Saga Cruises · CDC inspection record

Spirit of Discovery CDC inspection score

Latest score, full inspection history and the violations CDC inspectors found on Spirit of Discovery.

  • Source: CDC public records
  • Data checked on October 31, 2026
  • Pass mark: 86 out of 100
  • Independent site, not the CDC
Saga CruisesInspected February 11, 2025

Latest CDC sanitation score

Passed

Spirit of Discovery scored 96 out of 100 in its latest CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspection, on February 11, 2025. It passed: ships pass with 86 or more.

−4 vs previous inspection (100, Oct 8, 2023)
98.0average of the last 2 inspections
96lowest score (February 2025)
2inspections since 2023
0failed inspections

No CDC inspection in over a year. Spirit of Discovery is on the CDC Green Sheet, but its latest published inspection is from February 11, 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 Spirit of Discovery

Every CDC inspection score on record for Spirit of Discovery: 2 inspections from October 8, 2023 to February 11, 2025, 1 perfect score of 100 and no failed inspections.

7580859095100Fail zone: 85 or lower202320242025Oct 8, 2023: 100Feb 11, 2025: 967580859095100Fail zone: 85 or lower202320242025Oct 8, 2023: 100Feb 11, 2025: 96

All scores

Inspection dateResultReportScore
February 11, 2025Passedfindings below96
October 8, 2023Passedfindings below100

What the inspectors found

The full findings of the last 2 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).

February 11, 2025

96Passed

32 findings · 4 points deducted

Points deducted (100 − 4 = 96):

  • −3 ptsItem 24: Sanitizing rinse temperature, concentration, time
  • −1 ptItem 33: Decks / bulkheads / deckheads construction, repair, clean

All 32 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)18 findings

  • Item 22Deck 5 - Warewashing Area

    The internal temperature measuring device for the flight-type warewash machine was out of calibration. The display panel showed temperatures of 212°F for the final rinse manifold water temperature. However, the inspector placed a maximum temperature 200°F thermal-sticker on the upper final rinse spray nozzles and the 200°F color change was not met after multiple attempts.

  • Item 22Deck 5 - Three-Compartment Sink

    The wash compartment was soiled with an oily film on the surface. The water was drained immediately.

  • Item 24Deck 5 - Three-Compartment Sink

    The final rinse compartment hot water sanitizing temperature was measured at 154°F to 156°F consistently. The area was in active usage with multiple pans being sanitized ineffectively.

  • Item 24Deck 5 - Warewashing Area

    The flight-type warewashing machine's manifold spray nozzle final rinse temperature measured between 196°F after multiple measurements using the inspector's and staff's temperature measuring device.The warewashing machine was is use at the time of the inspection and multiple utensils had been previously run through the machine.

  • Item 24Deck 12 - Warewashing Area

    The final rinse water temperature at the utensil surface of the rack-type dishwashing machine ranged between 154°F and 156°F while using the inspectors thermal couple measuring device with an accuracy of ±0.2°F. The machine was in service at the time of the inspection. Remediation began immediately.

  • Item 27Deck 6 - Steak House

    The hot water pipe insulation was heavily soiled and deteriorating in the technical space below the pressure cooker, making this area difficult to clean.

  • Item 28Deck 12 - Warewashing Area

    Twenty, previously cleaned and sanitized serving trays were stored wet nested.

  • Item 28Deck 12 - Warewashing Area

    Fifteen previously cleaned and sanitized food serving cups were stored wet nested.

  • Item 33Deck 12 - Warewashing Area

    The bulkhead adjacent to the drinking fountain was excessively wet. Water dripped from the bulkhead and pooled on the deck below.

  • Item 33Deck 12 - Warewashing Area

    An excessive amount of condensate collected on the bulkheads and deckhead around the flight-type dishwashing machine.

  • Item 33Deck 12 - Warewashing Area

    An excessive amount of condensate was collected on the deckhead and bulkheads around the rack-type dishwashing machine.

  • Item 33Deck 12 - Warewashing Area

    Water was pooled on the deck around the rack-type dishwashing machine. The source of the water could not be determined.

  • Item 33Deck 5 - Soup Station

    Water was pooled on the deck below the forward soup kettle. The source of the water was coming from the encased steam pipe in the undercounter technical area.

  • Item 33Deck 5 - Potwashing Area

    Water dripped from the deckhead above the soiled end of the potwash machine and pooled on the deck. The source of the water could not be identified.

  • Item 34Deck 5 - Soup Station

    Water pooled on the deck below the forward soup kettle. The source of the water was coming from the encased steam pipe in the undercounter technical area.

  • Item 34Deck 12 - Warewashing Area

    The bulkhead adjacent to the drinking fountain was excessively wet. Water dripped from the bulkhead and pooled on the deck below. Staff stated the water pressure valve for the drinking fountain was in disrepair.

  • Item 37Deck 12 - Warewashing Area

    An excessive amount of condensate collected on the deckhead and bulkheads around the rack-type dishwashing machine. Staff stated the exhaust pressure was insufficient.

  • Item 37Deck 12 - Warewashing Area

    Condensate collected on the bulkheads and deckhead around the flight-type dishwashing machine. Staff stated the exhaust pressure needed to be adjusted.

Bars4 findings

  • Item 27Deck 12 - Veranda - Outside Grill - Starboard Side/Aft

    The inside shelf area of the upright portable plate warmer cabinet was soiled with more than a day's worth of accumulated food debris.

  • Item 30Deck 3

    A box of tissues were displayed at the handwash station instead of paper towels. The inspector advised that using tissues was not an effective way to dry hands properly. A waste receptacle was not in the area as well.

  • Item 33Deck 12 - Veranda - Aft

    The back bar liquor bottle storage shelves had no coving at the 90-degree angle, preventing effective cleaning.

  • Item 33Deck 12 - Veranda - Outside Grill - Portside/Aft

    An excessive amount of oily residue was on the deckhead and between the fire curtain hood directly above the cooking station.

Other areas2 findings

  • Item 26Engine Control Room

    Coffee residue and old food debris was inside the mini fridge. The unit was immediately removed.

  • Item 33Engine Control Room

    The easily movable mini fridge was directly on carpet and food crumbs were encrusted in the carpet. The unit was immediately removed.

Buffets7 findings

  • Item 08Deck 12 - Grill Beverage Station - Starboard Side

    The backflow prevention device for the countertop coffee maker was in disrepair with blocked atmospheric vents.

  • Item 08Deck 12 - Beverage Station - Portside

    The backflow prevention device for the aft-most countertop coffee machine was in disrepair with the atmospheric vents blocked.

  • Item 19Deck 12 - Grill Hot Station - Portside

    A stack of serving plates were stored upright and unprotected at the entrance to the buffet line.

  • Item 19Deck 12 - Grill

    A serving utensil handle was resting inside a bowl of shredded cheese on the self-serve buffet line. Staff removed the bowl of cheese immediately.

  • Item 20Deck 12 - Grill Hot Station - Starboard Side

    The protective coating for the countertop heat lamp bulb was peeling making the bulb ineffective and difficult to clean.

  • Item 28Deck 12 - Beverage Station - Portside

    Ten previously cleaned and sanitized beverage glasses out for service were stored dripping wet on a countertop glass rack. Water from the inside food-contact areas of the glasses drained and pooled onto the top of the glass storage shelf.

  • Item 36Deck 12 - Grill Hot Station - Starboard Side

    The protective coating for the countertop heat lamp bulb was peeling making the bulb ineffective and difficult to clean.

Pantries1 finding

  • Item 29Deck 12 - Veranda - Aft

    The handwashing sink was blocked preventing access for use.

October 8, 2023

100Passed

9 findings · 0 points deducted

No points deducted.

Show all 9 findings

All 9 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.

Medical center2 findings

  • Item 02Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) Surveillance Log

    The AGE Surveillance Log for the voyage starting 26 September 2023 included the current crew and passenger counts instead of the totals at the beginning of the voyage. Staff stated the reportable numbers were being manually changed.

  • Item 11Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) Surveillance Log

    A food employee was working while symptomatic. The food employee had onset of AGE symptoms at 0800 on 30 September 2023 and began working at 0815. They had an additional episode around 1215, then returned to their cabin and reported to medical at 1242. A food risk assessment and appropriate corrective actions were documented.

Pantries2 findings

  • Item 22Deck 12 - Britannia Lounge

    The hood-type glasswash machine continuously leaked from a broken pipe on the bottom left side of the machine. The machine was not in service at the time of the observation and the crew fixed the leak before the end of the inspection.

  • Item 33Deck 12 - Britannia Lounge

    Water leaked from the hood-type glasswash machine and pooled on the deck. The crew started to clean the area immediately.

Drinking water2 findings

  • Item 08Cross-Connection Control Log

    Approximately 20 non-testable backflow prevention devices were inspected between 2-6 days after the required annual inspection date.

  • Item 08Disinfection Log

    Non-testable backflow prevention devices that were marked on the cross-connection control log as replaced during the 2023 inspection did not have documentation of disinfection, including concentration or contact time of the disinfectant. Staff did have a printed policy of disinfection and stated that they disinfect the backflow prevention devices prior to installation.

Galleys (kitchens)1 finding

  • Item 33Deck 5

    Deck tiles were pitted throughout the galley.

Food storage (provisions)1 finding

  • Item 33Deck 3 - Vegetable Storeroom

    Condensate on the deckhead slowly dripped onto the deck below. No food was impacted at the time of observation.

Pools, hot tubs and water play areas1 finding

  • Item 10Deck 12 Lido Pool

    Documentation from the shipyard for the custom/shipyard constructed drain cover fitting did not include the name of the vessel or the exact location of the recreational water facility for which it was designed.

To see this report on the CDC site: open the CDC inspection search, choose Spirit of Discovery 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.)

Other Saga Cruises ships

No other ships of this cruise line are in the CDC list.

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