The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has released the reports from its most recent cruise ship inspections, most importantly the ones that have failed to meet cleanliness standards. The CDC conducts surprise inspections twice a year on ships that enter U.S. ports. They reported that eight ships did not meet their required standards while 14 ships earned perfect scores.
The inspectors look at various areas on the ship, including swimming pools, medical facilities, child activity centers, and dining areas. Inspectors grade the ships on a scale of 1 to 100. If a ship receives a score below 86, the CDC considers that a failing score.
Since these inspections are unannounced, cruise ships must be prepared for an inspection at any given time. The overall inspection can take anywhere between 8 to 10 hours as inspectors examine the following areas:
- The ship’s medical facilities;
- Dining areas and food preparation;
- The manner by which water is taken from source to storage;
- Any areas where recreational activities occur onboard;
- Food storage;
- Employee hygiene habits;
- Poolside inspections, including pH and halogen-based disinfectant levels;
- Child activity centers;
- The ship’s ventilation system; and
- Any other common areas, especially with respect to pest control management.
The ships that received scores under 86 and failed the cruise inspections included the Norwegian Breakaway, the Oceania Insignia, and two different ships from Silversea Cruises, including the Silver Spirit and Silver Wind, among others.
The lowest scoring ship, receiving a score of 76, was the Japan Cruise Lines’ Pacific Venus. The CDC found water storage levels and food storage were not up to code. The two Silversea Cruise ships both scoring 79 were found to have fruit flies in the food and beverage areas and food being stored at an unsafe temperature.
While eight ships received low scores, 14 received perfect scores for their cleanliness including Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas and Disney Cruise Lines’ Disney Wonder and Disney Fantasy, as well as Celebrity Summit, Norwegian Gem, Viking Star (Viking Ocean Cruises), Aurora (P&O Cruises), Sea Princess (Princess Cruises) and Aidavita (Aida Cruises).
The CDC posts a listing of all inspection reports and scores, as well as the corrective action statements given to the cruise lines after the inspection, at www.cdc.gov. If you plan on taking a cruise in the near future and would like to see how well your ship did on its most recent inspection, we encourage you to explore the CDC database. We also have some important health tips for cruise ship passengers on our firm’s blog.
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.
Source:
