In addition to all applicable flag state and international health requirements, CLIA member cruise ships that visit U.S. ports must abide by the rules and regulations of the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The VSP conducts regular and unannounced inspections to ensure cruise ships are in compliance with sanitation standards that are effective in mitigating illness aboard cruise ships. To pass an inspection, a ship must receive a score of 85 or higher. Many ships score even higher. In 2009, CLIA ships received an average Center for Disease Control sanitation score of just under 98. Scores are available to the public through the CDC Web site. The CDC also provides training to cruise ship crew on public health practices.
Every ocean-going cruise ship is subject to unannounced, twice-yearly inspections and, when necessary, to re-inspection by VSP staff. The comprehensive VSP inspections take five to eight hours to complete. Specifically, they inspect:
- Water supply
- Pools and spas
- Food storage, preparation and service
- Potential risks for contamination of food and water
- Employees’ practices and personal hygiene
- Cleanliness and physical condition of the ship
- Training programs
- Outbreak response protocol
- Ventilation hygiene
- Pest Control
- Child Care facility hygiene
Links:
- CDC Vessel Sanitation Program
Information about the CDC sanitation inspection