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Holland America Line's ms Oosterdam Continues Company's Streak with a Perfect Score of 100 on United States Public Health Inspection

CUK, CCL | March 9, 2017

PR Newswire

SEATTLE, March 9, 2017

Score follows Eurodam's recent record-making 11th perfect 100

SEATTLE, March 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line's ms Oosterdam joins sister-ship ms Eurodam this year by earning a perfect score of 100 on a routine United States Public Health (USPH) inspection conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Oosterdam's unannounced USPH inspection was held March 3, 2017, during a turnaround at Tampa, Florida, at the start of a seven-day Caribbean cruise. The perfect score follows on the heels of sister ship ms Eurodam achieving its 11th perfect score in January, making cruise industry history with the most consecutive 100s.

"As a company we strive for the highest standards in all areas of operation across the fleet, and our recent public health inspections are a testament to how hard everyone is working to achieve these perfect scores," said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. "Congratulations to everyone onboard Oosterdam and all of our employees who worked endlessly to make it happen once again."

Along with Eurodam in 2017, six Holland America Line ships previously earned perfect scores in 2016, including Koningsdam, ms Maasdam, ms Veendam, ms Noordam and ms Westerdam. The year prior seven ships received 10 perfect scores: Eurodam, Noordam, Veendam, ms Zuiderdam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Ryndam and ms Statendam.

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.

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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 113-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 welcomed ms Koningsdam in 2016 and has a second Pinnacle Class ship, ms Nieuw Statendam, to be delivered in November 2018. A third Pinnacle Class ship, due for delivery in 2021, recently was announced.

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 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.