Holland America Line’s Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Masaharu Morimoto will join Westerdam’s “Majestic Japan” cruise and visit his hometown of Hiroshima, according to a press release.

Departing Sept. 1, 2024, the sailing will feature three Morimoto By Sea pop-up dinners at Pinnacle Grill, providing guests with intimate access to the Chef during their meals.

Morimoto By Sea, a dedicated venue on the Nieuw Amsterdam and a pop-up on the remaining 10 ships in the fleet, offers a multi-course dinner featuring Chef Morimoto’s signature dishes that highlight Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish Program. Additional guest experiences with Chef Morimoto are currently being planned, the company said.

“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 on board,” said Michael Stendebach, vice president of food and beverage division for Holland America Line. “Throughout the Majestic Japan cruise, our guests also will get to sample some incredible local fish that we feature on our menus as part of our Global Fresh Fish program. The dishes are a wonderful way to showcase the destinations for our guests.”

“I am excited to sail on board 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 Morimoto. “To be able to share my passion for fresh fish while visiting a place that means so much to me will be memorable for not only the ship’s guests but for me personally.”

Chef Morimoto will embark the Westerdam Sept. 24 at Osaka and sail to Kochi, Sakaiminato and Toyama before debarking at Kanazawa Sept. 30. The ship will visit the chef’s hometown of Hiroshima Sept. 26.