Holland America Line's ms Zuiderdam Earns the Company's 10th Perfect Score in 2015 on United States Public Health Inspection

SEATTLE, Dec. 3, 2015 /CNW/ -- On Nov. 30 Holland America Line's ms Zuiderdam became the seventh ship in the fleet in 2015 to earn a perfect score of 100 on a routine United States Public Health inspection conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Zuiderdam's unannounced U.S.P.H. inspection was held during a turnaround call at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the start of a 12-day Panama Canal and Caribbean cruise. Prior to that inspection, ms Eurodam received a perfect score of 100 in October 2015 during a call at Fort Lauderdale, marking the ship's ninth consecutive perfect score.

"To have seven of our ships earn 10 perfect U.S.P.H. scores this year is an accomplishment we're extremely proud of, and congratulations go out to the Zuiderdam team for contributing to this achievement," said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. "Our standards are high and the shipboard teams keep on delivering super results, which is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved."

In 2015 ms Statendam received its third consecutive 100, ms Noordam achieved two perfect scores and ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Ryndam and ms Veendam also earned perfect scores. In total for 2015, seven Holland America Line ships have received a total of 10 perfect scores.

CDC inspections are part of the Vessel Sanitation Program, which was introduced in the early 1970s and is required for all passenger ships that call at a U.S. port. The inspections are unannounced and are carried out by officials from the United States Public Health Service twice a year for every cruise ship. Health Canada's Cruise Ship Inspection Program is harmonized with the United States' CDC Vessel Sanitation Program, and inspections are conducted once a year when cruise ships visit Canadian ports.

The score, on a scale from one to 100, is assigned on the basis of a checklist involving dozens of areas of assessment, encompassing hygiene and sanitation of food (from storage to preparation), overall galley cleanliness, water, shipboard personnel and the ship as a whole.

For more information about Holland America Line, contact a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

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About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:  CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers more than 500 cruises to more than 400 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies around the world. From shorter getaways to 115-day itineraries, the company's cruises visit all seven continents with highlights including Antarctica explorations, South America circumnavigations, exotic Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; four annual Grand Voyages; and popular sailings to the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Panama Canal. The line currently has a new 2,650-guest ship, ms Koningsdam, on order for delivery in April 2016, as well as a second Pinnacle Class ship due for delivery in November 2018.

The company recently announced $300 million in brand enhancements to secure its position as the leader in premium cruising. Fleetwide, the ships feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destination immersion and personalized travel. Guests can expand their knowledge on board at the Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine magazine; Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times; and Digital Workshops, powered by Windows. Outstanding entertainment fills each evening at venues including Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard and B.B. King's Blues Club. The dining experience can be savored at a variety of restaurants with menus that feature selections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council that comprises world-famous chefs who design dishes exclusively for our guests.

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SOURCE Holland America Line