Koningsdam: Sanitation Record & Health Report
ShipTea Verdict
Holland America Line has spent decades carefully cultivating an image of refined, sophisticated cruising — classical music performances, culinary arts centers, guests who actually read books at sea. The Koningsdam, as the flagship of HAL's modern Pinnacle class, is supposed to be the crown jewel of that legacy. Which makes a CDC score of 89 and a food safety grade of "Needs Scrubbing" all the more awkward. It passes the federal threshold of 86, sure, but the fleet average hovers around 95, meaning the ship that's meant to represent Holland America's premium evolution is dragging significantly below what the industry considers routine. For a Pinnacle-class vessel, that's a little like showing up to your own fancy dinner party with a C-minus in hostessing.
The food safety score of 84 is the part that deserves some honest attention. That grade didn't earn "Needs Scrubbing" by being almost-fine — it got there by having real deficiencies during the July 2025 inspection, the kind that auditors document in federal reports. HAL's whole pitch is elevated dining, culinary lectures, tasting menus. When your food safety program is underperforming the industry by double digits, the cognitive dissonance is hard to ignore. The Koningsdam isn't a disaster, but it is a ship with a gap between its marketing and its maintenance, and that gap has a number attached to it.
Who it's for: Passengers who prioritize a refined, low-key atmosphere over spotless inspection records, or loyalists who've sailed HAL for years and aren't easily rattled by federal food safety paperwork. Who should skip it: Anyone with immune vulnerabilities, travelers who take "culinary excellence" claims literally, or passengers who would find it hard to enjoy a fine dining experience while knowing the kitchen scored below average on its last federal checkup. There are Pinnacle-class sailings worth considering — this one just needs to do some scrubbing first, literally and figuratively.
Score History
Outbreak Timeline
No outbreaks on record for the Koningsdam.
Total outbreaks on record: 0
Environmental Rating: B-
Making Effort
Score Breakdown
Friends of the Earth Report Card
USCG Environmental Compliance
✓ Clean environmental compliance record — no MARPOL deficiencies on file.
Needs Scrubbing
Food Safety Sub-Score based on 1 inspection with item-level data.
Food Inspection Breakdown
Item-level deductions from the most recent inspection with detailed data.
| Item | Category | Type | Deducted | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #11 | Employee Health & Illness Management | Critical | 0 | 5 |
| #12 | Employee Cleanliness & Handwashing | Critical | 0 | 5 |
| #13 | Food Safety Management & Knowledge | Critical | -3 | 5 |
| #14 | Employee Appearance | Non-Critical | 0 | 2 |
| #15 | Food Sources & Receiving | Critical | 0 | 5 |
| #16 | Food Temperature & Time Control | Critical | -5 | 5 |
| #17 | Food Protection & Prep Practices | Non-Critical | 0 | 2 |
| #18 | Cross-Contamination Prevention | Critical | 0 | 5 |
| #19 | Food Storage & Handling | Non-Critical | 0 | 2 |
| #20 | Food Display & Service | Non-Critical | 0 | 2 |
| #24 | Food-Contact Surface Cleaning | Critical | 0 | 5 |
| #25 | Wiping Cloths Cleanliness | Non-Critical | 0 | 2 |
| #26 | Equipment Sanitization | Critical | 0 | 5 |
| Total Food Deductions | -8 | 50 | ||
⚠ 8 points deducted from critical food safety items.
How Is This Calculated?
The Food Safety Sub-Score extracts deductions from 13 food-specific CDC VSP inspection items (items 11-20 and 24-26) covering employee hygiene, temperature control, cross-contamination, food storage, and equipment sanitation. The maximum possible food deduction is 50 points. Score = 100 × (1 - food deductions / 50).
Crew Treatment: Fair Passage
This score reflects how treats its crew — based on employee reviews, flag state quality, safety compliance, and editorial assessment. All ships in the fleet share this line-level rating.
Glassdoor Employee Rating
★★★★☆ 3.3Based on 645 employee reviews
Score Breakdown
Flag State Quality
Koningsdam is registered under a Paris MOU White List flag state — the highest safety and compliance tier. Flag State Score: 100/100
Upcoming Sailings
| Voyage | Departs | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage | May 2 | 7N |
| 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage | May 9 | 7N |
| 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage | May 16 | 7N |
| 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage | May 23 | 7N |
| 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage | May 30 | 7N |
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Should You Book?
Good For You If...
- You want a ship with an excellent latest score (100/100)
- A clean outbreak record matters to you
Proceed With Caution If...
- No CDC inspection data is available yet
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Frequently Asked Questions
The latest CDC sanitation score for the Koningsdam is 100/100 as of January 6, 2026.
No, the Koningsdam has never failed a CDC inspection. All recorded scores have been 86 or above.
No, the Koningsdam has no recorded gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on file with the CDC.
The Koningsdam has a latest CDC sanitation score of 100/100. See the full inspection history and our ShipTea verdict for a complete assessment.
Based on CDC VSP inspection item-level data, the Koningsdam has a food safety score of 84/100 ("Needs Scrubbing"). This sub-score focuses on 13 food-specific inspection items covering temperature control, cross-contamination, and sanitation.
The Koningsdam was last inspected by the CDC on January 6, 2026.