Carnival Cruise Line’s Fantasy received a failing grade following its most recent inspection in July. The detailed July 18 report issued by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) gave Fantasy a score of 77 out of 100. This report marks the worst inspection in Fantasy’s history, with a previous low of 78 being issued in 1990.
The CDC conducts these inspections as part of its Vessel Sanitation Program. Ships must receive at least an 85 to pass their inspection. Two other Carnival ships, Inspiration and Imagination were also inspected in July, with these ships receiving scores of 97 and 94 respectively.
The failing report cited brown shower water, film on pool water, and flies on bagels as reasons why the ship failed its inspection. Although the medical crew reported that the two shower hoses where the brown water was reported are ‘not used often,’ it is no excuse. There was not a reason given as to why the water was brown.
Other water issues that were reported included issues with chlorine levels on two of the water slides on the ship, as well as film on the water in the pools. The pools also had excessive visible debris floating on the water. The CDC reported that a crew member was using a net to manually skim the pool, which is not a thorough way to fix the problem.
The CDC also reported issues with Fantasy’s food service, including food displays not having adequate sneeze shields, flies around the food, and food temperature being too warm for safe consumption. The inspector also spotted soiled cutlery and reported that staff took cutlery that was considered not heavily soiled and used a cloth to wipe it clean. Many of the utensils that were heavily soiled were stored in a manner that they touched clean cutlery.
Now that Carnival has received a failed inspection, they must submit a corrective action statement before another inspection can occur, which will be without warning.
The Fantasy is based out of Mobile, Alabama, and cruises through the Caribbean, as well as the Panama Canal. The ship is currently in the middle of a five-day round-trip cruise to the western Caribbean. After that time, the ship is expected to return to Mobile on Saturday.
All cruise inspection reports and scores, as well as the corrective action statements that cruise lines submit after the inspection, are available at cdc.gov. The CDC charges the cost of its inspection to the cruise line based upon the size of the ship. If you are going on a cruise and want to see how well the ship did on its most recent inspection, you can easily search the database. The CDC failed five of Carnival Cruise Line, the world’s largest operator last year three of which occurred during the height of holiday travel: November and December.
There are some simple health tips passengers can follow to avoid getting sick on a cruise. The most important thing is to wash your hands; this is the No. 1 way to avoid illness on a cruise ship. Also, remember to drink plenty of water. Keeping yourself properly hydrated helps flush out toxins and keeps your immune system running at peak performance. If you see someone getting ill, you should leave the area immediately and report it to cruise staff if they have not already been notified.
INJURED ON A CRUISE SHIP OR CRUISE SHIP EXCURSION? SPEAK TO A CRUISE SHIP ACCIDENT LAWYER TODAY: 1-866-597-4529.
If you have been injured on your cruise, on a wet and slippery deck, down a poorly lit staircase or steep gangway, in port on an excursion, or on a tender boat- it is important that you speak as soon as possible with a lawyer who specializes in personal injury claims against cruise lines. Most cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, MSC, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Costa, Regents Seven Seas and Oceania require that claims against them be pursued in a very specific place under very strict deadlines. Failure to comply with each individual cruise lines deadlines can result in a complete loss of any and all legal rights.
Aronfeld Trial Lawyers is a personal injury firm located in Miami, Florida since 1991. We have fought hard to hold cruise lines accountable when they put their profits ahead of passenger safety. We are available 24/7 and encourage you to contact us even if you are still on your cruise. The sooner we can begin our investigation and preservation of key evidence, such as the CCTV footage of your trip and fall, slip and fall, assault or other type of injury the more likely we will be able to understand and prove how the incident occurred. Remember, the cruise lines have the most aggressive and well-funded defense lawyers in the world- protecting their profits. You need an experienced legal advocate in your corner who will fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for lost wages, medical expenses, transportation reimbursement and pain and suffering. Call us today and speak with a cruise ship claims lawyer about your potential claim- toll free 1-866-597-4529, 305-441-0440, or by email. We are ready to help.
Related Resources:
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article233737777.html
