Latest score, full inspection history and the violations CDC inspectors found on Viking Mars.
Source: CDC public records
Data checked on October 31, 2026
Pass mark: 86 out of 100
Independent site, not the CDC
VikingInspected December 30, 2025
93out of 100
Latest CDC sanitation score
Passed
Viking Mars scored 93 out of 100 in its latest CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspection, on December 30, 2025. It passed: ships pass with 86 or more.
−4 vs previous inspection (97, Sep 26, 2025)
96.0average of the last 3 inspections
93lowest score (December 2025)
3inspections since 2024
0failed inspections
Inspection history of Viking Mars
Every CDC inspection score on record for Viking Mars: 3 inspections from October 20, 2024 to December 30, 2025, 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 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.
Buffets8 findings
Item 20Deck 7 - World Café Starboard Side Pizza Station
A slotted fastener was installed on the inside food-splash zone of the pizza oven's bottom door.
Item 21Deck 7 - Mamsen's
The countertop was chipped near the edge of the cold well.
Item 21Deck 7 - Pool Grill
The undercounter refrigerator door panel below the salamander was in disrepair, with the top left edge peeling away and creating a difficult-to-clean crevice
Item 22Deck 7 - World Café Portside Cold Service Line
The bucket of sanitizing solution was cloudy. This was corrected immediately.
Item 24Deck 7 - World Café Starboard Side Beverage Station
The chlorine concentration of the sanitizing solution in a container stored below the coffee machine exceeded 200 mg/L (PPM). This was corrected immediately.
Item 26Deck 7 - World Café Starboard Side Beverage Station
The ice machine's dispensing chute was soiled with more than a day's worth of brown and pink residue.
Item 27Deck 7 - World Café Starboard Side Hot Line
The service line countertop backsplash below the display shelves was soiled with a sticky residue.
Item 33Deck 7 - World Café Portside Gelato Station
The bulkhead display shelves were soiled with more than a day's accumulation of dust.
Pantries6 findings
Item 084
White, difficult-to-clean fraying string was wrapped around the middle of the backflow prevention device supplying the ice machine, blocking the intermediate vents.
Item 17Deck 7 - Pool Grill
The undercounter hot cabinet was listed on the time control plan as a unit on time control; however, the physical label faded. Crew identified this cabinet was only used as a plate warmer.
Item 21Deck 7 - Pool Grill
The countertop edges were chipped and in disrepair, especially around the handwashing station, which created difficult-to-clean surfaces.
Item 224
When the inspector opened the undercounter warewashing machine, four small dishes were stacked and loaded into a rack in a manner that did not expose their food-contact surfaces to an unobstructed spray pattern. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 27Deck 7 - Aquavit
The top of the ice machine was soiled with more than a day's accumulation of dust.
Item 27Deck 7 - Pool Grill
The countertop was soiled with more than a day's accumulation of old food residue, especially around the chipped surfaces.
Galleys (kitchens)9 findings
Item 18Deck 7 - Mamsen's
A container of cold smoked salmon was stored above a container of ready-to-eat brined shrimp. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 22Deck 7 - World Café Warewashing Area
The rack-type warewashing machine was out of order during the inspection due to a leak. Technicians were working on the machine.
Item 22Deck 7 - World Café Warewashing Area
The in-use hood-type glasswashing machine’s wash temperature measured 126°F at the drain outlet and 141°F inside the machine after the full wash and sanitizing cycles. The machine’s temperature gauge identified a wash temperature of 131°F. The plate surface temperature measured 166°F, and the machine’s temperature gauge identified a final sanitizing rinse temperature of 194°F.
Item 22Deck 1 - Potwashing Area
The potwashing machine was out of order due to a cracked part on the upper spray arm. Crew were actively fixing the machine.
Item 23Deck 7 - World Café Warewashing Area
The in-use hood-type glasswashing machine’s wash temperature measured 126°F at the drain outlet and 141°F inside the machine after the full wash and sanitizing cycles. The machine’s temperature gauge identified a wash temperature of 131°F.
Item 30Deck 1
The female toilet room door was not self-closing.
Item 33Deck 1 - Ice Station
The deck was soiled with orange residue from a rusted carbonation canister for the sparkling water dispenser. Crew initiated corrective action.
Item 34Deck 1
Water pooled on the deck due to a blocked drain at the handwashing station near the Chef's Table entrance.
Item 35Deck 1
Water pooled on the deck due to a blocked drain at the handwashing station near the Chef's Table entrance.
Dining rooms3 findings
Item 21Deck 2 - The Restaurant Starboard Waiter Station, Forward
The middle undercounter cabinet door's handle was in disrepair and missing a fastener.
Item 27Deck 2 - The Restaurant Starboard Waiter Station, Aft
The top of the wine refrigerator was soiled with more than a day's accumulation of dust.
Item 33Deck 2 - The Restaurant Starboard Waiter Station, Forward
More than a day's accumulation of dust collected on the deck below the wine refrigerator.
Food safety, general2 findings
Item 13Kitchen Table Variance
Crew were unable to provide paper or electronic documentation confirming health screening against medical logs.
Item 20Out-of-Order Equipment
Numerous pieces of food service equipment were identified as out of order for greater than a month, including: Deck 2 - ice machine. Deck 1 - Main Galley: Left tilting kettle. Deck 1 - Main Galley: two ice machines (out of three total). Deck A - Crew Galley: combination oven. Deck A - Crew Galley: microwave. Crew was waiting on a shipment from Europe with spare parts, which was scheduled to arrive the day of the inspection.
Other areas2 findings
Item 19Deck B - Engine Workshop
Three, 20-count packages of bottled water were stored on a wooden pallet.
Item 21Deck B - Engine Workshop
Three, 20-count packages of bottled water were stored on a wooden pallet.
Bars1 finding
Item 27Deck 7 - Pool
More than a day's worth of yellow residue accumulated in the handle attachment penetrations of the previously cleaned and sanitized slushy machine.
Medical center2 findings
Item 0124-Hour Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) Report
The 24-hour report submitted prior to the 18 October 2025 arrival in Eastport, Maine identified the port of embarkation and the port of disembarkation as 'ADK' (Adak, Alaska). The actual port of embarkation was not in the US 'NUS,' and the port of disembarkation was Fort Lauderdale, FL 'PEV.'
The downloadable AGE surveillance log did not contain a field for 'additional comments/notes.' Crew identified a February 2026 software update will correct this. (New VSP 2025 Environmental Public Health Standard)
Drinking water2 findings
Item 08Deck A - Trash Room
Green corrosion accumulated over the intermediate atmospheric vents of the backflow prevention device near the deckhead.
Item 08Deck B - Compartment 6 Forward Evaporator
The water lines surrounding the dedicated technical water production evaporator were striped blue/gray/blue. These lines were not directed towards the potable water system. Crew initiated corrective action.
Food storage (provisions)1 finding
Item 19Deck A - Vegetable
Soaked boxes of cilantro were stored above an open box of whole peppers. Water dripped from the cilantro boxes onto the box of peppers. Crew stated the water was from ice used to store the cilantro during transit and that the ice is removed during provisioning. Crew immediately moved the boxes.
Pools, hot tubs and water play areas1 finding
Item 10Deck 1 - LIV Spa Whirlpool Spa
No bather load was posted on the safety sign at the entrance to the RWF. The sticker was faded with indistinguishable text. Crew initiated corrective action.
−1 ptItem 21: Nonfood-contact surfaces designed, constructed, maintained, installed, located
Show all 33 findings
All 33 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.
Buffets10 findings
Item 17Deck 7 - Port & Starboard Beverage Stations
The milk refrigerators for the counter-mounted espresso machines were not physically labeled to indicate they were under time control. The milk containers inside these machines were labeled with four-hour discard labels, and the units were listed on the posted time control plans. This was corrected during the inspection.
Item 21Deck 7 - Port & Starboard Beverage Stations
Open seams were present around the junctures of the countertops and the mounting legs of the ice/water machines. Food debris was observed in several of the open seams.
Item 21Deck 7 - World Cafe
Open seams and difficult-to-clean areas were present along sections of the working sides of buffet and show galley countertops. These included areas between counter sections and around hot and cold display wells where grout was missing or in poor repair. Food soil with more than a day’s accumulation was observed in some of these areas.
Item 21Deck 7 - World Cafe - Starboard Salad Station
Excessive grout was present along the passenger service side of the cold well, preventing the area from being easily cleaned. Food soil had accumulated in this area.
Item 21Deck 7 - Port Beverage Station
A beverage drain line inside the technical compartment below the water dispenser tap was not sloped to drain and water accumulated inside the drain line.
Item 21Deck 7 - Patio Grill
The working side of the right countertop was chipped along the edge.
Item 27Deck 7 - World Cafe
Open seams and difficult-to-clean areas were present along sections of the working sides of buffet and show galley countertops. These included areas between counter sections and around hot and cold display wells where grout was missing or in poor repair. Food soil with more than a day’s accumulation was observed in some of these areas.
Item 27Deck 7 - World Cafe - Starboard Salad Station
Excessive grout was present along the passenger service side of the cold well, preventing the area from being easily cleaned. Food soil had accumulated in this area.
Item 27Deck 7 - Port & Starboard Beverage Stations
Food debris was in open seams around the junctures of the countertops and mounting legs of the ice/water machines.
Item 33Deck 7 - Patio Grill
Deck grout was missing or recessed in several areas behind the cook station.
Galleys (kitchens)14 findings
Item 20Deck 1 - Pastry
Open recessed circular penetrations were present on the underside of the right dough mixer lid, located in the splash zone and difficult to clean.
Item 22Deck 1 - Dishwash
The glasswash machine had been out of service since the morning of the inspection.
Item 22Deck 1 - Dishwash
Water sprayed from the upper left auxiliary rinse spray arm where it connected to the manifold. The machine was in use at the time of the observation.
Item 22Deck 7 - Potwash
Excessive soiled pots and pans were stacked on the scrapping station of the three-compartment sink, hindering proper cleaning operations. Due to the accumulation of items, the crew member was scrapping and spraying soiled pots and pans in the wash compartment, which was already filled with cookware. Lettuce and other food debris were floating in the rinse compartment, and the wash compartment was also filled with soiled pots and pans.
Item 22Deck 7 - Potwash
Lettuce and other food debris were observed floating on the water surface in the rinse compartment.
Item 27Deck 7 - Show Galley
Greasy residue accumulated on the exhaust hood panel above the starboard side flat grill. No dripping was observed.
Item 28Deck 7 - Mamsen's - Dishwash
Previously cleaned and sanitized plates were not inverted on the clean storage racks.
Item 28Deck 1 - Dishwash
Previously cleaned and sanitized serving trays were stored upright on clean racks.
Item 28Deck 7 - Dishwash
Previously cleaned and sanitized plates and platters were stored upright in the clean storage racks. This was corrected.
Item 29Deck 7 - Mamsen's
The unisex crew restroom was out of service.
Item 33Deck 7 - World Cafe - Aft Food Lifts
Old food residue and general debris of more than a day's accumulation was inside the recessed deck track of the left food lift.
Item 33Deck A
Deck grout was missing or recessed throughout areas of the galley. Old food soil accumulated in the areas of recess.
Item 36Deck A
The deckhead light behind the combination oven was burnt out resulting in less than 110 lux of light.
Item 36Deck 7 - World Cafe - Aft Food Lifts
Light intensity at the drinking fountain to the left of the lifts did not reach 220 lux of light for cleaning.
Drinking water4 findings
Item 03Bunkering
Records indicated the halogen residual dropped below 2 ppm on 15 September 2025 for two and a half hours and on 6 September 2025 for one hour and 45 minutes.
Item 06Legionella
The Legionella sampling plan did not include deck-washing equipment during the last two shipwide sampling tests. (2025 Environmental Public Health Standards)
Item 06Production Analyzer-Chart Recorder Charts
The date was missing from one halogen analyzer chart from the month of September.
Item 08Bunkering
The coupling of the potable water bunkering hose touched the pier while the hose was being transferred from the ship to the pier.
Dining rooms1 finding
Item 28Deck 2 - The Restaurant
A waiter tray was stored on the deck next to the wine refrigerator at the starboard waiter station.
Food safety, general1 finding
Item 08Hood Cleaning Cabinets
The drain tubes from the atmospheric vents of the backflow prevention devices were directed into the cleaning chemical reservoirs instead of the designated drain line at the bottom of the cabinet. It appeared that all the drain tubes had been cut above the chemical reservoirs. This design prevents crew from observing when the device may be defective or leaking, as any dripping water would discharge directly into the chemical reservoirs.
The AGE surveillance log did not contain a notes column as specified in the VSP 2025 Environmental Public Health Standards. Currently, any notes are documented in the underlying illness column.
Food preparation rooms1 finding
Item 18Deck A
A tray of packaged raw bacon was stored above a container of whole tomatoes inside the reach in refrigerator.
Food storage (provisions)1 finding
Item 19Corridor
A pallet of packaged beer mini kegs was stored underneath an open deckhead with open ducting and cables. Additionally, a cloth tie down strap was stored on top of the beer kegs.
October 20, 2024
98Passed
16 findings · 2 points deducted
Points deducted (100 − 2 = 98):
−2 ptsItem 28: Equipment / utensil / linen / single / service storage, handling, dispensed; Clean frequency
Show all 16 findings
All 16 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.
Other areas1 finding
Item 28Deck 9 - Forward Locker
This room was not constructed for food equipment and utensil storage. Bulkheads were a soft material which was not easily cleanable. Cables and pipes were exposed on the deckhead and bulkheads. Numerous stacks of plates, ramekins, egg holders, mugs, and other food equipment were not wrapped in plastic or protected by other means. Only the sides of the stacks were wrapped, leaving the top of the stacks uncovered or the plastic was cut open.
Galleys (kitchens)9 findings
Item 20Potwash
The hood-type potwash machine had been out of order since 8 October 2024.
Item 20Potwash
The hood-type potwash machine had been out of service since 7 September 2024. Parts are expected to be delivered on 10 October 2024 did not arrive.
Item 20Hot Area
Upright freezer HS-4 had been out of service since the morning of the inspection.
Item 21World Cafe
The insulation material and duct tape around the booster steam pipe below the clean landing of the dishwash machine was in disrepair and not easily cleanable. Some of the ends were frayed and the duct tape was loose, exposing the sticky residue.
Item 26Hot Area
The previously cleaned and sanitized salamander across from freezer HS-4 was soiled on the food contact surface.
Item 26Hot Area
The previously cleaned and sanitized salamander next to the flat grill was soiled on the food contact surface. Staff stated this equipment had not been used for a while.
Item 33Dishwash
Condensate dripped onto the deck from the canopy exhaust overhang seam near the dishwash machine's wash tank.
Item 36Deck 7 - Chef's Table
The light intensity measured less than 220 lux at the handwashing station.
Item 37Dishwash
Condensate dripped onto the deck from the canopy exhaust overhang seam near the dishwash machine's wash tank.
Buffets2 findings
Item 19World Cafe (Portside)
A container of chips and a container of minute steak out for guest self-service did not have serving utensils.
Item 19World Cafe (Starboard)
A container of wiener schnitzel out for guest self-service did not have a serving utensil.
Food storage (provisions)2 findings
Item 13Cheese and Dairy Room
The person in charge of ensuring proper food temperatures during provisioning was not taking internal temperatures of shelled eggs. Only ambient temperatures of the delivery truck and of the boxes were obtained.
Item 19Spirit Store
A coat was stored on top of boxes of alcohol near the entrance to the room.
Drinking water1 finding
Item 08Bunker Station Hose Lockers (Portside/Starboard)
The 'potable water only' labeling on the bunker hoses was faded and not easily readable.
Food preparation rooms1 finding
Item 20Fish, Meat, and Poultry
Undercounter refrigerator B-2 had been out of order since the morning of the inspection.
To see this report on the CDC site: open the CDC inspection search, choose Viking Mars 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.)
Gastrointestinal illness outbreaks
The CDC posts an outbreak when 3% or more of passengers or crew report gastrointestinal symptoms to the ship’s medical staff on a voyage, and may also post other outbreaks of public health significance (CDC outbreak list). Outbreaks posted for Viking Mars since 2023:
