The MS Koningsdam is the first ship on which the seedlings will be grown, using a glass greenhouse in the Culinary Arts Center on board, ands then added to the dishes by chefs in an open kitchen. This includes watercress, cress, and also cress with drop-cress, mustard and garlic flavours.

"Instead of garnish, the sprout vegetables by Koppert Cress are ingredients in their own right in our recipes," says Michael Smith, Senior Vice President for Guest Experiences and Product Development.

Rob Baan is enthusiastic about the collaboration. "It is a new adventure for us to grow our seedlings on a cruise ship and we are very excited about the collaboration with a well known company like Holland America Line."

The Koningsdam is the newest acquisition of the Holland America Line and is to be officially launched in May. The cruise ship has space for 2,650 passengers and will have Rotterdam as its homeport from 2017.