Cruise lines put a lot of effort into the work of culinarily creative cruise chefs that continue to dazzle travelers year after year.  Celebrity chefs and talented ship chefs have a good idea of what will be popular. They also find out really fast if a new creation is a flop that leaves passengers unimpressed. Odds are travelers will not be turning their backs on the latest ingenious move by Holland America Line. The brilliant new program: A Chocolate Surprise Parade on the last gala evening of every sailing.Holland America Line is reinventing the traditional dessert buffet by introducing a Chocolate Surprise parade on the last gala evening of every cruise. Rather than guests having to make their way to the buffet and wait in line for a sweet treat, Chocolate Surprise brings bite-sized confections to guests in the main public areas as they enjoy the evening’s entertainment.

First, forget the chocolate buffet of yesteryear.  Put that completely out of your mind.
Holland America Line is reinventing that traditional dessert buffet by introducing a Chocolate Surprise parade on the last gala evening of every cruise. The idea: rather than guests having to make their way to a buffet on the lido deck then wait in line for a sweet treat, Chocolate Surprise brings bite-sized confections to guests in the main public areas as they enjoy the evening’s entertainment.

It Happens After Dinner
After dinner, waiters parade through the Promenade decks with trays of chocolate desserts, passing them out to guests in the bars and lounges as they take in music or enjoy a cocktail. Lasting about an hour, the parade is the newest addition to Holland America Line’s growing list of culinary innovations that put an unconventional twist on a traditional event

The Chocolate Surprise menu includes rich, creamy and chocolaty bite-sized desserts that will delight even the sweetest tooth. As servers with silver trays pass by, guests can choose from

• Chocolate cones with lemon curd
• Bittersweet chocolate and butter cream
• Double chocolate cupcakes
• Dark chocolate hazelnut pops
• Milk chocolate raspberry tarts
• Chocolate macaroons with Grand Marnier
• Chocolate-dipped marshmallows
• Caramel puffed rice treats with chocolate sauce.

Chocolate Surprise takes place on all ships fleetwide now and is in addition to even more tempting selections on the dessert menu in the restaurants.

“Guests love our culinary events, particularly those featuring chocolate, and we wanted to create something special that enhances their evening activities.”- Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line.

Photos: Holland America Line