Holland America Restores Farewell Dinner Fleetwide in 2026

Holland America Line will bring back its “Until We Sail Again” Farewell Dinner across its 11-ship fleet in 2026, restoring a final-night dining tradition on every sailing. The event will be held in the Main Dining Room and will include a dedicated menu, live music and shipboard leaders thanking guests before disembarkation.

The line did not publish ship-by-ship rollout dates.

Farewell dinner returns fleetwide

The Farewell Dinner will take place on the last evening of each voyage. Holland America said the captain, officers and crew will circulate through the dining room during the event, while the cruise director will look back on moments from the sailing.

Michael Stendebach, Holland America Line’s senior vice president of food, beverage and rooms division, spoke about the new event.

“As a brand built on more than 150 years of history and hospitality, we know some of the most meaningful moments of a cruise happen around the dinner table,” Stendebach said. “The ‘Farewell Dinner’ is designed to celebrate the journey guests have shared together while creating a memorable farewell before they return home.”

The menu will include dishes associated with traditional ocean travel and Holland America’s own dining history. Starters include French onion soup and coconut-crusted shrimp, while main courses include fillet of beef Wellington, port-braised lamb shank and truffled mushroom risotto. Desserts include baked Alaska and pistachio chocolate cheesecake.

The dinner will also include live classical music. Supporting programming named for the event includes “Gelang Sipaku Gelang,” an Indonesian farewell song used by Holland America to bring guests and crew together, along with “Home to Rotterdam,” a Holland America favorite.

Other recurring onboard traditions

The restored dinner joins several recurring Holland America events already used across sailings. The line’s Sailaway Celebration includes a champagne toast from the cruise director as the ship departs, while Royal Dutch Tea is held on the first sea day afternoon.

Holland America also continues to hold its Orange Party, a Dutch-heritage event tied to Koningsdag and the House of Orange. Guests are encouraged to wear orange, with themed decor, cocktails, live entertainment and related onboard activities.

The company traces its roots to Rotterdam in 1873, when it began as a transatlantic passenger and cargo operator.

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