An 85 is a solid “B” score on most exams, a grade many students would be thrilled to get. But for cruise ships getting inspected by the CDC? An 85 out of 100 is actually considered a failure. And there were several vessels that ended up in that category after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vessel Sanitation Program review this year.
- The CDC is revealing the cruise ships with the lowest scores during inspections in 2024.
- They reported 13 bacterial and viral outbreaks on ships this year, with most being norovirus, a highly contagious bug that spreads quickly through tainted food, water, surfaces or people.
- To minimize these outbreaks, the CDC does random and unannounced sanitary inspections on cruise ships.
- They include checking common areas, like pools and kids’ activity centers, as well as buffet handwashing stations, and looking for issues like vermin and improperly stored food.
- In 2024, the CDC performed 151 inspections, including repeat inspections on 23 ships.
- While the average score is 95.9, 27 ships received perfect scores, and two failed, but passed in later reviews.
This year, nine cruise ships didn’t reach the 90s score range:
- Hanseatic Inspiration — Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, scored 89 (inspected October 28th, previously received a 62 on September 29th)
- Carnival Elation — Carnival Cruise Line, scored 89 (inspected March 14th)
- Adventure of the Seas — Royal Caribbean International, scored 89 (inspected January 23rd)
- National Geographic Sea Bird — Lindblad Expeditions, scored 88 (inspected July 25th)
- Carnival Miracle — Carnival Cruise Line, scored 88 (inspected April 21st)
- MSC Magnifica — MSC Cruises, scored 86 (inspected May 17th)
- Evrima — Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, scored 86 (inspected February 9th)
- Carnival Breeze — Carnival Cruise Line, scored 86 (inspected March 21st)
- Caribbean Princess — Princess Cruises, scored 86 (inspected March 20th)
Source: Business Insider
Scott's Thoughts:
- And that’s why I’d rather not be trapped on a giant boat with a bunch of germy passengers!
- I am not sure I would take a cruise if it were free. I know 4 people who got sick on them in the last few years.
- I would rather get a cabin in Pigeon Forge any day of the week.