Latest score, full inspection history and the violations CDC inspectors found on Carnival Horizon.
Source: CDC public records
Data checked on October 31, 2026
Pass mark: 86 out of 100
Independent site, not the CDC
Carnival Cruise LineInspected August 15, 2026
96out of 100
Latest CDC sanitation score
Passed
Carnival Horizon scored 96 out of 100 in its latest CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspection, on August 15, 2026. It passed: ships pass with 86 or more.
+1 vs previous inspection (95, Feb 8, 2026)
95.8average of the last 5 inspections
91lowest score (January 2019)
11inspections since 2018
0failed inspections
Inspection history of Carnival Horizon
Every CDC inspection score on record for Carnival Horizon: 11 inspections from July 27, 2018 to August 15, 2026, no 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).
All 28 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)12 findings
Item 15Deck 10 - Walk-In Refrigeration Unit
Sliced cheddar cheese stored in a metal container and identified with a preparation date of 14 August 2026 showed evidence of melting, bubbling, and reforming into a solid block. Black, slimy residue accumulated on the surface of the cheese. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 16Deck 10 - Guy's Burgers
A metal container of cooked hamburger patties was stored inside the reach-in time-control hot-holding unit without a 4-hour discard label. The service period identified on the posted time control plan exceeded four hours. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 17Deck 10 - Extension Galley
?The cooling log did not include an entry for the chicken pot pie, which had a preparation date of 12 August 2026 and was in cold holding inside the walk-in refrigeration unit. Crew provided a cooling log entry for the “chicken pot pie mixture,” which documented completion of cooling at 0940; however, there was no entry or comment documenting when the assembled chicken pot pie completed cooling. Crew stated the chicken pot pie mixture and assembled pie were cooled simultaneously but could not provide documentation to verify the cooling process for the assembled pie.
Item 17Deck 5 - Bonsai Sushi Show Galley
There was no time control plan posted inside the show galley used to prepare and serve food at the Bonsai Sushi outlet. Equipment identified for time control, including a rice warmer, cold wells, and countertops, was located inside the show galley. The nearest posted time control plan was through a latching door near the warewashing area in the main galley.
Item 20Deck 10 - Pizzeria del Capitano Show Galley
The grout forming part of the food-contact surface surrounding the hot-holding well for ready-to-eat sliced pizza was chipped and deteriorated, creating numerous difficult-to-clean surfaces.
Item 21Deck 10 - Blue Iguana Salsa Bar
The external coating of the middle aft compartment door was peeling and chipped, creating a difficult-to-clean surface. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 22Deck 10 - Scullery
Crew stated that the rack-type warewashing machine had been out of order since the morning of the inspection.
Item 26Deck 3 - Hot Preparation Area
The food-contact surfaces of the grooved grill were soiled with encrusted grease and old food residue from the previous food service. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 27Deck 3 - Center Preparation Area
Dust and white residue accumulated on the top surfaces of 20 previously cleaned and sanitized plate mats. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 27Deck 10 - Guy's Burgers Show Galley
Deep-fat fryer cleaning equipment stored on an open shelf was soiled with more than one day’s accumulation of liquid grease on its nonfood-contact surfaces. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 30Deck 0 - Passenger Handwashing Station
The two automatic self-service handwashing stations did not dispense any soap. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 33Deck 10 - Pizzeria del Capitano Show Galley
The laminate coating on the bulkheads throughout the show galley was peeling in multiple locations, exposing pitted and difficult-to-clean surfaces in the food preparation area. Crew stated the laminate coating would be replaced during the upcoming dry dock.
Food safety, general3 findings
Item 27Equipment Gaskets
Internal equipment gaskets were excessively soiled and stained in the following food service areas: -Deck 3 - Main Galley Hot Preparation Area: Black residue accumulated on the gasket inside the reach-in refrigerator. -Deck 0 - Crew Galley Hot Preparation Area: Black and brown residue accumulated on the gasket inside the undercounter temperature-control unit. -Deck 0 - Crew Galley: Spotted black residue accumulated on the gasket inside reach-in time-control unit # 0-20TDG. -Deck 0 - Crew Galley: Dark yellow residue accumulated on the gasket inside the undercounter time-control unit.
Item 33Condition of Decks, Deckheads, and Bulkheads
Decks, deckheads, and bulkheads were in disrepair in the following food areas: -Deck 10 - Lido Marketplace Starboard Beverage Station, Aft: The grout surrounding the corner bulkhead tiles above the counter was chipped and recessed, creating difficult-to-clean surfaces. -Deck 10 – Lido Marketplace Galley Warewashing Area: The deck tile beneath the food biodigester was cracked, with residue and debris accumulated inside the difficult-to-clean surface. -Deck 10 – Lido Marketplace Galley Warewashing Area: The grout between the metal landing and the deck tiles in front of the conveyor-type warewashing machine was recessed and missing. -Deck 5 - Lido Marketplace Hot Station Forward: The grout between the backsplash and bulkhead was chipped and missing, with slimy black residue accumulated in the recessed areas. Crew initiated corrective action. -Deck 0 - Crew Galley Soup Station: The silicone between bulkhead panels was missing and peeling, creating difficult-to-clean surfaces. -Deck 0 - Crew Galley Walk-In Refrigeration Unit: A wide gap in the internal bulkhead exposed difficult-to-clean insulation.
Item 39Integrated Pest Management
Pests were present in the following food areas: -Deck 10 – Lido Marketplace Buffet Starboard Beverage Station, Aft: One small fly was on the bulkhead to the right side of the counter-mounted juice dispensers. -Deck 10 – Lido Marketplace Buffet Aft Family Station: One large fly was on the metal bracket above the buffet line. -Deck 10 – Lido Marketplace Buffet Portside Coffee Station, Forward: One small fly was on the bulkhead. -Deck 10 – Lido Marketplace Buffet “Go Late” Forward Station: One small fly flew around the crew service area. -Deck 10 – Lido Marketplace Extension Galley: Three flies flew between the blast chiller and reach-in freezer unit. -Deck 10 – Pizzeria del Capitano Galley: One small fly was on the underside of the utility sink. -Deck 5 – Bonsai Sushi Galley: One small fly was on the bracket for the door between the galley and waiter station. -Deck 0 - Crew Galley Hot Preparation: One fly was in the area.
Bars1 finding
Item 33Deck 15 - Serenity
Open bottles of liquor were stored on two bulkhead-mounted display shelves that were not coved to the bulkhead.
Pools, hot tubs and water play areas1 finding
Item 10Deck 10 - Beach Swimming Pool
Due to poor water clarity, it was difficult to see the pool bottom and antientrapment floor drain covers in the swimming pool's deep end. Clouds were forming in the water above the circular floor inlets. Crew stated these inlets were part of the chlorination system. The swimming pool was open with multiple bathers present.
Pantries3 findings
Item 197 - Portside # 7.012
Dark gray metallic debris was on the surface of an ice cube inside the ice machine's ice bin.
Item 26Deck 15 - Serenity
More than a day’s accumulation of gray debris was inside the ice water return bath in the technical compartment of the deck-mounted ice machine. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 267 - Portside # 7.012
Gray metallic debris and granular sediment accumulated in the ice water return bath inside the technical compartment of the ice machine.
Drinking water3 findings
Item 03Production Records
The potable water production halogen analyzer chart for 30 April 2026 showed the free chlorine residual below 2.0 mg/L from 1645 to 1730. There were no notations on the chart explaining the low chlorine residual.
Item 08Deck 7 - AC Room # 7.4.1
A potable water line in this room was striped blue/white/blue. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 08Bunker Station - Portside
A distillate filling manifold in this bunker station was striped blue/gray/blue without a technical water designation. This water is not intended for potable water production. Crew initiated corrective action.
Buffets2 findings
Item 21Deck 10 - Lido Marketplace Portside Hot Station
The grout surrounding the hot plates on the buffet island was chipped and recessed, creating difficult-to-clean surfaces. Crew stated this area would be replaced during the upcoming dry dock.
Item 30Deck 5 - Empanada & Pie Passenger Handwashing Station
The drying function of the automatic handwashing system recessed into the right bulkhead did not activate during four handwashing cycles. No other means of drying hands were provided. Crew initiated corrective action.
On 13 July 2026, a nonfood-handling crew member developed acute gastroenteritis (AGE) symptoms at 0800 but did not report to the medical center for evaluation or begin isolation until 1103. Records confirmed the crew member worked while symptomatic. The crew member received disciplinary action.
Food preparation rooms1 finding
Item 21Deck 0 - Cooked Foods
The door handle on the undercounter reach-in refrigerator was broken, creating a difficult-to-clean surface.
Ventilation1 finding
Item 28Deck 9 - AC Room # 9.1.1
A new and partially wrapped ice/water unit was stored in this fan room. The deckhead was unfinished with exposed ducting and various difficult-to-clean pipes.
All 34 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 3 - Starboard Beverage Station
The backflow prevention device's atmospheric vents were blocked on the countertop juice dispenser machine.
Item 21Deck 10 - Lido Portside
The deli slicer's plastic underside was excessively scored and in disrepair.
Item 21Deck 10 - Extension Galley Forward Midship
The rubber feet of the buffalo chopper were in disrepair and the metal leg seams directly above the feet were rusty.
Item 21Deck 10 - Extension Galley Forward Midship
One panel on an undercounter technical compartment door was broken, leaving a difficult-to-clean gap in the door.
Item 22Deck 3 - Warewash
The flight-type warewash machine's final sanitizing rinse gauge was not properly calibrated. The gauge read 179°F; however, the manual manifold temperature check measured 187°F. The final rinse's plate surface temperature measured 165°F and 167°F.
Item 26Deck 3 - Portside Hot Line Area
The ice machine was soiled with black residue on the water arm and above the ice thickness sensor.
Item 26Deck 3 - Preparation Area
Two previously cleaned and sanitized soup pots were soiled on the inner food-contact surfaces.
Item 26Deck 5 - Pig and Anchor Show Galley
The heating lamp above the previously cleaned and sanitized food counter was soiled with old food debris. The outlet was not in operation.
Item 27Deck 10 - Lido Portside
The deli slicer's plastic underside was soiled with more than a day's accumulation of food residue.
Item 27Deck 3 - Preparation Area
Water pooled on the preparation counter beneath previously cleaned and sanitized soup pots.
Item 28Deck 3 - Preparation Area
Multiple previously cleaned and sanitized soup pots were stored on the preparation counter in a way that did not allow for proper drying, and the pots rested in water.
Item 30Deck 10 - Crew Toilet, Lido Potwash Area
Water pooled on the deck in one crew toilet room.
Item 33Deck 10 - Soup Station
Deck tile grout was missing or in disrepair in several locations around the soup stations.
Item 33Deck 5 - Fahrenheit 555 Show Galley
A deck tile was missing by the grill shutter door's rail.
Item 39Deck 0 - Hot Holding Area
One small fly was behind the upright combination oven.
Buffets5 findings
Item 18Deck 10 - Starboard Aft Beverage Station
One piece of ice inside the ice machine was soiled with a black residue. The machine was immediately closed for service and the ice was discarded.
Item 20Deck 10 - Starboard Aft Beverage Station
A piece of silicone hung from the top panel inside of the in-counter ice machine.
Item 21Deck 10 - Lido Aft Buffet Line
There were several large cracks within the countertop grout.
Item 26Deck 10 - Starboard Aft Beverage Station
The ice machine's inner surface was soiled with a black residue.
Item 27Deck 10 - Midship Aft Beer Station
The soft silicone around the beer tap's base was soiled with a black residue.
Bars4 findings
Item 20Deck 4 - Skybox Sports Bar
Slotted fasteners were installed on the food-splash surface of one soda gun.
Item 26Deck 5 - Havana Bar
The interior of two beer taps were soiled with a slimy residue, one in the bar's indoor section and one outdoor.
Item 27Deck 10 - Tides Bar
The frozen drink machine's technical compartment, which is open to the food splash area, was soiled with more than a day's accumulation of dust.
Item 33Deck 10 - Tides Bar
The deckhead above the bar's working side was peeling and corroded in several locations.
Food safety, general2 findings
Item 21Countertops
The grout used on countertops throughout many food outlets was difficult to clean, as the material was grainy and not smooth. Specifically, it was used to seal seams of countertops, around hot and cold wells, and counter profiling.
Item 27Countertops
Countertop grout was soiled with more than a day's accumulation of food residue throughout many food outlets including working sides of lido buffet lines, Teppanyaki show galley, and Guy's Burger.
Food storage (provisions)5 findings
Item 18Deck 0 - Dairy Room 17
A box of shell eggs was stored crushed with torn side walls; all eggs inside were cracked. The box of eggs was discarded.
Item 19Deck 0 - Dairy Room 17
A box of shell eggs was stored crushed with torn side walls; all eggs inside were cracked. The box of eggs was discarded.
Item 19Deck 0 - Room 9 Frozen Miscellaneous
A box of salami, bread, and vegetarian items were stored unprotected due to damaged containers. The food inside the boxes was contaminated with ice and debris from the boxes above. The boxes of food items were discarded.
Item 20Deck 0 - Potato Preparation
The food-contact surfaces of two potato peeler drums were soiled with food debris and silicone peeled at the exit door gasket area.
Item 26Deck 0 - Potato Preparation
The food-contact surfaces of two potato peeler drums were soiled with food debris and silicone peeled at the exit door gasket area.
Pantries1 finding
Item 26Deck 3 - Lobby Bar
The ice machine was soiled with black residue on the water arm and above the ice thickness sensor.
Housekeeping1 finding
Item 41Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) Cabin Cleaning
On 10 January 2026 there was no record of daily cleaning for an isolated passenger's cabin. Crew stated the passenger declined cleaning but there were no comments in the log to confirm.
Pools, hot tubs and water play areas1 finding
Item 10Deck 10 - Midship Aft Pool
Excessive granular sediment accumulated in the corners of the pool and a film accumulated on the surface of the water.
September 13, 2025
98Passed
45 findings · 2 points deducted
Points deducted (100 − 2 = 98):
−1 ptItem 21: Nonfood-contact surfaces designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located
All 45 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)19 findings
Item 08Deck 10 - Hot Galley - Tilting Pans
The testable backflow prevention assembly for the hood washing system was steadily dripping water from the atmospheric vent indicating possible malfunction. This was corrected.
Item 20Deck 3 - Pastry
The gaskets were torn and frayed inside the convection oven.
Item 21Deck 10 - Guy's Burger - Show Galley
The protective plastic coating on one of the heat lamps on the worker side of the front counter was peeling.
Item 21Deck 3 - Warewash (Aft / Port)
The undercounter doors below the scrapping table did not close below the overhead spray arms.
Item 21Deck 10 - Blue Iguana Beverage Station
Water leaked from the underside of the top combination oven and pooled on the top surface of the lower combination oven.
Item 22Deck 3 - Warewash (Aft / Port)
The fan coil and cables in the flight-type dishwash machine were soiled with more than one day's accumulation of grease and dust.
Item 22Deck 0 - Warewash
The upper, right auxiliary rinse spray nozzle of the flight-type dishwash machine did not produce an effective spray pattern.
Item 22Deck 3 - Warewash (Aft / Port)
All upper final sanitizing rinse spray nozzles of the rack-type glasswash machine emitted little water and did not produce an effective spray pattern. Technicians determined the spray arm's O-ring was cracked and the ring was quickly replaced.
Item 22Deck 3 - Potwash
Water in the wash, rinse, and sanitizing compartments of the flight-type potwash machine was soiled brown. The machine was in operation during the inspection.
Item 26Deck 3 - Hot Galley
The flat grills were soiled with liquid dripping from the deckhead exhaust panels.
Item 26Deck 10 - Dishwash
Four previously cleaned and sanitized bowls were soiled with food residue.
Item 27Deck 3 - Bakery
The manufacturer's label on the front of the dough divider was soiled with a sticky substance.
Item 33Deck 3 - Hot Galley
Liquid dripped from the deckhead exhaust panels above the flat grills onto the grill surface.
Item 33Deck 10 - Sanitation Lift
Food debris of more than a day's accumulation was in the recessed deck tracks of the sanitation lift. This was cleaned during the inspection.
Item 33Deck 10 - Blue Iguana Beverage Station
Condensate collected on the deckhead above the double stacked combination ovens. No dripping was observed.
Item 36Deck 10 - Guy's Burger - Show Galley
The protective plastic coating on one of the heat lamps on the worker side of the front counter was peeling.
Item 36Deck 3 - Pastry
The light intensity measured less than 220 lux at the handwashing facility next to walk-in refrigerator #30.
Item 36Deck 2 - Family Harbor
The light intensity measured less than 220 lux at the handwashing facility in the pantry.
Item 37Deck 10 - Blue Iguana Beverage Station
Condensate collected on the deckhead above the double stacked combination ovens.
Food safety, general4 findings
Item 21Countertops
Countertops were in disrepair throughout many food outlets. Specifically, coving at the counter/bulkhead junctures, grout and silicone around the perimeter of cold wells and hot wells, recessed soup wells, and counter profiling at handwashing stations. These outlets included: working sides of all the lido buffet counters, Guy's Burger show galley, and Bonsai Sushi show galley.
Item 27Countertops
Countertops were soiled with more than a day’s accumulation of old food soil and debris in areas of disrepair throughout many food outlets. These outlets included: working sides of all the lido buffet counters, Guy's Burger show galley, and Bonsai Sushi show galley.
Item 33Decks
The deck tile grout along the scuppers and perimeter of the galley was broken or recessed. This was primarily in the warewash areas and hot galley.
Item 33Decks
The deck grout was missing or recessed in multiple food areas. This included around steel platforms and throughout the lido galley and buffet stations, Guy's Burger galley, and Bonsai galley.
Buffets10 findings
Item 12Deck 10 - Forward Omelet Station
A crew member's thumb was observed touching pooled raw egg inside of a white bowl when they were portioning egg onto a cooking skillet. The crew member subsequently handled a spatula, a clean bowl, and the cook-top temperature dial without changing their gloves and washing their hands. Staff intervened and instructed the crew member to change their gloves and wash their hands after handling the raw eggs in bowls.
Item 17Deck 10 - Forward Buffet
Two hot buffet lines were listed on the time control plan as '6' and '7'; however, these buffet lines were not labeled with numbers. This was corrected during the inspection.
Item 18Deck 10 - Forward Omelet Station
A crew member's thumb was observed touching pooled raw egg inside of a white bowl when they were portioning egg onto a cooking skillet. The crew member subsequently handled a spatula, a clean bowl, and the cook-top temperature dial without changing their gloves and washing their hands. Staff intervened and instructed the crew member to change their gloves and wash their hands after handling the raw eggs in bowls.
Item 20Deck 10 - Aft Starboard Beverage Station
The underside nozzle dispensing surface of the hot chocolate machine was chipped and in disrepair. Additionally, the surface had open holes and other difficult to clean features.
Item 21Deck 10 - Blue Iguana Beverage Station
Excessive silicone was on the counter at the front left leg of the juice machine.
Item 26Deck 2 - Family Harbor
The ice dispenser's activator arm was soiled with debris along the top ledge.
Item 26Deck 10 - Aft Starboard Beverage Station
Black slimy residue was on the inside of the ice/water machine's ice chute and ice chute housing.
Item 29Deck 10 - Forward Omelet Station
Two soiled plates were staged on the counter in front of the right handwashing facility, impeding users from easily accessing the sink.
Item 30Deck 2 - Family Harbor
The passenger automatic handwashing station at the buffet was not working. The area was not in operation during the inspection. This was immediately corrected.
Item 33Deck 10 - Deli Station
The decorative laminate bulkhead panels throughout this area were in disrepair and peeling from the bulkhead making it difficult to clean.
Bars4 findings
Item 21Deck 5 - Pig and Anchor Brewhouse
The left undercounter cabinet door hinge was loose below the counter telephone.
Item 27Deck 5 - Ocean Plaza
Sticky food residue was on the underside of a storage shelf and adjacent bulkhead below and behind the coffee machine.
Item 36Deck 5 - Ocean Plaza
The light intensity at the back bar bottle storage shelving could not be raised to 220 lux for cleaning.
Item 39Deck 5 - Ocean Plaza
Three fruit flies were observed throughout this outlet: one behind the coffee station, one at the handwashing station, and one at the back beverage counter.
Food storage (provisions)4 findings
Item 15Oyster Tags
Six tags for raw oysters did not identify the location where the oysters were served. Crew stated oysters are served at both the Seafood Shack and Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse. Tags provided to the inspector were stored in a shared binder, but the service locations were not indicated.
Item 27Deck 0 - Room 9 Frozen Miscellaneous
Ice build-up was on the front of the evaporator condenser.
Item 33Deck 0 - Room 8 Meat Freezer
Condensate and ice were on the outside door frame and on the bulkhead to the left and right of the door.
Item 37Deck 0 - Room 8 Meat Freezer
Condensate and ice were on the outside door frame and on the bulkhead to the left and right of the door.
Food preparation rooms2 findings
Item 26Deck 0
Approximately seven previously cleaned and sanitized white plastic bins were soiled with food debris on the food-contact surface.
Item 27Deck 0
Approximately seven previously cleaned and sanitized white plastic bins were soiled with food debris on the nonfood contact surface.
Children’s areas1 finding
Item 44Disinfectant Use
When explaining disinfecting procedures of hard non-porous surfaces, a staff member was not aware of the proper contact time of the disinfectant being used. The staff member stated they sprayed the surfaces with disinfectant and immediately wiped off.
The Excel version of the AGE surveillance log did not include a 'Comments or Notes' column. (VSP 2025 Environmental Public Health Standards)
To see this report on the CDC site: open the CDC inspection search, choose Carnival Horizon 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.)
