The CDC Just Ranked More Than 100 Cruise Ships—These 10 Were the Dirtiest Ten cruise ships received scores of 89 or lower; a score of 85 or below is considered "not satisfactory."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data on the most and least sanitary cruise ships of 2024
David Sacks / Getty Images
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data on the most and least sanitary cruise ships of 2024.
- The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) randomly selected and inspected 114 ships and graded them on a 100-point scale.
- Ten cruise ships received scores of 89 or lower; a score of 85 or below is considered "not satisfactory."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just released new data on the most and least sanitary cruise ships of 2024—and the list is something travelers won't want to miss.
For its 2024 cruise ship sanitation scores, the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) randomly selected and inspected 114 ships and graded them on a 100-point scale. According to the VSP, these inspections and scores are used to help address and prevent cases of acute gastroenteritis on board.
Additional data from the VSP show that there have been 10 acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in 2024 so far, most attributable to norovirus.
Overall, 20 cruise ships—including those run by Carinval, Celebrity, and Norwegian—received perfect scores of 100. The large majority of ships received scores in the 90s, leaving 10 cruise ships to receive scores of 89 or lower.
The lowest-scoring cruise ship was the Hanseatic Inspiration, run by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, which received a score of 62. The VSP notes that any score of 85 of lower is considered "not satisfactory."
With new environments, close quarters, and high volumes of people, cruise travel puts passengers at an increased risk of illness, especially gastrointestinal illnesses. Here's what you need to know about the VSP, its inspections, and how to stay healthy while on a cruise.
Cruise Ships Considered Least Sanitary by the CDC
According to the 2024 inspections, 10 cruise ships out of 114 received the lowest sanitation scores. Those ships, in order from most to least sanitary, were:
- Crystal Serenity (Crystal Luxury Cruises); Inspected 02/03/2024; Score: 89
- Carnival Elation (Carnival Cruise Line); Inspected 03/14/2024; Score: 89
- Adventure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean Cruises); Inspected 01/23/2023; Score: 89
- National Geographic Sea Bird (Lindblad Expeditions); Inspected 07/25/2024; Score: 88
- Carnival Miracle (Carnival Cruise Line); Inspected 04/21/2024; Score: 88
- MSC Magnifica (MSC Cruises); Inspected 05/17/2024; Score: 86
- Evrima (Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection); Inspected 02/09/2024; Score: 86
- Carnival Breeze (Carnival Cruise Line); Inspected 03/21/2024; Score: 86
- Caribbean Princess (Princess Cruises); Inspected 03/20/2024; Score: 86
- Hanseatic Inspiration (Hapag-Lloyd Cruises); Inspected 09/29/2024; Score: 62
How Cruise Ships Are Scored
Cruise ships are scored on a 100-point scale for public health standards outlined in the VSP Operations Manual. The CDC does two surprise inspections a year for cruise ships with a foreign itinerary, a U.S. port, and more than 13 passengers.
Inspectors focus on the sanitation of eight areas of the cruise ship:
- Medical center
- Potable water systems
- Galleys and dining rooms
- Swimming pools and whirlpools
- Housekeeping
- Pest and insect management
- Child activity centers
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
Inspectors take away points if there is a pattern of similar violations or if there is a single, significant violation. For instance, the inspection report for the Hanseatic Inspiration noted a number of food items—like milk, crayfish, and raw eggs—were not being kept at a cool enough temperature.
If a sanitation score is docked to 85 or below, it is considered a failing score. Inspectors make recommendations for cruise ships to address each violation, and the ships must correct every issue. In extreme cases with imminent public health risks, the CDC may tell ships not to sail.
The CDC inspects these vessels to help prevent and control the spread of illness on cruise liners—an important task given the history of outbreaks on cruise ships.
The most recent incident in September 2024 was a Salmonella outbreak aboard the Radiance of the Seas, a cruise ship under Royal Caribbean International. Over 8% of passengers, or 180 people, and three crew members became ill with diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, and muscle aches during the voyage.
Also in September, norovirus cases broke outon the Arcadia, a P&O Cruises ship. According to the CDC, norovirus is a very contagious virus that can cause GI illness. It's a relatively common virus on these vessels, as close living quarters aboard cruise ships may increase the spread. In this case, 128 passengers and 19 crew members reported symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting associated with the virus.
How to Protect Yourself From Illness at Sea
Before you book a cruise, it may be helpful to use the CDC's inspection search tool to ensure your chosen cruise ship's sanitation score is 86 or higher.
The CDC also has several recommendations for passengers to prevent the spread of illness aboard cruise ships.
If you're feeling sick before your voyage, consult a healthcare provider to ensure it's still safe for you to sail, and ask your cruise line if there are alternative cruising options.
Wash your hands often aboard the ship, especially before eating and after using the toilet. This will help you avoid exposure to anything that may cause illnesses. The CDC also advises passengers to drink lots of water to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest to support your immune system.
If you see someone get sick, such as with vomiting or diarrhea, the CDC says to leave the area and report it to cruise staff.
This story originally appeared on: Health News - Author:Jenna Anderson
