Picture: John Heald's Blog

A surprise inspection by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on 19 August has failed Holland America Line’s ms Veendam, giving the ship a score of 77 out of 100 compared to the 93 it earned in April 2012.

Conducted twice a year, a score of 85 or below is considered a failing mark.

Veendam earned over 100 infractions on the report including; condiments being stored next to a cockroach trap, uncovered pastry items and fresh dough near an exposed deckhead panel and soiled glassware and crockery being returned to service.

A number of refrigerators, coffee machines and food storage equipment was also listed as being in need of repair.

This is the first time that the 16-year old ship has failed an inspection, with the line yet to submit a corrective report in response to the infractions, according to the CDC website at the time of publishing.