(Daily Mail) Vacationers embark on cruises to enjoy rest and relaxation, but many vessels that travel the world are hiding dirty secrets.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has revealed the top 10 filthiest cruise ships of 2024 after health officials randomly inspected 114 different ships.
Inspectors evaluated the ships’ the medical center, potable water systems, galleys and dining rooms, swimming pools and whirlpools, housekeeping pest and insect management, child activity centers, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Three of the dirtiest ships include Hapag-Lloyd’s ‘Hanseatic Inspiration,’ Princess Cruises’ ‘Caribbean Princess,’ and Carnival’s ‘Carnival Breeze.
Cruise ships pack travelers from all over the world into a crowded, semi-enclosed vessel, which can facilitate the spread of person-to-person, foodborne and waterborne diseases, according the CDC.
When ships are unsanitary, it can further increase passengers’ disease risk and even lead to deadly outbreaks.
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) gave each ship received a sanitation score on a 100-point scale, with 100 being a perfect score.
The lowest scoring ship was the ‘Hanseatic Inspiration,’ which is run by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and received a score of 62
This VSP report is designed to help address and prevent cases of acute gastroenteritis – or the stomach flu – on board.
So far this year, there have been 10 outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis on cruise ships, according to a separate VSP report.
Ten ships received scores of 89 or below – with the lowest being 62. The VSP notes that any score of 85 or lower is considered ‘not satisfactory.’
The CDC performs two surprise cruise ship inspections every year, evaluating the sanitation of eight different areas on each ship.
The lowest scoring ship was the ‘Hanseatic Inspiration,’ which is run by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and received a score of 62.
The report listed numerous sanitation violations, including a beer tap coated in thick brown residue, live and dead flying insects at the pool bar, and a dead, decaying, maggot-filled bird at the outdoor grill.
Additionally, several food items, such as milk, crayfish and raw eggs, were not being stored at a cool enough temperature.
