Join Celebrity Iron Chef for an Unforgettable Culinary Voyage

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When Holland America Line’s Westerdam embarks on its 53-day Legendary Voyage, titled “Majestic Japan,” in September 2024, it will feature a special guest during part of the journey: celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto. Chef Morimoto, who serves as the cruise line’s Fresh Fish Ambassador, will join the ship from September 24 to 30, 2024, when the vessel stops at his hometown, Hiroshima.

During his six days onboard, guests can enjoy unique activities, including a cooking demonstration and a Coffee Chat event to interact with the acclaimed chef.

Chef Morimoto (Photo Credit: Holland America Line)

Among these special activities are three opportunities to dine at Morimoto By Sea pop-up venues inside the ship’s Pinnacle Grill. This dining experience is a full restaurant on the line’s Nieuw Amsterdam and appears as a pop-up on other Holland America Line ships.

“I am excited to sail on a Holland America Line cruise that puts such a deep focus on my home country of Japan, its unique local ingredients, and visits my hometown,” said Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Fresh Fish Ambassador for Holland America Line.

For the 53-day “Majestic Japan” cruise, which operates roundtrip from Seattle, there are three distinct segments. Two of these segments include Chef Morimoto’s time onboard:

The full voyage: Departing Seattle on September 1, 2024, and concluding on October 24, 2024.
51-day option: Starting in Vancouver, British Columbia, on September 3, 2024, and ending on October 24, 2024.
34-day segment: Beginning in Yokohama (Tokyo) on September 21, 2024, and ending on October 24, 2024.
19-day segment: Departing Seattle on September 1, 2024, and arriving in Yokohama on September 21, 2024 — before Chef Morimoto joins the ship.

Holland America Line appointed Morimoto as its Fresh Fish Ambassador in September 2023, unveiling its Global Fresh Fish program. This initiative allows the cruise line’s ships to source fresh seafood from numerous global ports through a network of sustainable fisheries and harvesters. In April 2024, the program earned awards from the Marine Stewardship Council and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council for its sustainable and responsible seafood sourcing.

Chef Morimoto, famed for his appearances on “Iron Chef” and “Iron Chef America,” is renowned for integrating Western and Japanese ingredients. He owns restaurants in major cities worldwide, including New York, Philadelphia, Mumbai, Mexico City, and Tokyo.

“Having Chef Morimoto cruise with us is an experience that our guests will never forget. Learning from such a renowned expert and hearing about his background while visiting his homeland is a perfect way to bring more of Japan onboard,” said Michael Stendebach, vice president of the food and beverage division for Holland America Line.

During the Japan voyage, guests will have the opportunity to sample local seafood sourced at various Japanese ports as part of the fresh fish network.

Itinerary Features a Dozen-Plus Japanese Destinations

The 1,916-guest Westerdam, a Vista-class ship launched in 2003, is currently sailing Alaska cruises from Seattle through August 2024. Starting on September 1, 2024, her “Majestic Japan” voyage will include stops in Alaska ports like Sitka and Haines before crossing the Pacific to Japan.

Japanese port calls will include Kushiro City, Hakodate, Tokyo, Shimizu, Kobe-Osaka, Kochi City, Hiroshima City, Hakata-Fukuoka, Toyama City, Nagasaki, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato-Matsue, and Okinawa. The Westerdam will also visit Kauai and Oahu in Hawaii before returning to Seattle.

After the Japan voyage, Westerdam will reposition to Australia and New Zealand for a series of 14-day cruises through March 2025. In April 2025, the ship will return to Seattle for another summer series of Alaska itineraries.

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