"Maggots, grime, and disease": Shocking CDC report exposes world's dirtiest cruise ships

The allure of luxury cruises is overshadowed by serious hygiene concerns, as revealed in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s recent report. The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program evaluates the cleanliness of cruise ships to minimize the risk of gastrointestinal diseases. This year, the agency reported that ten ships scored below 89 out of 100, which is considered unsatisfactory, with any score of 85 or lower labeled as "not satisfactory."

The most troubling findings came from the Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanseatic Inspiration, which received a dismal score of 62. The CDC's inspection revealed several health code violations, including a beer tap covered in grime, both living and dead insects swarming the pool bar, and a decaying bird infested with maggots located near the grill outside. Additionally, food items that required refrigeration were found not stored at the necessary low temperatures.

In light of the inspection results, Karen Schmidt, senior communications manager at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, expressed regret, stating, “We deeply regret that the HANSEATIC inspiration did not achieve the required score for the first time. The result of this inspection in no way reflects our high standards.” Schmidt emphasized that the cruise line has “consistently met the strict hygiene requirements for many years” and indicated that they would investigate the various breaches in health safety aboard the ship. She added, “We will use this opportunity to improve our processes in all areas and ensure that all our ships deliver the quality experience our guests expect.”


The report also highlighted other vessels with concerning hygiene issues. Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess, Carnival’s Carnival Breeze, and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima all received scores of 86. The Caribbean Princess was noted for having flies and insects discovered in its kitchens, while the Carnival Breeze failed to prevent pests from boarding and left trays of food outside in the rain. Moreover, the crew bathroom on the Carnival Breeze was described as “overflowing” with trash. Onboard Evrima, fruit flies were congregating in the juicing machine, missing rat guards were reported, and the whirlpool filter had not been changed in two years.

Amid these disheartening findings, some cruise ships achieved perfect cleanliness scores. Notable vessels like Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Spirit, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Ascent, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy, and Royal Caribbean International’s Brilliance of the Seas all scored 100, demonstrating that high standards of hygiene are possible within the industry.

The CDC’s report serves as a crucial reminder for travelers to review health inspection records before booking cruises. These inspections are vital to protecting the safety and well-being of guests, particularly as cruise ships expose travelers to new environments and high volumes of people, increasing the risk of illness from contaminated food or water, or through person-to-person contact. The agency is committed to assisting the cruise ship industry in preventing and controlling gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses.