Holland America Line’s ms Veendam Receives Perfect Scores of 100 on United States Public Health and Health Canada Inspections

SEATTLE, June 15, 2016 /3BL Media/ - Holland America Line’s ms Veendam earned its second consecutive perfect score of 100 on a recent routine United States Public Health inspection conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ship also earned a perfect score of 100 on an inspection conducted by Health Canada.
 
Veendam’s unannounced U.S.P.H. inspection was held May 21, 2016, during a turnaround call at Boston, Massachusetts, at the start of a seven-day Bermuda cruise. The ship also received a score of 100 on a Health Canada inspection held May 12 at Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the middle of a Canada/New England voyage. Prior to those inspections, Veendam received a perfect U.S.P.H. score in August 2015 during a call at Boston. 
 
“The continuing streak of perfect health inspection scores across the fleet shows Holland America Line’s focus and commitment to the highest standards,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Congratulations to the officers and staff aboard Veendam who worked hard and diligently to earn two perfect scores within two weeks.”
 
In March 2016, ms Eurodam earned its 10th consecutive score of 100, making it the first ship in company history to receive as many consecutive perfect scores. In 2015, seven Holland America Line ships received a total of 10 perfect scores: Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Ryndam, ms Statendam and Veendam.
 
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 harmonizes 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 14 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 and 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, delivered in April 2016, as well as a second Pinnacle Class ship, ms Nieuw Statendam, 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 Workshop 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.