Zaandam: Sanitation Record & Health Report
ShipTea Verdict
The Zaandam is one of Holland America Line's older, more intimate ships — the kind that regulars swear by and newcomers discover with a pleasant mix of surprise and mild nostalgia. On the inspection front, a 92 out of 100 from the CDC is technically a passing grade, but let's be real: the fleet average hovers around 95, so this ship is doing fine without exactly overachieving. Think of it as the student who aces the essay portion but loses a few points on the multiple choice. Nothing catastrophic, nothing alarming — just a quiet reminder that "good enough" and "spotless" are not the same thing.
That said, the galley deserves genuine applause. A perfect 100 on food safety is not something you stumble into — someone back there is running a tight, clean kitchen, and the January 2026 inspection confirmed it. The Zaandam may not be pulling top marks overall, but your eggs Benedict are not going to betray you. For a ship of its age and size, maintaining a Spotless Galley rating is legitimately impressive, and it does a lot of heavy lifting for the overall picture.
Who it's for: HAL loyalists who prefer a quieter, less theme-park-ish experience, food-safety-conscious travelers who want the receipts to back up their trust, and anyone who considers a 92 a perfectly respectable score (because honestly, it is). Who should skip it: Thrill-seekers expecting a floating resort with a zip line and sixteen restaurants, or score absolutists who won't sail anything below fleet average — you'll find shinier options in the fleet, but you might also find longer lines and louder hallways.
Zaandam at a Glance
Zaandam is a Rotterdam-class ship in the Holland America fleet, built in 2000 and refurbished in 2025. It carries 1,432 passengers and measures 61,396 gross tons. Zaandam has 42 sailings on the schedule through January 2028, mostly from Vancouver (24) and San Diego (15), most often on 7-night voyages (trips run 4 to 70 nights). The next departure is October 4, 2026 from Vancouver.
Its most recent CDC inspection scored 92 out of 100 on January 11, 2026. A trend needs at least two inspections, so we will add one when the next result is published.
Rotterdam-Class Sister Ships
Zaandam has 1 sister ship in the Rotterdam class. Here is how its latest CDC score compares.
| Ship | Line | Latest CDC score | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volendam | Holland America | 95 | Jul 12, 2025 |
Score History
Outbreak Timeline
No outbreaks on record for the Zaandam.
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 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 | 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
Zaandam 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 nights, one-way from Vancouver to San Diego | Oct 4 | 11N |
| 4 nights, one-way from Vancouver to San Diego | Oct 4 | 4N |
| 7 nights, round-trip from San Diego, USA | Oct 8 | 7N |
| 35 nights, round-trip from San Diego, USA | Oct 15 | 35N |
| 18 nights, round-trip from San Diego, USA | Nov 19 | 18N |
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- You want a ship with a passing CDC score (92/100)
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Frequently Asked Questions
The latest CDC sanitation score for the Zaandam is 92/100 as of January 11, 2026.
No, the Zaandam has never failed a CDC inspection. All recorded scores have been 86 or above.
No, the Zaandam has no recorded gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on file with the CDC.
The Zaandam has a latest CDC sanitation score of 92/100. See the full inspection history and our ShipTea verdict for a complete assessment.
Based on CDC VSP inspection item-level data, the Zaandam 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 Zaandam was last inspected by the CDC on January 11, 2026.