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Federal Cruiseship Sanitation Inspection

Reports for Vessels Sailing in Alaska

Ever wonder, as you plan a sea-going vacation, just how spick, span and sanitary things really are beneath the shining bright exterior of the cruiseships sailing the seas these days? Well, concerning each cruise vessel that calls at U.S. ports you can get the unabashed lowdown - in the form of twice-yearly federal cruiseship sanitation inspection reports.These inspections include ships sailing in Alaska. You will find this info at the VSP (for “Vessel Sanitation Program”) web site posted and updated continuously by the Centers for Disease Control (see below).

For the CDC's current “Green Sheet” report of inspections click here. Scores of 86 or above are  considered "satisfactory." Scores 85 or lower are considered "unsatisfactory." At any given time only a half dozen or so ships on the list are likely to have earned perfect "100" scores. A similar number are frequently reported in the unsatisfactory range.
 
Here is the CDC’s description of the program:

Every vessel that has a foreign itinerary, carries 13 or more passengers, and calls on a U.S. Port is subject to un-announced twice-yearly inspections and, when necessary, to reinspection by VSP staff. The vessel owner pays a fee, based on tonnage, for all inspections. Currently, more than 175 cruise ships participate in the program.

The ships must meet the criteria established by VSP in the "Vessel Sanitation Program Operations Manual". The ship is given a score based on a 100 point scale. To pass the inspection, a ship must score 86 or above. If the ship fails an inspection, it will be re-inspected, usually within 30 to 45 days.

The inspection focuses on the following:

• The ship's water supply -- to determine how  water is stored, distributed, protected, and disinfected.
• The ship's spas and pools -- to ensure adequate  filtration and disinfection.
• The ship's food -- to determine how it is  protected during storage, preparation, and service.
• The potential for contamination of food and  water -- to determine what interventions are needed for  protection.
• The practices and personal hygiene of  employees -- to ensure cleanliness and the use of  appropriate hygienic practices.
• The general cleanliness and physical  condition of the ship -- to ensure cleanliness and the  absence of insects and rodents.
• The ship's training programs in general  environmental and public health practices -- to determine  the scope and effectiveness of such training.
  

In general, the lower the score, the lower the level of sanitation; however, says the CDC, a low score does not necessarily imply an imminent risk for gastrointestinal disease. Since the program began, the number of disease outbreaks on ships has declined despite significant growth in the number of ships sailing and the number of passengers carried.