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The open sea calls, exotic ports tempt, and buffets overflow—perhaps cultivating a microbial zoo in your gut. As you step aboard, a question lingers like a questionable odor: How clean is this ship? Are those gleaming handrails just polished metal, or a slick of sunscreen and sneezes? Is that sea mist or someone’s ill-timed cough spraying your face?
The allure of cruising is undeniable, but so is the microscopic army plotting a mutiny against your immune system before you even set sail.
Not all cruise lines are equal when it comes to battling the microscopic stowaways that can turn a dream vacation into a gastrointestinal nightmare.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) knows this all too well. Whike they officially ended their COVID-19 precautions in July 2022, their inspectors have still been making unannounced visits to these floating resorts, clipboard in hand, eyes peeled for any breach in the bulwark against bacteria and viruses.
So far, 19 ships have risen to the occasion, earning perfect scores in the CDC’s rigorous Vessel Sanitation Program. These vessels are the shining beacons of cleanliness in an industry often shadowed by tales of norovirus outbreaks and less-than-sterile conditions.
Here’s the roster of the immaculate 19:
But while these ships are flying the flag of sanitation excellence, the sea isn’t entirely calm. The CDC has reported 10 bacterial and viral outbreaks on cruise ships this year, most of them courtesy of the notorious norovirus. That’s fewer than the 14 outbreaks logged in 2023, but numbers can be cold comfort if you’re the one confined to your cabin, acquainting yourself with the nearest restroom.
Half of these outbreaks have occurred on ships from Royal Caribbean Group’s main line and its Celebrity Cruises subsidiary. The Radiance of the Seas had the misfortune of hosting not one but two outbreaks this year—first norovirus, then a bout of salmonella. It’s a stark reminder that even with stringent measures, the microscopic world doesn’t easily yield.
Norovirus is the uninvited guest that just won’t leave. Highly contagious, it thrives in the close quarters of cruise ships, spreading through contaminated food, water, surfaces, and person-to-person contact. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain can sideline even the most enthusiastic traveler.
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program is the industry’s sentinel against such adversities. Inspectors arrive unannounced, scrutinizing every nook and cranny. Kitchens, pools, children’s play areas—all are under the microscope. They’re not just looking for the obvious culprits like vermin or improperly stored food. They delve into the minutiae: Is the hair and lint strainer in the pool being disinfected often enough? Is the dishwasher reaching the necessary temperatures to obliterate germs?
Out of 119 ships inspected this year, the majority scored above 95. That’s encouraging, but perfection is a high bar. Last year by this time, 29 ships had achieved a perfect score; by year’s end, 34 had. The drop to 19 this year might raise an eyebrow, but perhaps it’s a testament to more rigorous inspections rather than declining standards.
Despite the cruise industry’s strides toward higher sanitation standards, several ships have fallen short in the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program inspections for 2024. According to the CDC’s Green Sheet the most glaring case is Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Hanseatic Inspiration, which received a score of 62—the lowest among the inspected vessels. Other ships like the Kydon, Evrima, Caribbean Princess, and Carnival Breeze each scored 86, which is below the industry average but not terrible scores and could indicate notable deficiencies in the health plan, crew training or other factors besides germs and dirt. Conversly they could be inconsistent sanitation practices, lapses in cleaning procedures, or failures in adhering to proper hygiene standards among the crew. Check the CDC website for reports for individual ships before you make judgments.
So what are the ‘Nastiest’ ships of 2024?
Here are bullet points for the lowest-rated cruise ships based on the provided CDC inspection scores:
The cruise industry is navigating tricky waters. Balancing the luxury and freedom that passengers expect with the invisible battle against pathogens is no small feat. But the decrease in outbreaks suggests progress. Enhanced sanitation protocols, staff training, and perhaps a heightened awareness among passengers about hand hygiene are all playing a part but these measures cost money… money some lines seem more willing to invest than others.
So next time you consider setting sail, perhaps give a nod to those ships that have made the CDC’s honor roll.
Read next: Coast Guard on Port State Control: ‘We Can’t Inspect All of Them’
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