Holland America spotlights seafood on new menus

Holland America Line yesterday introduced updated menus on its premium cruise ships for 2008, and numerous seafood dishes are being offered.

The menus were changed to better reflect the cuisines of the ships' destinations. The ships sailing to Mexico and the Caribbean, the first new menus to debut, feature fresh fish.

The new seafood dishes include coconut scallops, chili-rubbed tuna brochette and mahimahi with roasted corn salsa and plantains.

''Part of the fun of travel is experiencing new cultures,'' said Richard Meadows, executive VP of marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America, in a press release. ''By incorporating regional dishes, [Master Chef Rudi Sodamin] has brought the excitement of visiting new destinations to the dining room.''

Holland America, a division of Carnival Corp., the worldâ??s largest cruise line operator, has a fleet of 13 ships offering nearly 500 cruises to 314 ports in 97 countries and territories.