Latest score, full inspection history and the violations CDC inspectors found on Aurora.
Source: CDC public records
Data checked on October 31, 2026
Pass mark: 86 out of 100
Independent site, not the CDC
P&O CruisesInspected September 18, 2025
98out of 100
Latest CDC sanitation score
Passed
Aurora scored 98 out of 100 in its latest CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspection, on September 18, 2025. It passed: ships pass with 86 or more.
+9 vs previous inspection (89, Sep 18, 2023)
95.0average of the last 5 inspections
89lowest score (March 2015)
27inspections since 2001
0failed inspections
No CDC inspection in over a year. Aurora is on the CDC Green Sheet, but its latest published inspection is from September 18, 2025. The CDC says that a ship sailing outside the United States for an extended period “may not be inspected twice a year” and is inspected again when it returns (CDC FAQ).
Inspection history of Aurora
Every CDC inspection score on record for Aurora: 27 inspections from January 29, 2001 to September 18, 2025, 14 perfect scores of 100 and no failed inspections.
The full findings of the last 3 inspections, as written in the CDC reports. Each finding refers to an item of the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program standards; points are deducted by item, for a single significant violation or for a pattern of similar ones (CDC FAQ).
September 18, 2025
98Passed
37 findings · 2 points deducted
Points deducted (100 − 2 = 98):
−1 ptItem 21: Nonfood-contact surfaces designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located
All 37 findings the inspectors wrote down, grouped by area of the ship. Findings with a red edge belong to an item that lost points; the others were noted without a deduction.
Galleys (kitchens)21 findings
Item 20Deck 6- Bakery
One slotted fastener was on the food splash zone of deck oven #1.
Item 20Deck 6- Bakery
Two slotted fasteners were on the food splash zone of the bread slicer.
Item 21Deck 6- Forward Hot Service Line
The metal wire hanging from the heating lamp above hot cupboard #3 was difficult to clean.
Item 21Deck 6- Hot Galley
The white collar around rotating arm on the middle tilting kettle was in disrepair, making the area difficult to clean.
Item 21Deck 5- Tilting Kettle
The black handle on the tilting kettle was cracked, creating a difficult to clean surface. A large gap was around the rotating arm on the tilting kettle, also creating a difficult to clean surface.
Item 21Deck 6- Forward Medina Restaurant
Two seams were on the bottom of a portable sneeze shield, making the area difficult to clean.
Item 22Deck 10- Bellbox 3-Compartment Sink
Excessive grease and food debris were in the wash compartment.
Item 26Deck 10- Bellbox Ice Machine
Black debris collected in the ice bath.
Item 26Deck 6- Buffet Store
A previously cleaned and sanitized slicer was stored with an accumulation of food debris on the food contact surface.
Item 27Deck 10- Bellbox
Dust collected in the technical space above refrigerator BBG/DF1.
Item 27Deck 6- Forward Medina Restaurant
The seam on the bottom of the portable sneeze shield was soiled with dried food debris. The area was cleaned.
Item 33Deck 6- Portside Food Locker Area
The deck grouting around one tile was in disrepair. This allowed the tile to move around inside the damaged grouting.
Item 33Deck 5- Scullery
Condensate consistently dripped from the deckhead above the soiled side of the flight type dishwashing machine.
Item 33Deck 10- Bellbox Walk-in Cooler
Water from an unknown source dripped consistently from the deckhead in the walk-in cooler. This was previously reported.
Item 33Deck 12- Flight Type Dishwashing Machine
Condensate collected on and dripped from the deckhead above the soiled side of the flight type dishwashing machine.
Item 33Deck 6- China and Silver Store
Dust and debris accumulated on the deck under the shelving units.
Item 33Deck 5- Walk-in Cooler
Water dripped consistently from the deckhead sprinkler nozzle.
Item 37Deck 12- Flight Type Dishwashing Machine
Condensate collected on and dripped from the deckhead above the soiled side of the flight type dishwashing machine.
Item 37Deck 5- Scullery
Condensate consistently dripped from the deckhead above the soiled side of the flight type dishwashing machine.
Item 39Deck 8- Sindhu 3-Compartment Sink
One fruit fly was in this area.
Item 39Deck 6- Bakery
One fruit fly was near blast chiller #066507.
Buffets10 findings
Item 17Deck 12- Horizon Buffet
The time control plan the ship was following for breakfast service was not posted on the bulkhead in the immediate area. The time control plan was kept in a binder located on the buffet countertop.
Item 19Deck 5- Hot Line
Condensate collected on the sneeze shield and on the underside of the overshelf. The buffet was open at the time and food was out for service. No dripping was observed.
Item 19Deck 10- Pastry Island
One fruit fly landed on a piece of cake. Staff responded immediately.
Item 21Deck 12- Horizon Buffet Soup Station
The inside of the technical compartment was made of raw wood, which was not easily cleanable.
Item 33Deck 5- Handwashing Station
Dust accumulated on the deckhead above the crew handwashing station.
Item 33Deck 12- Portside Horizon Buffet Hot Service Line
Dust accumulated in the void space around the rolling fire shutter above the grill.
Item 37Deck 5- Hot Line
Condensate collected on the sneeze shield and on the underside of the overshelf. No dripping was observed.
Item 39Deck 5- Scullery Entrance
One fruit fly was in this area.
Item 39Deck 10- Pastry Island
One fruit fly landed on a piece of cake. Staff responded immediately.
Item 39Deck 12- Horizon Buffet Entrance to the Dishwashing Area
One fruit fly was in this area.
Food storage (provisions)2 findings
Item 33Deck 4- Meat and Poultry Potwash
Water from an unknown source dripped consistently from multiple places on the deckhead. This was previously reported and the area was not in operation.
Item 34Deck 4- Meat and Poultry Potwash
Water from an unknown source dripped consistently from multiple places on the deckhead. This was previously reported and the area was not in operation.
Drinking water2 findings
Item 06Legionella Testing
Legionella testing on recreational water facilities (RWFs) was last completed on 22 May 2025. According to the VSP 2025 Environmental Health Standards, RWFs must be sampled for Legionella at least every 3 months.
Item 08Striping
The piping between the evaporator and the mineralizer, and prior to the halogen injection point was striped blue/green/blue in two areas.
Medical center1 finding
Item 02Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) Logs
The Excel version of the AGE log did not include a Comments/Notes column, as specified in the VSP 2025 Environmental Public Health Standards.
Pools, hot tubs and water play areas1 finding
Item 10Shepherd's Hook
A pool scoop net and pole was stored directly on top of the shepherd's hook.
September 18, 2023
89Passed
50 findings · 11 points deducted
Points deducted (100 − 11 = 89):
−5 ptsItem 03: PW bunker / production source; Halogen residual
All 50 findings the inspectors wrote down, grouped by area of the ship. Findings with a red edge belong to an item that lost points; the others were noted without a deduction.
Galleys (kitchens)15 findings
Item 08Deck 8 Glass House Warewash
The backflow prevention device for the pre-rinse sink was in disrepair with water continuously dripping and pooling on the countertop. The area was not in operation.
Item 21Deck 8 Glass House
The brazing pan's technical compartment had a sticker that was peeling which created a difficult to clean surface.
Item 21Deck 6 Pastry
The bottom oven of deck oven #1 had two fasteners missing which created a difficult to clean void space.
Item 22Deck 12 Horizon
Both warewash machines for the lido deck were not operational. The glasswash machine was leaking and put out of operation the evening of 17 September 2023. The flight-type dishwasher was out of service since the morning of 18 September 2023 because the final sanitizing rinse was higher than 194°F.
Item 27Deck 8 Glass House
Water was pooling on the countertop near the warewash sink. The area was not in operation.
Item 27Deck 8 Glass House
The brazing pan's technical compartment was soiled behind a sticker that was peeling. The area was not in operation and had been previously cleaned and sanitized.
Item 27Deck 12 Lido Grill
The grease chute for the flat top grill was soiled with black residue. The residue was removed with an alcohol wipe. The area was not in operation and had been previously cleaned and sanitized.
Item 30Deck 10 Bell Box
The toilet room did not have a self-closing door. The inside doors were not self-closing and the outside door stopped at the door frame and did not latch closed.
Item 33Deck 5
The bulkhead behind both brazing pans had two missing fasteners each where the equipment housing was attached to the bulkhead.
Item 33Deck 10 Bell Box
Condensate collected above the right combination oven on the deckhead overhang and was dripping on the deck.
Item 33Deck 12 Horizon
Walk-in refrigerator #1 was missing a lock plug for the door which created a void space that was difficult to clean.
Item 33Deck 12 Horizon
The bulkhead across from the handwashing sink had four small punctures about a foot off the deck. Additionally, one large circular puncture was in the bulkhead behind the combination oven. Both areas were near the exit door that leads to the elevators.
Item 33Deck 12 Lido Grill
The top right track of the fire door shutter was soiled with more than one day's accumulation of cooking grease.
Item 36Deck 6 Warewash
The light intensity measured between 11 and 67 lux between the flight-type warewash machine and the bulkhead.
Item 37Deck 10 Bell Box
Condensate collected above the right combination oven on the deckhead overhang and was dripping on the deck.
Bars12 findings
Item 08Deck 12 Crystal - Soda Machine
The backflow prevention device for the soda machine was not completely visible for inspection due to installation adjacent to a pipe. The parts of the backflow prevention device that could be visually seen were soiled.
Item 21Deck 12 Riviera
The utility sink's handle was corroded and difficult to clean.
Item 27Deck 12 Crystal
Condensate had collected on the outside of freezer #2 and the water was dripping onto the deck. The area was not in operation.
Item 27Deck 12 Crystal - Soda Machine
The backflow prevention device for the soda machine in the undercounter technical cabinet was soiled.
Item 27Deck 13 Crows Nest
The outside of the hot water dispenser was soiled with food residue which was removed with an alcohol wipe. The area was not in operation and had been previously cleaned and sanitized.
Item 33Deck 8 Glass House
Water was consistently dripping in the technical cabinet beneath the bar entrance's utility sink and was pooling on the deck.
Item 33Deck 12 Pennant
The deckhead was in disrepair which created gaps between the deckhead panels exposing the plenum. The area was not in operation.
Item 33Deck 12 Riviera
The deckhead above the handwashing sink and right corner of the back bar was in disrepair which created large gaps and difficult to clean areas.
Item 33Deck 12 Crystal
Condensate had collected on the outside of freezer #2 and the water was dripping onto the deck. The area was not in operation.
Item 33Deck 12 Riviera Undercounter Refrigerators RI 11 and RI 12
The pipes for the condensing unit in the undercounter technical cabinet had collected excessive condensate which was dripping onto the deck inside the technical cabinet.
Item 34Deck 12 Pennant
Water was consistently dripping from a pipe in the technical cabinet beneath the bar entrance's utility sink and was pooling on the deck.
Item 36Deck 8 Glass House
The light intensity above the handwashing sink measured 77 lux. The lights were turned up as bright as possible.
Buffets9 findings
Item 16Deck 12 Horizon
The consumer advisory placards for all self-service items served raw or undercooked, including eggs and smoked salmon, did not include a statement of how they were served.
Item 21Deck 12 Horizon
The bain marie at the starboard hot food area was not smooth and in disrepair.
Item 21Deck 12 Horizon Starboard Forward Beverage Station
The juice machine was missing a fastener above the dispensing nozzles which created a crevice and difficult to clean surface.
Item 21Deck 12 Horizon Portside Forward Beverage Station
The juice machine was missing a fastener above the dispensing nozzles which created a crevice and difficult to clean surface.
Item 28Deck 12 Horizon
The food contact end of a knife out for passenger use was not fully wrapped in a disposable napkin and subject to possible contamination.
Item 33Deck 12 Horizon
The deck tiles by the deep fat fryer were cracked with crevices which were difficult to clean.
Item 36Deck 12 Horizon Portside Forward Beverage Station
The light intensity between the counter-mounted juice machine and adjacent bulkhead measured 25 lux. The light intensity to the left of the juice machine above the juice glasses measured 160 lux.
Item 36Deck 12 Horizon
The light intensity in front of the upright refrigerators in the specialty hot counter section measured less than 220 lux.
Item 36Deck 12 Horizon
The light intensity at the customer self-service station for cold dishes measured between 35 to 55 lux.
Drinking water7 findings
Item 03Production Records
On multiple instances in September 2023, halogenation levels during potable water production were noted below the required 2.0 ppm for durations greater than one hour without corrective actions or notations on the records. Specifically, on 17 September from 0800 to 1000 (1.4 ppm); 13 September from 1200 to 1300 (<2.0 ppm); 8 September from 0800 to 1045 (1.5 ppm); and 3 September from 0000 to 0145 (1.4 ppm). These recorded values were noted after the initial 30 minutes of startup where 2.0 ppm had been reached. Staff stated they are working on training staff to ensure corrective action is quickly taken and the logs reflect the action taken.
Item 07Disinfection Residual
Records indicated 200 ppm chlorine was used to disinfect the mineralizer on the potable water production system for 2 hours instead of 50 ppm for 4 hours. The record indicated this was a planned process and not an emergency disinfection procedure. Staff was unable to say why they used the 200 ppm and not 50 ppm.
Item 08Cross-Connection Control Log
The cross-connection control log did not have a complete listing for the ship's Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) assemblies. Specifically, there was a list of the RPZs but they did not include the plumbing system component and location. Additionally, air gaps for backwashing the mineralizers and filling the recreational water facility compensation tanks were not listed on the log.
Item 08Mineralizer Striping
The piping after the mineralizer prior to halogen injection point was striped blue and not blue/gray/blue.
Item 08Evaporator RPZs
Water steadily leaked from the atmospheric vent of the RPZ for evaporator #1 indicating possible malfunction. Additionally, the air gap below the RPZ's atmospheric vent for evaporator #2 was insufficient.
Item 08Spa
Four hair basin spray hoses and two pedicure spray hoses in the Spa did not have individual backflow protection.
Item 44Production
On multiple instances in September 2023, halogenation levels during potable water production were noted below the required 2.0 ppm for durations greater than one hour without corrective actions or notations on the records. Specifically, on 17 September from 0800 to 1000 (1.4 ppm); 13 September from 1200 to 1300 (<2.0 ppm); 8 September from 0800 to 1045 (1.5 ppm); and 3 September from 0000 to 0145 (1.4 ppm). These recorded values were noted after the initial 30 minutes of startup where 2.0 ppm had been reached. Staff stated they are working on training staff to ensure corrective action is quickly taken and the logs reflect the action taken.
Food safety, general2 findings
Item 21Brazing Pans
The back of the tilting handles had a large crevice around the circular handle which created a difficult to clean surface. This included the Glass House galley, bell box galley, and main galley.
Item 31Disinfectant
Electrolyzed water generating units for disinfecting non-food area surfaces were in multiple food areas. These areas included: Deck 8 Ruffles Pantry, Deck 9 Housekeeping Pantry (FD9/II/02), Deck 12 Crystal Bar/Lido Pantry. The units generated 250 ppm chlorine for disinfecting surfaces outside of the food areas.
Pantries2 findings
Item 36Deck 5 Crew
The light intensity to the right of the ice machine measured between 35 and 78 lux.
Item 3912 Lido Grill
One small fly was near the dirty area of the warewash sink.
Medical center2 findings
Item 01Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) 24-Hour Report
The 24-hour AGE report for 18 September 2023 listed the current crew and passenger counts, not the total crew and passengers at the beginning of the voyage.
On voyage R318, a food employee experienced three episodes of diarrhea while working beginning at 1800 but did not report to medical until 2030 later the same day. A food assessment was conducted and appropriate corrective actions were documented.
Pools, hot tubs and water play areas1 finding
Item 10Fabricated Drain Covers
The ship had internal documentation indicating 10 fabricated drain covers were installed throughout the four pools in December 2022; however, no letter or certificate from a certifying organization accompanied each custom/shipyard constructed (field fabricated) drain cover fitting. Staff stated they had discussed this with corporate and are waiting on this documentation.
September 24, 2018
100Passed
15 findings · 0 points deducted
No points deducted.
Show all 15 findings
All 15 findings the inspectors wrote down, grouped by area of the ship. Findings with a red edge belong to an item that lost points; the others were noted without a deduction.
Galleys (kitchens)8 findings
Item 19Walk-in Refrigerator
Approximately 25 prepared plates of food were stacked unprotected on shelves of a plate trolley in this refrigerator. The food was close to the entrance of the door and was not covered or protected in any way.
Item 20Clean Dish Storage
A yellow cutting board in this area contained deep gouges and scores making it difficult to clean.
Item 26Clean Dishwash Storage
A previously-cleaned yellow cutting board was soiled and contained food debris in the gouges and scores in an amount that exceeded a day's accumulation.
Item 29Exit Conveyor Dishwash
The water temperature at the handwash sink located at the exit of the dishwash machine measured 125°F. The knob for temperature adjustment was also broken off.
Item 33Dishwash Area
The deckhead in this area was soiled and contained a noticeable buildup of condensation. No clean dishes were impacted.
Item 33Deck 6 Dishwash Area
The deckhead opposite the dishwash conveyor contained 1-centimeter gaps at the bulkhead juncture and also along a vertical deckhead panel making cleaning difficult. The gaps were open to the void space behind the bulkhead. Dirty dishware was stacked just below this area.
Item 37Dishwash Area
The deckhead in this area had a buildup of condensation. The ventilation at the end of the rack-type dishwasher seemed to have no flow and steam from the machine was flowing out into the room. While observing this, Staff was quick to notify the inspector that this was due to a defective piece of ventilation equipment. The equipment was previously scheduled to be repaired. However, the wrong part was ordered.
Item 38Soup Galley
A broken combination oven was stored in this area. Staff reported that the oven was being used for spare parts until all of the ovens can be replaced.
Medical center3 findings
Item *Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) Logs
The electronic medical software used by the ship staff was exporting data from the 'master log' into the underlying illness column of the AGE log. A review of the medical charts showed that medical staff were correctly assessing patients and documenting underlying illness within the software so the issue appeared to be a glitch with the way the data automatically populated in the AGE log.
Item 02Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) Logs
The current version of the medical AGE Log did not list the date and time of the case's last symptom per section 4.1.2.1.3. This log was not in the same format as required by the annex 13.2.2. of the 2018 VSP Operations Manual. This is a new requirement for the June 2018 VSP Operations Manual.
Item 21Pantry
The undercounter glasswash machine in the pantry had strips of black tape securing the manufacturer's labeling to the front panel. The tape made the surface difficult to clean. The glasswash was not in operation during the inspection and was clean to sight and touch.
Drinking water2 findings
Item 07Air Gap
There was insufficient clearance for the air gap on the mineralizer. The distance should be twice the diameter of the pipe from the flood rim level of the funnel. The pipe measured three (3) inches and the clearance was only approximately 3.5 inches.
Item 08High Pressure Washer
The potable water line connected to the high-pressure washer was not striped 'blue' or 'blue/green/blue'. Staff stated that this water line was recently repainted which covered the striping.
Buffets1 finding
Item 26Lido Port Beverage Station
During breakfast service, the utensil well adjacent to the tea area contained previously-cleaned spoons with food debris on the food-contact surface. These spoons were removed for cleaning immediately.
Dining rooms1 finding
Item 39Crew Mess
Just before lunch, while no crew were present and food was out for service, three (3) fruit flies were observed on the deckhead in the seating area. No food was directly impacted by the flies during the inspection.
To see this report on the CDC site: open the CDC inspection search, choose Aurora in the list of cruise ships, select “All Dates” and press Search, then open “Report” next to the inspection date. (The CDC tool does not allow direct links to a single report.)
