Nieuw Amsterdam: Sanitation Record & Health Report
ShipTea Verdict
Nieuw Amsterdam has been quietly outclassing the fleet average without breaking a sweat. This 2010-built Signature-class ship — freshened up with a 2023 refurb — is currently sitting on a latest CDC score of 99, which isn't just "pretty good," it's a full 2.3 points above the fleet-wide average of 96.7 across the 162 ships we track, and it edges out even the median of 98. Pair that with a 100.0 Food Safety Score and a "Spotless Galley" grade, and you've got a ship where the buffet line is apparently held to operating-room standards.
The trend line tells a nice little story, too: the ship went from a 97 on January 7, 2026 to a 99 on July 10, 2026 — officially logged as "improving," and the numbers back that up. That said, let's not pretend this is a mountain of data — Nieuw Amsterdam has only been inspected twice in the window we track, so this is a small but genuinely strong sample rather than a decade of receipts. We also don't have reliable outbreak data to report on right now (CDC's outbreak records were unreachable at time of writing), so consider that column blank rather than clean.
Who it's for: Anyone sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Vancouver, or San Diego who wants a mid-sized, elegant ship (2,106 passengers is refreshingly un-mega for 2026) with a genuinely impressive hygiene report and a nearly 1:1 crew-to-passenger ratio that suggests actual service, not crowd control. If clean galleys and consistent inspection scores matter to your peace of mind at the buffet, this is a solid bet. Who should skip it: Inspection-history completists who want a decade of data points to pore over — with just two inspections on the books, you're trusting a short but sweet track record, not a long one. Everyone else can go ahead and book the Alaska or Caribbean itinerary with a clear conscience and, apparently, a spotless plate.
Nieuw Amsterdam at a Glance
Nieuw Amsterdam is a Signature-class ship in the Holland America fleet, built in 2010 and refurbished in 2023. It carries 2,106 passengers and measures 86,273 gross tons. Nieuw Amsterdam has 49 sailings on the schedule through June 2027, mostly from Fort Lauderdale (35) and Vancouver (10), most often on 21-night voyages (trips run 4 to 21 nights). The next departure is September 20, 2026 from Vancouver.
We have 2 CDC inspections on record for Nieuw Amsterdam. The most recent results ran 97 (Jan 2026), 99 (Jul 2026), up 2 points across that span.
Signature-Class Sister Ships
Nieuw Amsterdam has 1 sister ship in the Signature class. Here is how its latest CDC score compares.
| Ship | Line | Latest CDC score | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eurodam | Holland America | 99 | Jul 13, 2026 |
Score History
Outbreak Timeline
No outbreaks on record for the Nieuw Amsterdam.
Outbreak history for this ship is not currently available from the CDC.
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.
Spotless Galley
Food Safety Sub-Score based on 3 inspections 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 | 0 | 5 |
| #14 | Employee Appearance | Non-Critical | 0 | 2 |
| #15 | Food Sources & Receiving | Critical | 0 | 5 |
| #16 | Food Temperature & Time Control | Critical | 0 | 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 | -0 | 50 | ||
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 Holland America treats its crew — based on employee reviews, flag state quality, safety compliance, and editorial assessment. All ships in the Holland America fleet share this line-level rating.
Glassdoor Employee Rating
★★★★☆ 3.3Based on 645 employee reviews
Score Breakdown
Flag State Quality
Nieuw Amsterdam 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 nights, round-trip from Vancouver, Canada | Sep 20 | 7N |
| 21 nights, one-way from Vancouver to Fort Lauderdale | Sep 27 | 21N |
| 5 nights, one-way from Vancouver to San Diego | Sep 27 | 5N |
| 16 nights, one-way from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale | Oct 2 | 16N |
| 21 nights, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, USA | Oct 18 | 21N |
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Should You Book?
Good For You If...
- You want a ship with an excellent latest score (99/100)
- You like ships that are trending upward
Proceed With Caution If...
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Frequently Asked Questions
The latest CDC sanitation score for the Nieuw Amsterdam is 99/100 as of July 10, 2026.
No, the Nieuw Amsterdam has never failed a CDC inspection. All recorded scores have been 86 or above.
No, the Nieuw Amsterdam has no recorded gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on file with the CDC.
The Nieuw Amsterdam has a latest CDC sanitation score of 99/100. See the full inspection history and our ShipTea verdict for a complete assessment.
Based on CDC VSP inspection item-level data, the Nieuw Amsterdam has a food safety score of 100/100 ("Spotless Galley"). This sub-score focuses on 13 food-specific inspection items covering temperature control, cross-contamination, and sanitation.
The Nieuw Amsterdam was last inspected by the CDC on July 10, 2026.