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.
Score History
Outbreak Timeline
No outbreaks on record for the Zaandam.
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.
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 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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 days, one-way from San Diego to Vancouver | May 2 | 4N |
| 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage | May 6 | 7N |
| 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage | May 13 | 7N |
| 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage | May 20 | 7N |
| 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage | May 27 | 7N |
Sailing on Zaandam?
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Should You Book?
Good For You If...
- You want a ship with a passing CDC score (92/100)
- 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 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.