Royal Caribbean International · CDC inspection record
Independence of the Seas CDC inspection score
Latest score, full inspection history and the violations CDC inspectors found on Independence of the Seas.
Source: CDC public records
Data checked on October 31, 2026
Pass mark: 86 out of 100
Independent site, not the CDC
Royal Caribbean InternationalInspected July 21, 2026
99out of 100
Latest CDC sanitation score
Passed
Independence of the Seas scored 99 out of 100 in its latest CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspection, on July 21, 2026. It passed: ships pass with 86 or more.
±0 vs previous inspection (99, Oct 30, 2025)
95.8average of the last 5 inspections
90lowest score (December 2017)
24inspections since 2008
0failed inspections
Inspection history of Independence of the Seas
Every CDC inspection score on record for Independence of the Seas: 24 inspections from December 7, 2008 to July 21, 2026, 4 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).
July 21, 2026
99Passed
29 findings · 1 point deducted
Points deducted (100 − 1 = 99):
−1 ptItem 21: Nonfood-contact surfaces designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located
All 29 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.
Buffets6 findings
Item 21Deck 5 - Staff Mess Center Buffet
The heating element panel above the heating plates sagged, creating difficult-to-clean gaps along its edge.
Item 21Deck 11 - Windjammer Aft Omelet Station
One deep fryer basket's silicone handle was cracked in multiple places, making it difficult to clean. The basket was discarded.
Item 21Deck 2 Beverage Station
The countertop left of the counter-mounted ice cream machine was rough due to welding residue. Additionally, the welding seam around the ice cream machine's support legs was rough, which created a difficult-to-clean surface.
Item 27Deck 11 - Windjammer Aft Omelet Station
A ball of greasy duct tape was in the hood wash door tracks above the griddle.
Item 33Deck 2 Beverage Station
The exposed water supply pipe for the ice cream machine was installed too close to the bulkhead, which prevented cleaning between the pipe and bulkhead.
Item 38Deck 11 - Windjammer Aft Omelet Station
A ball of greasy duct tape was in the hood wash door tracks above the griddle.
Bars4 findings
Item 20Deck 4 - Playmakers Bar
The plastic embedded inside one beer tap spout was in disrepair, making it difficult to clean.
Item 21Deck 11 - Windjammer Plaza Bar
The espresso machine was in disrepair and liquid slowly dripped from a leaking pipe into a cup on the countertop.
Item 21Deck 11 - Windjammer Plaza Bar
The espresso machine's counter-mounting plate had three unfilled fastener holes which were difficult to clean.
Item 33Deck 12 - Sky Lounge
The back bar open bottle storage shelves did not have coving along its corners.
Galleys (kitchens)6 findings
Item 16Deck 2
A block of cheddar cheese under time control and stored on the preparation counter was not labeled with the discard time. The outlet was open less than four hours.
Item 21Deck 3 Vegetable Station
The ventilation system’s access handles above the far right tilting kettle were in disrepair with one handle broken off and both handles had rough, white and green residue on them, which created difficult-to-clean surfaces.
Item 22Deck 4 Pot Wash
The data plate on the hood-type potwash machine was in disrepair and difficult to read. A new data plate was installed before the inspector left the galley.
Item 26Deck 11 - Chops Grille
The water dispenser spigot was soiled with an excessive amount of white, greasy residue.
Item 27Deck 3 Beverage Station
The previously cleaned and out of service espresso machine was soiled below the middle portafilter with a brown residue.
Item 27Deck 3 Vegetable Station
Both the ventilation system’s access handles above the far right tilting kettle were soiled with white and green residue on them.
Food preparation rooms1 finding
Item 21Deck 1
The hinge on the left side of the lettuce washer was rusted, which created multiple difficult-to-clean seams. The hinge was coated with a black sealant; however, the rust was still visible in areas.
Drinking water5 findings
Item 06Distant Point Analyzer Chart Recorder Records
The distant point analyzer chart record for 27 April 2026 identified 'the chart overlapped for 72 hours due to a position change.' Crew provided the electronic data recorded from 27 April until 30 April 2026 which identified the proper halogen residual was maintained in the distribution system; however, crew were unable to document daily calibration on 28 April and 29 April.
Item 06Heated Recreational Water Facility Legionella Sampling
Heated jetted tub #1640 was not sampled at least every three months between 11 October 2025 and 12 April 2026. Crew identified confusion regarding whether this facility was actually a heated jetted tub and did not collect samples inside this facility during the January 2026 round of sampling.
Item 08Tank Maintenance Record
The maintenance record for potable water tank #5S did not contain information that the appropriate drying and curing times were maintained following the 4 March 2026 interior coating application. The record identified the tank was painted on 4 March 2026, and the crew began refilling the tank with the potable water on 4 September 2025. Crew identified the tank refilling was incorrectly copied and pasted from a previous record.
Item 44Distant Point Analyzer Chart Recorder Records
The distant point analyzer chart record for 27 April 2026 identified 'the chart overlapped for 72 hours due to a position change.' Crew provided the electronic data recorded from 27 April until 30 April 2026 which identified the proper halogen residual was maintained in the distribution system; however, crew were unable to document daily calibration on 28 April and 29 April.
Item 44Heated Recreational Water Facility Legionella Sampling
Heated jetted tub #1640 was not sampled at least every three months between 11 October 2025 and 12 April 2026. Crew identified confusion regarding whether this facility was actually a heated jetted tub and did not collect samples inside this facility during the January 2026 round of sampling.
Pantries4 findings
Item 226 - Housekeeping 6.4.12
The external temperature gauge for the wash cycle was not maintained in proper calibration during two cycles of the undercounter dishwash machine. Using a calibrated thermocouple, the inspector measured the plate surface temperatures during two cycles at 155°F and 160°F, while the external gauge displayed respective wash temperatures of 150°F and 154°F.
Item 24Deck 5 - Star Lounge
The bucket of sanitizing solution measured greater than 200 ppm chlorine.
Item 26Deck 5 - Champagne Bar
One previously cleaned and sanitized glass was soiled with food residue.
Item 39Deck 12 - Sky Lounge
One small fly was near the pantry door.
Medical center1 finding
Item 44Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) Reporting
The medical team requested a password reset for the online AGE reporting portal on 10 July 2026 after a successful login to the portal on 6 July. The medical team additionally requested password resets on 28 May and again on 3 June. Medical staff are responsible for routine electronic report submission, including maintaining access credentials to the online AGE reporting portal, or knowledge of email report submission. The medical team and corporate offices have been instructed by VSP numerous times about the importance of maintaining login credentials and AGE reporting procedures.
Food storage (provisions)1 finding
Item 30Deck 0
Paper towels were not available at the handwashing station outside the food employee toilet room.
Pools, hot tubs and water play areas1 finding
Item 10Baby Only Recreational Water Facility (RWF)
The water depth in the landing for the slide inside the baby only RWF was not zero depth and exceeded the allotted 1.5 inches identified in the approved variance. Though crew drilled a draining penetration inside the basin of the slide landing to drain the landing to a depth below 1.5 inches, the water flow from the slide exceeded the capacity of drainage of the single drilled penetration. Crew initiated corrective action.
All 27 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.
Dining rooms4 findings
Item 26Deck 3 - Waiter Station 10
The three previously cleaned coffee carafes had old food residue. These were removed to be recleaned.
Item 33Deck 4 - Wine Cellar Walk-in Refrigerator
A gap was on the right side of the door where it connected to the bulkhead.
Item 33Deck 4 - Wine Cellar Walk-in Refrigerator
An open penetration was in the deckhead to the right of the condenser.
Item 39Deck 5
One fly was observed at waiter station 3.
Food storage (provisions)4 findings
Item 16Deck 2 - Crew Mess
The temperature of the left bulk milk dispenser was measured at 44°F by the inspector and 46°F by the staff member.
Item 29Deck 2 - Crew Galley
The handwashing station water temperature measured 124°F near the bain marie station. This was corrected immediately.
Item 33Deck 1 - Frozen Fish Room 40
The high fog deckhead spray cover was not flush with the deckhead.
Item 33Deck 1 - Frozen Meat Room 37
Frozen condensate was on the deckhead hatch. This was cleaned immediately.
Food preparation rooms3 findings
Item 24Deck 1
No chlorine residual was indicated when the inspector and the staff member tested the white sanitizing bucket. This was correct immediately.
Item 33Deck 1 - Beef Thawing Room
Heavy ice build up was on the bulkhead behind the condenser.
Item 33Deck 1 - Poultry Thawing Room
Black residue was on the white smoke detector 'G0103'. This was cleaned immediately.
Bars2 findings
Item 33Deck 14 - Viking Lounge
Five recessed lighting fixtures were not flushed to the deckhead above the bar counter and created difficult to clean areas.
Item 39Deck 5 - Champaign Bar
One fly in the technical space below the soda guns.
Galleys (kitchens)1 finding
Item 33Deck 2 - Pastry
The deck grouting was in disrepair around the steam kettles.
Buffets8 findings
Item 17Deck 11 - Wind Jammer - Plaza Bar
The discard time label for milk on the bar countertop did not match the time control plan. The label posted on the milk stated a discard time of 5:40 am - 9:40 am. The time control plan for the service area stated 5:30 am - 9:30 am. This was corrected immediately.
Item 20Deck 11 - Wind Jammer
The undercounter refrigerator at the port side salad station was out of order. Crew were aware and awaiting for the part to repair the unit.
Item 21Deck 11 - Wind Jammer
Two nonfood contact surface boards used to rest food platters on the serving line were chipped and cracked along the corners. The venue was in operation at time of inspection.
Item 21Deck 11 - Wind Jammer
The plexisglass sneeze guard on the island buffet line was cracked near a fastener.
Item 27Deck 11 - Wind Jammer
Heavy accumulation of debris located on the undercounter refrigerator door handle at the aft show galley.
Item 30Deck 11 - Wind Jammer
The hand washing station's paper towel dispenser at the port side toast line was empty. This was corrected immediately.
Item 36Deck 11 - Wind Jammer - Plaza Bar
The light intensity along the open shelving at the back bar did not reach the minimum of 220 lux.
Item 39Deck 11 - Windjammer
One small fly observed near the port side beverage station.
Other areas2 findings
Item 21Deck 14 - Crown Lounge
An open penetration was on the countertop underneath the table mounted coffee machine that was not adequately sealed. Food accumulated in and around the opening.
Item 39Deck 14 - Viking Crown Lounge Food Pantry
One small fly observed near the warewashing area.
Pantries2 findings
Item 20Deck 14 - Lounge Food Pantry
The ice machine deflector panel had a recessed area on the food splash zone where the fastener connected.
Item 36Deck 14 - Lounge Food Pantry
The light intensity along the bulkhead of the clean storage rack measured less than 220 lux.
Pools, hot tubs and water play areas1 finding
Item 44Deck 11 - Children Pool & Baby Only Facility
The children's pool interactive spray arm feature was directed towards the baby only facility and spraying directly inside. The children's pool operates halogen residual levels between 2-5 ppm and the baby only as 3-10 ppm. The area was not in operation.
October 14, 2024
97Passed
35 findings · 3 points deducted
Points deducted (100 − 3 = 97):
−2 ptsItem 28: Equipment / utensil / linen / single / service storage, handling, dispensed; Clean frequency
All 35 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.
Drinking water4 findings
Item 08Disinfection Records
The free residual halogen test results following disinfection were not documented in the log for two backflow prevention devices disinfected on October 7th, as well as for a section of pipe disinfected on July 25th.
Item 08Garbage Room
The potable water striping on the water line directed to the hand wash sink was painted over and not clearly marked.
Item 08Engine Room - Distribution
The potable water line before the reduced pressure zone assembly for pool filling in this room was not striped blue or blue/green/blue to indicate potable water.
Item 08Deck - 12 Slide Pump Room
The water line after the reduced pressure zone assembly for the compensation tank filling was striped blue/green/blue.
Buffets10 findings
Item 08Deck 11 - Windjammer Beverage Station Starboard Side Forward
The backflow prevention device for the counter mounted beverage dispenser was in disrepair with the atmospheric vents blocked.
Item 08Deck 11 - Windjammer Beverage Station Portside Forward
The backflow prevention device for the counter mounted coffee machine was in disrepair with the atmospheric vents blocked.
Item 20Deck 11 - Windjammer Beverage Station Starboard Side
A glue-like residue was on the plastic ice machine evaporator cover making it difficult to keep clean.
Item 21Deck 11 - Windjammer Beverage Station Starboard Side
The power cords for multiple counter mounted coffee machines were soiled with food residue. This was observed at multiple beverage stations.
Item 26Deck 11 - Windjammer Beverage Station Starboard Side
Black debris was resting inside the ice machine's ice thickness sensor.
Item 27Deck 11 - Windjammer Beverage Station Starboard Side
The power cords for multiple counter mounted coffee machines were soiled with food residue. This was observed at multiple beverage stations.
Item 27Deck 11 - Windjammer Beverage Station Starboard Side
The counter mounted ice machine's potable water line was dripping and pooling on the counter top.
Item 28Deck 11 - Windjammer Service Islands
At least six utensil holders full of knives, forks, and spoons were placed at multiple buffet service areas without protection. This area was open for service at the time of the inspection with multiple passengers accessing these utensils. The utensils holders were immediately removed.
Item 33Deck 11 - Windjammer Line "C"
The deckhead above the salad service area was soiled with a brown residue.
Item 34Deck 11 - Windjammer Beverage Station Starboard Side
The counter mounted ice machine's potable water line was dripping and pooling on the counter top.
Galleys (kitchens)11 findings
Item 13Deck 5 Dishwash
A crew member placed the final rinse curtains back into the machine without proper rewashing after setting them in the soiled area during the testing of the machine.
Item 14Deck 4 Bakery
A crew member was wearing a string bracelet while preparing dough. It was removed immediately.
Item 20Deck 3 Hot Galley
Two combination ovens have been out of service since July 2024.
Item 21Deck 4 Bakery
The gaskets for the proofing cabinets were ripped and out of place.
Item 22Deck 3 Flight-Type Dishwash
The final sanitizing rinse measured a plate surface temperature of 151°F with the inspector's thermocouple and crew's thermometer. However, the temperature gauge for the final rinse manifold displayed 214°F. When the crew measured the final sanitizing rinse directly from the spray arm nozzles it measured 184°F. It was unsure by crew why the plate surface temperature were out of range when evaluated as the spray pattern was effective. The machine's alarm was going off during active loading and was immediately shut down for maintenance. The adjacent flight-type unit was in good working order.
Item 24Deck 3 Flight-Type Dishwash
The final sanitizing rinse measured a plate surface temperature of 151°F with the inspector's thermocouple and crew's thermometer. However, the temperature gauge for the final rinse manifold displayed 214°F. When the crew measured the final sanitizing rinse directly from the spray arm nozzles it measured 184°F. It was unsure by crew why the plate surface temperature were out of range when evaluated as the spray pattern was effective. The machine's alarm was going off during active loading and was immediately shut down for maintenance. The adjacent flight-type unit was in good working order.
Item 33Deck 3 Hot Galley
Condensate collected on the deckhead above the soup kettles due to the low exhaust from the ventilation system. No food was impacted.
Item 33Deck 3 Hot Galley
Water was leaking from the deckhead near the combination ovens and pooled on the deck below.
Item 33Food Transportation Lift
Dust soiled the deckhead of Service Lift #2.
Item 36Deck 3 Hot Galley
The deckhead light cover above the grills was cracked.
Item 37Deck 3 Hot Galley
Condensate collected on the deckhead above the soup kettles due to the low exhaust from the ventilation system. No food was impacted.
Bars6 findings
Item 19Deck 12 - Fuel
The counter recessed ice bin was heavily rusted on the inside food contact surface.
Item 20Deck 12 - Fuel
The counter recessed ice bin was heavily rusted and corroded on the inside food contact surface.
Item 21Deck 12 - Fuel
Multiple plastic adhesive stickers were fastened to the bulkhead below the handwashing sink making this area difficult to clean.
Item 26Deck 12 - Fuel
The counter recessed ice bin was heavily soiled on the inside food contact surface.
Item 29Deck 12 - Fuel
The temperature of the handwashing sink never reached the minimum temperature of 100°F.
Item 33Deck 12 - Fuel
The deck area in all under counter technical spaces was heavily soiled with a white-chalky material.
Food preparation rooms2 findings
Item 30Preparation Room
The handwashing sink's faucet knob was chipped and created a sharp edge.
Item 33Thawing Room
Ice buildup was on the bulkhead of the thawing room.
Other areas1 finding
Item 29Deck 5 - Promenade - Sugar Beach
The temperature of the handwashing sink never reached the minimum temperature of 100°F.
Pools, hot tubs and water play areas1 finding
Item 44Baby Only - Slide
The slide run out maintained approximately 2-3 inches of water while in operation. This catch basin was about 4 feet long. There was a drain hole in the side of the basin to prevent standing water, however, it was not effective at maintaining 0 to 1.5' depth as specified in the variance.
To see this report on the CDC site: open the CDC inspection search, choose Independence of the Seas 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.)
