Key points
- Traveling on cruise ships exposes people to new environments and high volumes of people, including other travelers.
- This exposure can create the risk for illness from contaminated food, or water or, more commonly, through person-to-person contact.
- CDC helps the cruise ship industry prevent and control public health issues on cruise ships.
Information for passengers
CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP)A helps the cruise industry prevent and control public health issues. We also provide information for passengers:
- Tips on healthy cruising, including what to do if you get sick onboard
- Cruise ship inspection scores and reports, including violations and recommendations to address them
- Information on outbreaks we investigate
- Information about the eight areas we inspect aboard cruise ships
Did you know?
How we help prevent and control illnesses
Sick people can spread gastrointestinal illnesses to others through food and water and by touching handrails, elevator buttons, shared utensils, and other people. Other public health issues on cruise ships can include controlling Legionella, managing pests and insects, and ensuring clean air and water.
VSP helps the cruise industry prevent and control the spread of illnesses by:
- Inspecting cruise ships to determine how well ships are operating and maintaining public health standards in eight major areas
- Monitoring data on illnesses and investigating and responding to outbreaks
- Reviewing ship design and construction plans for compliance with public health standards in five general areas
- Training cruise ship leaders, staff, and designers on public health practices
- Building the evidence base for environmental public health practices on cruise ships
CDC also tracks other issues on cruise ships. Learn more about other common health concerns during cruise travel and what you can do to prevent illness.
Contact us
Media inquiries: Email our media team.
Public inquiries: Visit CDC-INFO or call (800) 323-2132.
Mailing address: Vessel Sanitation Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, S106-6, Atlanta, GA 30341
What you can do
Learn more about how VSP is addressing illness.
Get travel advice for specific destinations.
Resources
Inspection scores for specific ships
Outbreak information for specific ships
Tips for healthy cruising
- VSP operates under the authority of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Section 264 Quarantine and Inspection Regulations to Control Communicable Diseases). Cruise ships under VSP jurisdiction carry 13 or more passengers and have a foreign itinerary with U.S. ports.
- Cruise Lines International Association