Top Dirtiest Cruise Ships (CDC List): Know Your Health Rights

Imagine embarking on a dream cruise vacation, only to find yourself confined to your cabin due to a severe illness caused by unsanitary conditions on the ship. Sadly, this nightmare scenario is a reality for many cruise ship passengers who have fallen victim to the negligence of cruise lines. What are the dirtiest cruise ships, and how can you protect your health and legal rights?

In this blog post, we'll explore the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vessel Sanitation Program, the most unsanitary cruise ships, and the steps you can take if you've suffered an illness or injury due to a cruise line's negligence.

If you or a loved one were in this unfortunate situation, know that the cruise ship passenger claims attorneys at Louis A. Vucci P.A. are here to help. Call us at (786) 375-0344 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

CDC Cruise Ship Sanitation and Inspection Scores

The CDC operates the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) to help prevent and control the introduction, transmission, and spread of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships. The VSP conducts regular, unannounced inspections of cruise ships operating in U.S. waters and provides public reports on its findings. The VSP also archives records for ships no longer sailing in the U.S. and activates their records if ships return to the U.S. market.

During these inspections, the CDC checks cruise ships for cleanliness and sanitation, including:

• Food preparation and storage
• Water supply and distribution
• Employee hygiene practices
• Ship cleanliness and maintenance
• Pest management

Ships are rated on a 100-point scale, with scores of 86 or higher deemed satisfactory. Scores below 86 are unsatisfactory and may require follow-up inspections or corrective actions.

Most Unsanitary Cruise Ships

Most cruise lines aim for high cleanliness standards, but some ships have received poor scores or been linked to illness outbreaks. Some of the most unsanitary cruise ships in recent years include:

• Oceania Insignia – Inspectors found the ship didn’t have consistent pH levels in its drinking water. Food was also kept at unsafe temperatures and was infested with insects – Score of 80
• Silver Wind – Inspectors found dangerously low drinking and pool water pH levels. The dishwashing area was dirty, and food was stored at unsafe temperatures. – Score: 79
• Silver Spirit – Inspectors noted crew members were working despite being infected with a stomach virus. Food was also at risk of cross-contamination – Score of 81
• Safari Endeavor – There was an outbreak of gastroenteritis aboard the ship as well as contaminated drinks and a hot tub deemed a disease outbreak risk – Score of 79
• Norwegian Breakaway – Inspectors discovered a staff member continued working despite being sick with the stomach flu. Food was infested with fruit flies, and leftover food was stored at unsafe temperatures – Score of 85
• Le Boreal – Inspectors noted fruit flies infesting food aboard the ship. Food was also stored in dirty areas at unsafe temperatures– Score of 84

Cruise Lines on the Scored 100 List

In addition to shaming the cruise industry for ships that have scored at the bottom of the list for cleanliness, the CDC also releases a list of cruise operators that have received a score of 100. You can find a list of a few of those high-scoring cruise lines below:

• Norwegian Cruise Lines – With six ships on the CDC’s list of ships with scores of 100, Norwegian is more represented than any other line when it comes to clean ships.
• Royal Caribbean International – There are five ships on the 100-score list representing Royal Caribbean.
• MSC Cruise Management (UK) Ltd. – MSC has four ships on the CDC’s list of top-scoring cruise vessels, including the MSC Seashore.
• Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc. – Carnival cruise line has three ships on the 100-score list, making them another line known for cleanliness.

Keep in mind that, just because a cruise line has ships that receive 100s from the CDC, that doesn’t mean all of their ships are clean. While MSC has four ships on the Scored 100 list, the MSC Magnifica scored an 86 in mid 2024, the minimum grade to pass.

Using the CDC’s database, you can check the recent scores for ships operating today. For instance, we can see that the Carnival Breeze scored a 95 in October of 2024, and that the Carnival Elation scored a 96 at the start of 2025. There are many lines in the database that aren’t represented in the list above: for instance: the Caribbean Princess from Princess Cruises scored a 95, also at the beginning of 2025.

Before deciding on a cruise, you schould check the database linked above. It can tell you when a ship is on the line of acceptable cleanliness. For example, the National Geographic Sea Bird from Linblad Expeditions scored an 88 in mid 2025, just two points above the cut-off for an acceptable score. You can also track when a ship makes significant improvements, such as Evrima from the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection which scored an 86 in 2024 and an 94 in 2025.

Health and Safety Laws for Cruises

Cruise ships are subject to various health and safety regulations, including the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010. This law requires cruise lines to report certain crimes, maintain a crew member-to-passenger ratio of 1:2,500, and provide passengers with information about their rights and available resources.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) also sets global standards for cruise ship safety and environmental protection through the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and other regulations.

Passenger Rights and Cruise Ship Cleanliness

As a cruise ship passenger, you have the right to a safe and sanitary environment. If the cruise line's negligence leads to unsanitary conditions or illness, you may claim compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Document any unsanitary conditions or illnesses you encounter during your cruise. Report them to the ship's staff and medical personnel. Keep copies of any correspondence and medical records related to the incident.

Filing a Complaint Against Cruise Ships

If you believe a cruise ship has violated health and safety regulations or has been negligent in maintaining a clean and sanitary environment, you can file a complaint with the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program or the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).

Additionally, consider contacting a cruise ship passenger claims attorney to discuss your legal options and potential compensation. At Louis A. Vucci P.A., our attorneys have extensive experience handling cases involving cruise ship injuries and illnesses. Call us at  (786) 375-0344 to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help protect your rights.

Legal Recourse for Cruise Ship Passengers

If you have suffered an illness or injury due to unsanitary conditions on a cruise ship, you may be able to pursue legal action against the cruise line. Cruise ship passenger claims can be complex, often involving maritime law and international regulations.

Working with an experienced cruise ship passenger claims attorney protects your rights and secures the compensation you deserve. The attorney will investigate the incident, gather evidence, and negotiate with the cruise line or their insurer on your behalf.

Protect Your Health and Rights on a Cruise

When planning a cruise vacation, research the ship's sanitation record and know your rights as a passenger. If unsanitary conditions or illness occur due to cruise line negligence, seek medical attention and consult an attorney.

At Louis A. Vucci P.A., we are dedicated to helping cruise ship passengers who have suffered injuries or illnesses due to unsanitary conditions or negligence. Our experienced attorneys will tirelessly protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at  (786) 375-0344 to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can assist you.

Related Posts:

• What is the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, and How Does it Apply to Cruise Ships?
• Compensation for Food Poisoning on a Cruise Ship
• Cruise Ship Codes: What Passengers Need to Know