Two Holland America Line ships Achieve Perfect Scores of 100 on Recent United States Public Health Inspections

SEATTLE, Jan. 14, 2015 /CNW/ -- Holland America Line's ms Noordam and ms Zuiderdam achieved perfect scores of 100 on recent routine United States Public Health inspections conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The unannounced inspection for ms Noordam was held Jan. 5, 2015, during a call at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., at the start of a 10-day Caribbean cruise. Zuiderdam was inspected Dec. 19, 2014, during a call at Fort Lauderdale at the start of a seven-night Caribbean cruise.

"Our shipboard and shoreside teams work hard to achieve a perfect score on CDC inspections, and to have two more ships get 100 is a testament to their hard work and dedication," said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. "Congratulations to both ships for this well-deserved achievement."

During a U.S.P.H. inspection Oct. 22 at Boston, Mass., ms Eurodam also earned a perfect score of 100, the seventh top mark in a row received by the vessel since 2011. In June and July 2014, ms Statendam and ms Westerdam also earned perfect scores of 100, respectively.

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. 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. The ships received perfect scores in all of those areas.

For more information about Holland America Line, contact a travel professional or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.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 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies.  One- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; four annual Grand Voyages; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. The line currently has a new 2,650-guest ship, ms Koningsdam, on order for delivery in February 2016 from Fincantieri shipyard.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $500 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

World's Leading Cruise Lines
Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA, P&O Cruises UK and P&O Cruises Australia. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.  Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.

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SOURCE Holland America Line