Holland America Line’s Eurodam has broken the record by earning its 12th consecutive perfect score of 100 on the routine twice yearly health inspections conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This latest unannounced inspection was held Sept. 16, 2017, during a turnaround in Seattle at the start of a seven-day Alaska cruise. The perfect score follows soon after ms Zaandam’s June score of 100 on its USPH inspection.
Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line said:
“As the impressive streak continues and the commitment to earning that perfect 100 remains steadfast, the Eurodam team has proven their ability to maintain the highest standards with each inspection,”
“I’m proud to once again say congratulations to everyone, both shoreside and on board, who continues to put forth relentless hard work and dedication in this critically important area.”
Over the past three years, Holland America Line ships have achieved a perfect 100 more than 20 times. In addition to Eurodam and Zaandam this year, ms Koningsdam and ms Oosterdam received perfect scores in 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. The minimum passing score is 86.
More details on the Vessel Sanitation Program can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/
