From fruit flies by the pizza oven to out-of-date food: The dirtiest cruise ships revealed (and the ones that gained a perfect score from inspectors)
- The CDC carries out surprise inspections on ships using U.S ports twice a year
- Inspectors look at 8 areas including swimming pools, dining rooms and galleys
- Lowest scoring based on latest inspections is Japan Cruise Lines’ Pacific Venus
- Total of 14 vessel gained perfect scores for cleanliness from the CDC inspectors
Cruise ships that have failed to meet cleanliness standards in surprise inspections have been revealed.
Twice a year the U.S. government’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) carries out unannounced hygiene reviews on ships that enter American ports.
Its latest report shows that eight ships did not meet the required standards when it came to cleanliness – but 14 vessels gained perfect scores from inspectors.
Cruise ships that have failed to meet cleanliness standards in surprise inspections have been revealed. One is Japan Cruise Lines’ Pacific Venus, pictured
The CDC inspectors look at eight main areas of a cruise liner – the medical facilities, potable water systems, swimming pools and whirlpool spas, galleys and dining rooms, child activity centres, hotel accommodation, ventilation systems and common areas.
Ships are scored on a 100-point scale with points deducted for cleanliness violations. A score of 85 or below is a failing score.
The lowest scoring ship based on current inspections is Japan Cruise Lines’ Pacific Venus, which scored just 76.
On its last inspection, CDC workers found drinking water was not kept at the appropriate halogen levels and there was a lack of filters in the whirlpool spas.
A table from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report, which shows that eight ships did not meet the required standards for cleanliness
The CDC report also states it found the storage of food in non-food areas and instances of putting clean dishes in areas that were ‘heavily soiled’.
Joint second bottom is currently the Silver Wind, operated by Silversea Cruises, and the Safari Endeavour by Un-Cruise Adventures. They both scored 79.
The inspectors on Silver Wind found fruit flies in food and beverage areas, including by a pizza oven, and an instance of food being stored at the wrong temperature.
On Safari Endeavour, the CDC found expired food in refrigerators, dirty surfaces in kitchen areas and utensils in dirty ovens.
Other ships failing to meet the standard on are Oceania Insignia by Oceania Cruises, which scored 80, Silver Spirit by Silversea Cruises on 81, Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Breakaway on 84, Le Boreal from Compagnie Du Ponant SA on 84 and Ocean Dream by Japan Grace on 85.
Aida Cruises ship, Aidavita, which was one of 14 ships that gained a perfect score from inspectors
A list from the CDC report that shows the 14 ships that were deemed to be perfect when it came to cleanliness
The cruise ships that gained a perfect score from the CDC after its most recent inspections are Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas and Disney Cruise Lines’ Disney Wonder and Disney Fantasy.
Holland America Line also have two ships deemed perfect, which are Noordam and Amsterdam.
The others with 100 per cent scores are Celebrity Summit (Celebrity Cruises), Norwegian Gem (Norwegian Cruise Lines), Seabourn Quest (Seabourn Cruise Line), Viking Star (Viking Ocean Cruises), Aurora (P&O Cruises), Sea Princess (Princess Cruises) and Aidavita (Aida Cruises).
A spokesperson for Compagnie Du Ponant SA said: ‘Ponant takes this issue very seriously and is committed to meeting high standards in every aspect of our operations, across the globe.
‘Following the inspection reported here from 2017, Ponant took corrective action within 24 hours. All official documentation requested by the CDC detailing measures taken to resolve the issues were immediately provided by Ponant.’
MailOnline Travel has contacted Japan Cruise Lines, Silversea Cruises, Un-Cruise Adventures, Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Japan Grace for comment.