Zuiderdam: Sanitation Record & Health Report
ShipTea Verdict
Let's be honest: a CDC score of 99 on the Zuiderdam is the kind of result that makes other ships' inspection officers quietly close their laptops and stare at the ceiling. That score isn't just passing — it's practically bragging. As of May 2025, Holland America's Vista-class workhorse waltzed through her inspection with a near-perfect grade, leaving inspectors with very little to do except maybe compliment the buffet arrangement. The fleet average hovers around 95, which means the Zuiderdam isn't just keeping up — she's lapping the field.
And then there's the food safety situation, which clocked in at a perfect 100 with the coveted "Spotless Galley" designation. A perfect food safety score is genuinely rare — it means somewhere in that galley, someone is taking their thermometer readings very, very seriously, and we respect the dedication. For a ship that feeds thousands of passengers day after day, that kind of consistency doesn't happen by accident. It happens because someone is being absolutely unhinged about proper storage temperatures, and honestly, that's the energy we want around our buffet eggs.
Who it's for: Anyone who wants their biggest vacation worry to be whether to book the specialty restaurant, not whether the buffet is going to end their trip early. The Zuiderdam is a genuinely solid pick for hygiene-conscious travelers, older cruisers who appreciate Holland America's more relaxed pace, and anyone who just wants the receipts before they commit to a floating buffet for a week. Who should skip it: Thrill-seekers hunting for drama — the Zuiderdam is running a tight ship in the most literal sense, and if you were hoping for something salacious to report back to your group chat, you're going to have to manufacture it yourself.
Score History
Outbreak Timeline
No outbreaks on record for the Zuiderdam.
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
Zuiderdam 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, one-way from Boston to Quebec City | Sep 19 | 7N |
| 7 nights, one-way from Quebec City to Boston | Sep 26 | 7N |
| 7 nights, round-trip from Boston, USA | Oct 3 | 7N |
| 7 nights, one-way from Boston to Quebec City | Oct 10 | 7N |
| 14 nights, one-way from Quebec City to Miami | Oct 17 | 14N |
Sailing on Zuiderdam?
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Should You Book?
Good For You If...
- You want a ship with a passing CDC score (91/100)
- 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 Zuiderdam is 91/100 as of February 27, 2026.
No, the Zuiderdam has never failed a CDC inspection. All recorded scores have been 86 or above.
No, the Zuiderdam has no recorded gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on file with the CDC.
The Zuiderdam has a latest CDC sanitation score of 91/100. See the full inspection history and our ShipTea verdict for a complete assessment.
Based on CDC VSP inspection item-level data, the Zuiderdam 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 Zuiderdam was last inspected by the CDC on February 27, 2026.