Investor Relations

Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam Receives Perfect Score of 100 on First United States Public Health Inspection

Score makes Koningsdam the sixth ship in the fleet to earn 100 in 2016

 
Seattle, Wash., Jan. 5, 2016 — Holland America Line's ms Koningsdam earned a perfect score of 100 on its first routine United States Public Health inspection conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ship launched in April 2016 in Europe and made its maiden visit to the United States in November.

Koningsdam's first unannounced U.S.P.H. inspection was held Dec. 20, 2016, during a call at San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the middle of a 10-day Caribbean cruise. 

"A new class of ship means many firsts for our crew in managing operations on board, and we couldn't be more proud of everyone on Koningsdam who worked diligently to earn a perfect score for the ship's first public health inspection in the United States," said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. "We're doing very well on our U.S.P.H. inspections, and we're going to continue to focus on maintaining the highest standards across our fleet. Congratulations to the officers and staff of Koningsdam for this well-earned accomplishment."

In 2016 five additional Holland America Line ships previously received perfect scores, including ms Maasdam, ms Veendam, ms Noordam, ms Eurodam and ms Westerdam. Four ships earned scores of 99, including ms Nieuw Amsterdam on Dec. 22. Eurodam was the first ship in company history to receive 10 consecutive perfect USPH scores when it received its inspection last March.

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, consult a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

— # # # —

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog.  Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at hollandamerica.com.

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 onboard at an America's Test Kitchen show; 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.