CDC Vessel Sanitation Program data
CDC cruise ship inspection scores
The latest CDC sanitation score of all 205 cruise ships that sail from U.S. ports, with every past inspection and the violations inspectors found.
- Source: CDC public records
- Data checked on October 31, 2026
- Pass mark: 86 out of 100
- Independent site, not the CDC
Type part of the name. Try Carnival Breeze, Norwegian Dawn or Disney Wish.
Latest CDC cruise ship inspections: the CDC has published 209 inspections for 2026 so far, the most recent on October 17, 2026 (Le Lyrial scored 83). Average 2026 score: 96.8 out of 100; 3 failed (85 or lower) and 52 scored a perfect 100. Full 2026 inspections list.
How to read a CDC score
CDC inspectors start from 100 and deduct points for violations of the Vessel Sanitation Program standards, in eight areas from the galleys to the pools and the medical center. A ship fails with 85 or lower.
- 100Perfect: no points deducted
- 95–99Passed, few problems
- 90–94Passed
- 86–89Passed, close to the line
- 85 or lowerFailed (not satisfactory)
The CDC only says that 85 or lower is “not satisfactory”. The color bands above are ours, to make the list easier to scan.
Latest inspections
The 12 most recent inspections published by the CDC, checked on October 31, 2026.
The most recent inspection the CDC has published is from October 17, 2026.
- Le LyrialPonant · Oct 17, 202683
- Emerald PrincessPrincess Cruises · Oct 16, 202678
- Disney TreasureDisney Cruise Line · Sep 26, 202697
- Icon of the SeasRoyal Caribbean International · Sep 5, 2026100
- Wonder of the SeasRoyal Caribbean International · Sep 4, 202699
- Carnival PrideCarnival Cruise Line · Aug 30, 202698
- Symphony of the SeasRoyal Caribbean International · Aug 29, 202699
- Seabourn VentureSeabourn · Aug 29, 202693
- Norwegian LunaNorwegian Cruise Line · Aug 29, 2026100
- Star SeekerWindstar Cruises · Aug 28, 202694
- Harmony of the SeasRoyal Caribbean International · Aug 25, 202698
- Norwegian EscapeNorwegian Cruise Line · Aug 24, 202688
Failed inspections in 2026
3 inspections scored 85 or lower in 2026 so far.
| Ship | Cruise line | Inspection date | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Lyrial | Ponant | Oct 17, 2026 | 83 Failed |
| Emerald Princess | Princess Cruises | Oct 16, 2026 | 78 Failed |
| Norwegian Dawn | Norwegian Cruise Line | Mar 29, 2026 | 84 Failed |
Ships whose latest score on the Green Sheet is a fail: Emerald Princess (78, Oct 16, 2026), Le Lyrial (83, Oct 17, 2026), Norwegian Dawn (84, Mar 29, 2026), Villa Vie Odyssey (81, Jul 9, 2025).
Cruise lines
Average latest score of the largest cruise lines. All 41 cruise lines.
- Royal Caribbean International28 ships · average97.5
- Carnival Cruise Line26 ships · average97.3
- Norwegian Cruise Line18 ships · average95.7
- Princess Cruises16 ships · average94.8
- Celebrity Cruises12 ships · average97.3
- Holland America Line11 ships · average96.9
- MSC Cruise Management10 ships · average96.6
- Oceania Cruises8 ships · average98.6
- Viking8 ships · average97.2
- Disney Cruise Line7 ships · average99.1
- Silversea7 ships · average96.0
- Carnival UK4 ships · average94.8
Rankings and lists
- Perfect 100 scores in 202652 inspections
- Lowest scores of 2026every score of 93 or below
- All failed inspectionssince 1991
- Cruise ship sanitation scores 2026every inspection
- Norovirus and GI outbreaksposted by the CDC since 2023
- Cleanest cruise linesranked by average CDC score, last 12 months
- 2026 vs 2025year-over-year comparison
- How CDC inspections workwhat inspectors check
Questions
What is a passing CDC score for a cruise ship?
Ships are scored out of 100. A score of 86 or higher passes; the CDC says that scores of 85 or lower are “not satisfactory” and counts them as a failed inspection (CDC FAQ).
How often are cruise ships inspected?
Cruise ships under the CDC’s jurisdiction (international voyages with a stop at a U.S. port) are subject to two unannounced inspections each year, done while the ship is in a U.S. port (CDC FAQ, CDC).
Does a low score mean a ship is unsafe?
Not on its own. The score shows how well the ship met the CDC’s sanitation standards on the day of the inspection. It is not a safety rating and it cannot tell you whether you will get sick. Read the findings to see what the inspectors actually saw.
Why can’t I find my ship?
The CDC only covers cruise ships on international voyages with a stop at a U.S. port. Ships that sail outside the United States for an extended period drop out of the CDC database and are added back when they return and are inspected (CDC FAQ).