Month: January 2020

To continue diversifying its culinary offerings and bring the best land-based culinary experiences to sea, Holland America Line is adding James Beard Award-winner and acclaimed Seattle restaurateur Edouardo Jordan to its Culinary Council — a collection of varied, internationally renowned chefs who bring global influence to the cruise line’s dining experiences. 

Jordan’s “food with roots” approach will be showcased through signature, classic comfort dishes featured on the menus in the Dining Room and at Lido Market. The uniquely American fare will have Jordan’s own twist and style, with more flavorful options including JuneBaby’s macaroni and cheese with Newsom’s ham; collard greens and ham hocks; smothered fried chicken wings; Momma Jordan’s oxtails with mustard greens; chicken jambalaya; and an Alaska seafood gumbo.

“Edouardo will bring his southern swag and gourmet comfort-food experience to Holland America Line, and on top of being a fantastic chef, he’s genuinely a great person who will be a perfect addition to our Culinary Council,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “Comfort food dishes are nostalgic and create warm memories and an emotional connection to a meal, and Edouardo will bring our guests familiar favorites, but with flavors that are new and exciting.”

Jordan is the owner of three of Seattle’s hottest restaurants. Salare opened in 2015 and takes influences from France, Italy, the American South and the Caribbean. The restaurant was listed as a Best New Restaurant in America in 2016 by Eater National. In 2017, Jordan opened JuneBaby, focusing on his roots and Southern cuisine. JuneBaby received the prestigious 2018 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant and was listed as a Best New Restaurant in America by Food & Wine magazine the same year. In late 2018 he opened his third restaurant, Lucinda Grain Bar, which focuses on heirloom, ancient and local grains.

Florida-born Jordan graduated from the University of Florida with dual degrees in business administration and sports management. Following his passion for cooking, he then attended the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Orlando, Florida.

Early in his career Jordan’s ambition led him to work at many renowned restaurants including The French Laundry in Napa Valley, California, and Per Se and Lincoln Ristorante in New York. Following a move to Seattle, he worked at Sitka and Spruce before he opened Bar Sajor in 2013 as chef de cuisine. Using that experience, Jordan opened the doors to his first restaurant, Salare, two years later.

Jordan was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2016, was a James Beard Award finalist in 2017 and received the prestigious 2018 James Beard Award for Best Chef Northwest. He also was named one of Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chefs in 2016.

About Holland America Line’s Culinary Council
The Culinary Council is led by Holland America Line’s Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, who is joined by international chefs Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Kristen Kish, Andy Matsuda, Ethan Stowell, Jacques Torres, and now, Edouardo Jordan. Holland America Line also collaborates with wine critic James Suckling to develop its wine lists, and master mixologist Dale DeGroff on its cocktail program.

Sodamin oversees all aspects of onboard dining, in addition to Rudi’s Sel de Mer – a French seafood brasserie specialty restaurant, Boer brings the flavors of his internationally acclaimed Dutch restaurant, De Librije, to select sailings through Taste of De Librije evenings in Pinnacle Grill; Burke enhances the menu at Pinnacle Grill, adding contemporary flavors and new signature recipes, while Kish showcases French and Italian traditions in the dining room and at a new Pinnacle Gala on cruises of 10 days or longer; Matsuda leads the sushi offerings in Lido Market, Tamarind and Nami Sushi; Stowell incorporates the flavors of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest on ships sailing in that region, and his recipes are featured at New York Pizza and Lido Market on all ships. Torres guides chocolate desserts as well as the Chocolate Surprise Dessert Parade.

The vision of the Culinary Council is reflected in recent award for Best Dining at Sea in the Editor’s Picks Awards by Cruise Critic, the world's largest cruise reviews site and online cruise community

Source: www.hollandamerica.com

About Aeroflot

Aeroflot is Russia’s flagship carrier and a proud member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance. Aeroflot serves 149 destinations in 53 countries.

Aeroflot’s 247-strong fleet is the youngest of any airline worldwide that operates more than 100 aircraft. In 2018, Aeroflot carried 35.8 million passengers (55.7 million passengers as Aeroflot Group including subsidiaries).

Aeroflot holds 4-Star Airline status from Skytrax and was named Best Airline in Eastern Europe for the eighth time at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards. Aeroflot has also been awarded a five-star global airline rating by US aviation association APEX. Aeroflot is also rated five stars for the punctuality of its flights by OAG.

Aeroflot is the world’s strongest airline brand according to leading brand strategy consultancy Brand Finance.

Source: www.aeroflot.ru

Holland America Line’s Canada & New England season will be even more scenic in 2021 with the addition of three cruises that explore the dramatic landscape of Greenland. From April through October, guests can select from more than 13 unique Canada, New England and Greenland itineraries ranging from seven to 17 days — including a new roundtrip cruise from Boston, Massachusetts, that features Greenland, Newfoundland and New England.

To celebrate the opening of the 2021 Canada, New England & Greenland bookings, Holland America Line is featuring an exclusive suite offer that includes free drinks, a free dining package and free gratuities when reserved by Feb. 28, 2020.

“With spectacular scenery in any season, close-to-home access for many of our guests and a thriving culinary and cultural scene, Canada and New England remains one of our most requested destinations,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Adding Greenland to those itineraries makes them even more desirable because it’s so rarely visited on a cruise, and the natural beauty is a perfect complement to Canada and New England.”

Kicking off the season in April, Amsterdam, Zaandam and Rotterdam sail a diverse collection of 50 cruises that call at 23 exceptional ports on itineraries departing from Boston; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Montréal, Québec. In addition to Greenland, the cruises call at some of the region’s most iconic destinations, including Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, Maine’s spectacular Acadia National Park, Cape Breton’s incredible Bird Islands and Red Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador.

New and Notable in 2021:

• Three new 17-day Greenland, Newfoundland & New England Discovery cruises aboard Rotterdam in July and August sail roundtrip from Boston and explore remote destinations with breathtaking natural beauty. Ports include Paamiut, Qaqortoq and Nanortalik, Greenland; St. John’s, Red Bay, St. Anthony and Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Bar Harbor, Maine.
• Amsterdam and Zaandam will continue cruising between Montréal and Boston in both the summer and fall, which will add three additional Canada & New England Discovery cruises and one additional Atlantic Coast sailing.
• Rotterdam takes over the 10-day Newfoundland & New England Discovery itineraries that now sail all the way to Montréal and include a late-night departure or overnight at Québec City, Québec.
• All three ships will cruise the region in the fall so more guests can view the impressive display of jewel-toned foliage. Itineraries feature scenic cruising on the St. Lawrence River and Saguenay Fjord.
• Holland America Line’s perfectly sized ships enable cruising the scenic St. Lawrence River, with calls at Montréal and Québec City on nearly every itinerary.
• Leisurely journeys along the Atlantic Coast to and from Fort Lauderdale feature port calls at Charleston, South Carolina, and New York City on select itineraries.
   

Cultural Experiences Come Aboard
On board, Holland America Line’s multimedia EXC Talks bring Canada, New England and Greenland to life with captivating storytelling, expert commentary and stirring audio and video presentations. 

Explore Food, Wine and Culture on Culinary Tours
Exclusive shore excursions in partnership with Food & Wine magazine showcase the tastes of the region. On Canada, New England and Greenland cruises, guests can indulge in authentic poutine and maple syrup-infused treats or farm-to-fork cuisine in Québec City; sail on a classic lobster boat and then dine at a Downeast Maine lobster bake in Bar Harbor; explore Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley and attend a tasting at the Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards; or take a walking tour of Portland, Maine, and quaff a small-batch beer at Shipyard Brewing Company.

Source: www.hollandamerica.com

Source:  www.alitalia.com

Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury travel experience, is inviting guests to sip tea at sea with an enhancement on the cruise line’s beloved Afternoon Tea Service across the entire fleet. Steeped in the tradition of proper English tea service, yet as fresh and memorable as a newly brewed pot, the cruise line’s new daily tea service is the latest innovation designed to ensure that every detail of the Seabourn experience is constantly evolving and delighting guests near and far.

The key element of Seabourn’s new Afternoon Tea Service is the line’s addition of the finest luxury tea brand TWG Tea. Established in Singapore in 2008, TWG Tea (which stands for The Wellbeing Group) offers the largest collection of over 800 different single-estate, fine harvests, and exclusive tea blends from renowned tea estates in every tea-producing region around the globe.

“We are always looking at ways to take the amenities and services at the heart of the Seabourn cruise experience to the next level, and our new Afternoon Tea Service does just that,” said Gerald Mosslinger, Seabourn’s senior vice president of Hotel Operations and Onboard Revenue. “New guests will be delightfully surprised, while returning guests already familiar with our tea traditions will be impressed with the upgrades we’ve made to brighten their afternoons.”

In keeping with English tradition, Seabourn’s new Afternoon Tea Service is nestled conveniently between lunch and dinner, available from 4 – 5 p.m. daily in the Observation Bar. Loose-leaf tea selections from TWG Tea, the finest luxury tea brand whose collection is the largest in the world, include choices such as English Earl Grey, Imperial Lapsang Souchong, and Highlands BOP Ceylon. They are delivered to the table by the highly trained staff and properly served on handcrafted china from Bernardaud, the family-owned French porcelain company originally established in Limoges, France in 1863. Bernardaud remains in the elite of design and innovation and each piece that bears the company’s signature brings the grace of simple luxury to everyday life and demonstrates that, after two thousand years, porcelain continues to prove its worth as an exceptional material.

Afternoon Tea will also be accompanied by a set selection of sweet desserts and savory snacks that will change daily on a rotating cycle, including gluten-free and vegetarian options, presented upon a stylish three-tiered display tray at the guest’s table in the Observation Bar. A sand clock, started as soon as the tea hits the water, is left at the table to ensure that guests can steep their tea precisely the way they like it while the service staff explains the tea’s origins and how different steeping times can enhance the flavor.       

Afternoon Tea is a traditional British tea service served at 4 p.m. between lunch and dinner, focused on serving light fare that includes scones, finger sandwiches, jam and marmalade. With roots going back for generations, history says that Afternoon Tea dates back to the mid-1800s and the Duchess of Bedford. At the time, kerosene lamps in wealthier homes helped usher in a late dinner, often served around 8 or 9 p.m., leaving people of the era, including the Duchess, feeling a bit hungry between meals. She decided to regularly invite friends over for tea and a selection of snacks during the late afternoon.

The idea of Afternoon Tea eventually spread across society, growing into a social occasion that continues to draw people together for interesting conversation to this day.

Seabourn’s enhanced Afternoon Tea Service is now being offered across the Seabourn fleet, with the TWG brand implementation ongoing and set to be completed in the coming weeks.

Seabourn’s High Tea, a variation on Afternoon Tea, is offered on select afternoons with formal white glove service and live cooking features or themed menu options as accompaniments. Examples of High Tea themes may include The "Viennese" High Tea with Applestrudel, The "Parisian" High Tea with Crêpes Suzette, The "Venetian" High Tea with Zabaione, and The "Royal" High Tea with English Triffle, which will typically feature more substantial food items than the Afternoon Tea service. Live piano music also accompanies the High Tea experience.

Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel with intimate ships offering key elements that set the line apart: spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandas and all oceanfront; superb dining in a choice of venues; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times; award-winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home on board. The ships travel the globe to many of the world’s most desirable destinations including marquee cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and lesser-known ports and hideaways.

Regular guests of Seabourn will continue to find a number of innovative offerings and programs, including partnerships with a select group of companies and individuals whose dedication to superior quality, exceptional service and consistent customer satisfaction matches Seabourn.

Such programs include ‘An Evening with Tim Rice’, the new evening entertainment experience created exclusively for the line in association with Belinda King Creative Productions; ‘Shopping with the Chef’ excursions in select ports, with an expert Seabourn chef as guide to learn about regional markets and see how the freshest ingredients are selected; ‘Seabourn Conversations’ with special guest speaker including knowledgeable historians, naturalists, marine biologists, destination experts and more; Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, offering guests a holistic spa and wellness experience that integrates physical, social, environmental and spiritual well-being; and The Grill by Thomas Keller, reminiscent of the classic American restaurant from the 50’s and 60’s. Exclusive to Seabourn, The Grill is a unique culinary concept for Chef Keller, focusing on updated versions of iconic dishes. Guests will be treated to table-side preparations of Caesar salad and ice cream sundaes, as well as a range of other favorites like premium steaks, whole roasted chicken, and Lobster Thermidor, presented à la carte.