Navigating the High Seas: Unpacking Cruise Ship Cleanliness and Outbreak Risks
When planning a holiday afloat, the allure of endless buffets and sparkling swimming pools is undeniable. However, these very amenities, along with countless other onboard interactions, can also be hotbeds for germs. Recent research has shed light on which cruise lines are setting the benchmark for hygiene at sea, offering a clearer picture for travellers concerned about potential health risks.
All major cruise lines operate under stringent health regulations. In the United States, for instance, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) conducts rigorous hygiene inspections twice a year on ships that regularly call into American ports. These inspections are comprehensive, assigning a sanitation score out of 100 based on the cleanliness of critical areas.
Key Areas Assessed for Cruise Ship Sanitation:
- Galleys and Dining Rooms: The heart of food preparation and service undergoes intense scrutiny.
- Kids’ Clubs: Areas frequented by younger, more vulnerable passengers are a priority.
- Housekeeping: Standards for cabin and public area cleanliness are meticulously checked.
- Swimming Pools and Spas: Water quality and surrounding areas are assessed for hygiene.
A score of 85 or lower on this CDC scale is considered a failing grade, indicating significant room for improvement in a ship’s sanitation practices.
The importance of these inspections is underscored by the persistent threat of norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships. The CDC reported a concerning 23 onboard norovirus outbreaks in 2025, marking a 28 per cent increase from the previous year. While this statistic is alarming, it’s worth noting that current data suggests no direct correlation between the number of viral outbreaks and a ship’s sanitation score. This means a high score doesn’t guarantee immunity from illness, and conversely, a lower score doesn’t automatically predict an outbreak.
Despite the potential for outbreaks, the good news for travellers is that the vast majority of cruise lines are performing well. Most achieved scores well above the 85-point threshold. An exception was the residential cruise ship, Villa Vie Odyssey, which received a score of 81.
Cruise Lines Excelling in Hygiene:
Several cruise lines have demonstrated exceptional commitment to cleanliness, with some ships achieving a perfect score of 100.
- Royal Caribbean stands out, boasting the highest number of vessels with a flawless sanitation rating. Five of their ships achieved a perfect 100. These include:
- Icon of the Seas, a relatively new entrant that debuted in 2024.
- Adventure of the Seas, a veteran that first set sail in 2004.
- Jewel of the Seas.
- Ovation of the Seas.
- Utopia of the Seas.
Other ships that have earned a perfect 100 score include:
- Viking Polaris
- Celebrity Apex
- Explora I
When looking at overall line performance, Crystal Cruises and Viking tied for the top spot, both achieving an impressive average cleanliness score of 99 out of 100.
Parent Company Rankings for Cleanliness:
Grouping cruise lines by their parent companies provides another perspective on hygiene standards.
- Viking and Virgin Voyages led the pack, with Viking scoring an average of 98.75 and Virgin Voyages at 97.67.
- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the parent company for brands such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas, secured third place with an average rating of 97.39.
- Disney Cruise Line ranked fourth with a respectable score of 76.74.
- Carnival and Royal Caribbean followed, taking fifth and sixth positions respectively. It’s important to consider that the extensive fleets of companies like Royal Caribbean and Carnival (which encompasses P&O Cruises and Princess) can influence these overall averages.
While the CDC’s sanitation scores offer valuable insights into a cruise line’s commitment to cleanliness, they are just one piece of the puzzle. Travellers should also remain vigilant about personal hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, to minimise their own risk of illness while enjoying their time at sea.
