Worst cruise ships of 2024 revealed based on viral outbreaks, food safety and hygiene: CDC

These ships sail for a rejection – from customers who value their health and well-being.

In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Ship Sanitation Program review, a score of 85 out of 100 is considered a failure, according to Business Insider.

The CDC conducts unannounced random sanitation inspections on cruise ships, rating the ship on a scale of zero to 100. The review examines common areas such as pools and activity centers, buffet handwashing stations, food storage and equipment. cooking.

In 2024, the agency reported 13 bacterial and viral outbreaks on cruise ships, most of which were of norovirus, also known as “winter vomiting,” a highly contagious virus that is the leading cause of foodborne illness, vomiting, and diarrhea in the U.S. .

Norovirus also tends to cause stomach cramps, nausea, low-grade fever or chills, headache, and muscle aches.

During the year, CDC conducted 151 inspections, including repeat inspections on 23 vessels.

Of over 100 ships inspected, the average score came in at around 95.9 – and 27 ships received a perfect 100. Two of the ships initially failed, but passed in later revisions.

However, nine of the ships did not break the 90 mark. These ships include:

1. Hanseatic inspiration: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, scored 89 (inspected on October 28, previously received a 62 on September 29)
2. Carnival joy: Carnival Cruise Line, 89 points (inspected March 14)
3. Adventure of the seas: Royal Caribbean International, scored 89 (inspected January 23)
4. National Geographic Seabird: Lindblad Expeditions, with 88 points (inspected July 25)
5. The miracle of carnivals: Carnival Cruise Line, 88 points (inspected April 21)
6. MSC Magnifica: MSC Cruises, 86 points (inspected May 17)
7. Evrim: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, 86 points (inspected February 9)
8. Carnival breeze: Carnival Cruise Line, 86 points (inspected March 21)
9. Princess of the Caribbean: Princess Cruises, scored 86 (inspected March 20)

A spokesperson for Hapag-Lloyd told Business Insider that Hanseatic Inspiration’s initial score of 62 was a “very unfortunate incident” that did not properly reflect the company’s “strict hygiene requirements.”

The cruise line addressed “operational aspects” of the ship to meet standards, prompting the score increase in a follow-up inspection. The spokesperson added that any remaining issues “are being addressed and will be completed in a timely manner” in accordance with CDC requirements.

There were two ships that initially failed to enter the 90s limit, but collided in subsequent inspections. Crystal Serenity received an 89 on February 2, but seven months later received a score of 90.

On May 1, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise failed with a score of 83 – but a subsequent inspection on July 2 gave them a passing score of 92.