Millions of people board cruise ships each year seeking relaxation, but some vessels are hiding filthy secrets below deck. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts regular inspections of ships to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
The agency has failed only one cruise ship this year so far, the Norwegian Dawn operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines. The inspection, conducted on March 29, 2026, ended with the ship receiving an 84 score. The CDC rates ships on a 100-point scale for hygiene and sanitation, with anything below 85 considered a failure.
Active Contamination and Unsafe Food Handling
Norwegian Dawn failed its inspection for active contamination and unsafe food handling happening in real time, which could have led to illnesses aboard. The report comes as a hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius killed three people and sickened at least seven. The vessel is currently stranded off the coast of Cape Verde in the Atlantic, barred from docking amid escalating public health concerns.
The World Health Organization suggested on Tuesday that the outbreak on the MV Hondius may have spread between passengers. Human-to-human transmission of hantavirus is extremely rare. It is typically spread when humans inhale particles from the dried droppings of infected rodents or are bitten or scratched by the animals.
While the CDC found no indication of rodents on the Norwegian Dawn during the inspection, the agency reported the ship's pest control appeared lacking. The report states that flies were actively landing on food while it was being served. In some cases, contaminated food was only removed after inspectors pointed it out.
Sanitation Failures and Pest Issues
The inspectors noted flies at the Buffet-Deck 5 Crew Mess, writing: 'The area was wet and flies were noted in this area.' 'Two fruit flies were present at the buffet line during lunch service. One fly was resting on bread,' the report added.
One of the most alarming findings was the ship’s failure to properly track and report illness outbreaks. No gastroenteritis surveillance logs were maintained, and medical staff were unfamiliar with key reporting requirements, meaning cases of vomiting or diarrhea could go unmonitored and potentially spread onboard.
The cruise ship faced a health scare in February 2024 after a number of passengers fell ill with gastrointestinal symptoms, prompting onboard isolation measures for around 15 people. The ship’s arrival in Mauritius was delayed as officials carried out testing over fears of a possible cholera outbreak. Authorities later confirmed that no cases of cholera were found, allowing the ship to dock.
Critical Food Safety Violations
Inspectors found critical food safety failures, including refrigerators operating above safe temperatures and large amounts of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and butter, kept too warm. Poor storage practices and crew leaving refrigerator doors open made matters worse, creating ideal conditions for dangerous bacteria such as Listeria and Salmonella to grow.
Black debris was also discovered on food and inside ice machines, fruit flies were seen landing on meals during service, and even hair was found in a coffee urn. 'Several food service violations with critical public health risks were identified during the inspection that were not identified through managerial monitoring and controls,' inspectors noted.
In one case, an unknown liquid was reported dripping from the ceiling into food preparation areas, an issue inspectors consider an immediate public health risk. The ship's equipment was also found to be in unsanitary condition, particularly ice machines coated with black and pink buildup, likely mold or bacteria. Because ice is consumed directly, this presents an added danger to passengers.
Water Safety and Sanitation Concerns
Inspectors also flagged serious water safety risks, noting that backflow prevention systems, designed to keep contaminated water out of clean supplies, were broken, blocked, or completely nonfunctional. Across the ship, sanitation standards were poor, with mold-like buildup, standing water, rusted utensils, and dirty cleaning equipment found in food areas.
Norwegian Dawn told inspectors it immediately cleaned and sanitized affected areas, discarded unsafe food and repaired faulty equipment following the failed inspection. The Daily Mail has contacted Norwegian Cruise Lines for comment.
