Celebrity chef collaborations bring a lot of clout and excitement to the cruise dining scene.
These partnerships are helping to turn many cruise ships into foodie destinations, offering passengers new ways to experience food at sea that elevates their voyages and delights their palates.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line passengers want more of one big food option
A kitchen master known for his unique ability to draw on the culinary traditions of his native Japan to create dishes that thrill the American palate, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto recently made a big splash with cruisers through a fun onboard event that resulted in a colossal culinary creation.
The world-renowned chef and Fresh Fish Ambassador for Holland America Line demonstrated his passion for fresh fish and fresh ingredients in a big way while cruising aboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam.
Chef Morimoto led a celebratory effort to create a massive sushi masterpiece to mark the roll out of his new specialty sushi bar on board the ship.
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Chef Morimoto’s Morimoto By Sea sushi bar is rolling out on more Holland America Line ships.
Image source: Holland America Line
Iron Chef Morimoto creates longest maki sushi roll at sea
More than 50 Holland America Line shipboard culinary team members helped Chef Morimoto create what is believed to be the longest maki sushi roll at sea. It was approximately 90 feet long and included Nori seaweed, more than 55 pounds of sushi rice, and 33 pounds of fresh Big Eye Tuna fish.
“As the Global Fresh Fish Ambassador for Holland America Line, I love to bring my passion for sushi to the high seas,” said Chef Morimoto. “Creating the longest sushi maki roll at sea for Holland America was a thrilling challenge, which allowed me to showcase our commitment to using the highest quality and freshest ingredients in a fun and memorable way for Holland America guests.”
Related: Holland America Line unveils new menu created by celebrity chef
Chef Morimoto sailed aboard Rotterdam to the Caribbean from March 28 to 31 to launch the new Morimoto By Sea sushi bar, a specialty sushi bar rolling out aboard Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Eurodam from March through June 2025, respectively.
Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam ship introduced the sushi bar with the Morimoto By Sea stand-alone restaurant in 2023. The new sushi bar is featured in addition to the existing Morimoto By Sea stand-alone restaurant on Nieuw Amsterdam and the pop-up experience offered at least once per cruise on the remainder of the ships in the fleet.
New Morimoto By Sea sushi bar offers intimate specialty dining experience
Adjacent to the Tamarind dining area, the Morimoto by Sea sushi bar offers a selection of Chef Morimoto’s signature sushi, sashimi, rolls, and smaller dishes.
An intimate dining venue, the Morimoto By Sea sushi bar will seat 12 guests, with additional table seating in the surrounding area on Rotterdam, Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam. Eurodam will feature a small counter for sushi preparation with seating in the surrounding area.
Related: Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line embrace popular new trend
The Morimoto by Sea sushi bar features an à la carte menu offered for a surcharge. Reservations for the venue can be made pre-cruise or once aboard the ship.
Morimoto By Sea is part of Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish program, which brings locally sourced fresh fish from port to plate in less than 48 hours. The program offers more than 80 varieties of fresh fish from across a worldwide network.
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