At a glance
Public health professionals: Learn how we address public health issues on cruise ships. Key activities include inspecting cruise ships, reviewing construction plans, monitoring illness and responding to outbreaks, and training cruise ship employees.
How we work
VSP helps the cruise industry address public health issues on cruise ships. We do this by:
- Inspecting cruise ships to determine how well ships are operating and maintaining public health standards in eight major areas
- Reviewing ship design and construction plans for compliance with public health standards in five general areas
- Monitoring data on illnesses and investigating and responding to outbreaks
- Training cruise ship leaders, staff, and designers on public health practices
- Building the evidence base for environmental public health practice on cruise ships
Public health on cruise ships
Cruising is popular. Every year, millions of people take cruises to and from U.S. ports. Cruise ships have large numbers of people in a confined space. Traveling on cruise ships exposes people to new environments and high volumes of people, including other travelers. This can make it easier for illnesses to spread, whether from contaminated food or water or, more commonly, person to person. For example, sick people can spread illness through food and water and by touching handrails, elevator buttons, shared utensils, and other people.
To protect public health, VSP evaluates:
- Food safety practices to prevent foodborne illness and outbreaks
- Processes and procedures to ensure the quality and safety of water used for drinking, preparing food, bathing, and swimming
- HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality
- Cleaning practices for cabins, common areas, and childcare centers to remove germs and sanitize surfaces
- Pesticide use and other strategies to manage insects and pests that can carry disease
- Medical center procedures for handling sick passengers and crew members
- Equipment and layout in food areas, water systems, and other areas to allow for easy cleaning
CDC also provides guidance for additional illnesses, including illness and fatality reporting.
Public health standards
We use the public health standards in the current version of the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) Operations Manual. We base our criteria primarily on standards in the Food and Drug Administration's Food Code and the World Health Organization's Guide to Ship Sanitation.
We periodically update the VSP Operations Manual to reflect new technologies, current food science, disease patterns and trends, and emerging pathogens.
Learn more about VSP's history and mission.
Inspection fees
Cruise ship owners pay a fee for inspections based on the ship's size. The fee schedule is posted in the Federal Register. Learn more about fees for public health operational inspections and construction inspections and equipment reviews.