Holland America Line hosts high tea at sea featuring a new blend
Every year on May 21, tea lovers around the globe tilt their cups, pinkies in the air, to celebrate International Tea Day.
It's a United Nations-recognized day that shines a spotlight on the cultural, economic, and historical importance of one of the world's oldest and most beloved beverages.
It's also a chance to explore how tea continues to inspire innovation, whether through sustainability, wellness, or luxury experiences on land and now at sea.
While you might be more likely to associate a Tiki Margarita with a cruise than you would a cup of tea, cruise lines are always looking for new ways to add culturally rich guest experiences and that includes a traditional sea service.
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Holland America Line (CCL) , known for its deep maritime roots and elegant onboard offerings, has unveiled a new partnership that will elevate its signature tea service across its entire fleet.
The cruise line is introducing a bespoke tea blend created in collaboration with luxury tea purveyor Art of Tea.
This move taps into a growing trend in the cruise industry, where curated culinary and beverage experiences are becoming a way for cruise lines to distinguish themselves and draw travelers looking for more than a basic experience. Few traditions evoke elegance like afternoon tea.
With a handcrafted tea designed to offer both flavor and cultural depth the new custom blend, called The Dutch Tea Time Blend, will be available during the line's Royal Dutch Tea, regional tea events, and standard afternoon services, as well as in gift shops and online. For travelers seeking a refined escape, this latest offering is one more reason cruising continues to be a top choice for discerning vacationers looking for elevated, memorable experiences at sea.
Handcrafted with the finest botanicals, the new blend captures the warmth, authenticity and flavor of a classic Dutch tea experience, bringing together history, craftsmanship and indulgence.
Related: Oceania Cruises holiday voyages are a gift for luxury-minded travelers
When Holland America Line's Senior Manager of Beverage and Dining Operations and Innovation, Drew Foulk, and Art of Tea Founder and CEO Steve Schwartz set out to create this custom blend, they wanted to honor Holland America Line's roots.
To achieve this, they traveled to Amsterdam to answer the question: What is an authentic Dutch blend?
During their trip, the two experts tasted various local blends, visited the famous outdoor Albert Cuyp Market to explore Dutch flavors and florals, and spent time with Tess Posthumus, one of Holland America Line's global beverage program partners.
Posthumus provided a comprehensive history of Amsterdam's drinking culture, including the Netherlands' role in introducing coffee and tea to the world through the Dutch East Indies Company.
"Along the journey, one particular expression that really resonated with us is that there are two Dutch words used across the globe and are present in almost all languages in one shape or form--these words being coffee and tea," said Foulk. "Steve and I spent a lot of time uncovering the history and influence that Amsterdam has played in the spice trade and have thought about how this history can be translated into a tea blend for all our guests to enjoy."
The Dutch Blend will be featured during every afternoon tea service in the main dining room on board all Holland America Line ships, making it an experience too good to hurry through.
Royal Dutch Tea is served on the first sea day of each voyage. A regionally themed afternoon tea is offered on the second sea day.
For voyages lasting seven days or longer, a standard afternoon tea service is also available on the third sea day. Guests can also enjoy this bespoke blend at all coffee and specialty dining outlets while sailing.
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Additionally, it will be part of the cruise line's tea sampler pack, available for purchase in the ship gift shops, allowing guests to take home a taste of their voyage.
The final blend is a traditional robust black tea with notes of orange, bergamot, marigold, and rose hips. It will be available to guests fleetwide when they board their next voyage.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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