friendly Easter Activities On Board
Festive Fun for All Ages
Beyond the dining venues, Easter weekend will also bring family-friendly activities to guests on board. A Family Bunny Scavenger Hunt invites cruisers to search for 12 hidden bunnies throughout the ship.
Younger guests can also take part in an Easter Egg Hunt and games in Kids Club, adding even more festive fun to the holiday weekend.
Spring Holidays at Sea with Holland America Line
From a traditional Seder to Easter sunrise services and holiday meals filled with familiar favorites, Holland America Line’s spring holiday celebrations combine meaningful traditions with memorable experiences at sea.
For guests sailing during Passover or Easter, it is a chance to enjoy comforting seasonal flavors and festive moments while celebrating far from home.
Happy cruising!
Ethan