Cruise Ship Sanitation Scores: How to Check Before You Book
So, you’re ready to book that dream cruise, but before you dive in headfirst, let’s talk about something every seasoned cruiser should know: cruise ship inspection scores. Trust me, you don’t want to accidentally end up on a ship with a lousy sanitation score. This is your ultimate guide to understanding those scores and using ShipTea’s tools to become the master of your health and safety onboard. Because who wants a side of E. coli with their all-you-can-eat buffet?
What Is the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program?
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) is like the health department for cruise ships, except they’re not here to Yelp review your meal. The VSP conducts unannounced inspections of cruise ships to ensure they meet strict sanitation standards. It’s all done to prevent those dreaded norovirus outbreaks and keep you healthy while you’re doing the cha-cha at sea.
Breaking Down the Inspection Score
Inspection scores range from 0 to 100, and while you might think an 85 is good enough (hey, it was in school), it’s not here. Anything below 86 is considered a fail. Yes, really. You wouldn’t board a sinking ship, so why board one failing its health checks?
- Perfect 100: These ships are cleaner than your grandma’s kitchen. Book with confidence.
- 90-99: Still solid. Just a few minor issues, probably a dusty corner or two.
- 86-89: Enter at your own risk. This is the danger zone, where “minor issues” start raising eyebrows.
- Below 86: Hard pass. These ships are skating on thin ice and need a serious scrub down.
How to Use ShipTea’s Ship Database
Okay, so you’re sold on checking those scores. But how? Enter ShipTea’s Ship Database, your one-stop-shop for all things cruise ship sanitation.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how to get your sleuth on:
- Head over to our Ship Database.
- Enter your ship’s name or cruise line in our search bar.
- Check out the ship’s recent inspection scores, and feel the power of knowledge flow through you.
- Compare scores of multiple ships if you want to see how your top picks stack up.
With this tool, you’ll never have to guess if your ship’s kitchen has a side of salmonella.
Perfect Scores and Epic Fails: The Roll Call
Let’s name and praise (or shame) some ships. Because if you’re going to be stuck at sea for a week, it better be on a squeaky-clean vessel.
Cleanest of the Clean
Some ships have been throwing down perfect scores like they’re auditioning for the sanitation Olympics. Here are a few that deserve a cruise line crown:
- Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas: Nailed a perfect 100 in its last inspection. Bravo!
- Carnival Horizon: Also clinched that coveted perfect score. Who knew cleanliness could be contagious?
See our full rankings of the cleanest ships to plan your spotless getaway.
The Hall of Shame
On the flip side, some ships should be banned from bon voyage:
- Norwegian Joy: Recently scored an 83. It’s a no from me.
- MSC Opera: Hit a shameful 80. Proceed with caution (or run the other way).
For repeated offenders, don’t miss our Outbreak Tracker to see who’s been making the news for all the wrong reasons.
Why You Should Care About Sanitation Scores
Aside from the obvious – not wanting to spend your cruise more intimate with your bathroom than your balcony – sanitation scores are a smart traveler’s secret weapon.
Health and Peace of Mind
Sure, you’re there to relax, but there’s nothing relaxing about catching a stomach bug. High sanitation scores are your insurance policy against an impromptu detox diet.
Signal of Overall Quality
Let’s be real, if a cruise line is keeping things spick and span in the kitchen and dining areas, they’re probably doing a decent job elsewhere too. It’s a proxy for quality.
Conclusion: Book Smart, Sail Safe
So there you have it. Before you hit “book now” on that cruise, do yourself a favor and scope out the sanitation scene. With ShipTea’s Ship Database, you’ll be armed with all the sanitary intel you need. Because the only thing you should be catching on your vacation is a tan.
While you're here, try our free cruise tools:
Explore real CDC inspection scores and outbreak data for every cruise ship.