Inspectors found a dead bird with wriggling maggots on a grill on a major cruise ship, while other areas were infested with insects, it has been revealed.
A reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted the inspection results of most major cruise ships. While most met the required ‘satisfactory’ hygiene threshold of 85, one vessel did not.
The Hapag-Lloyd cruise ship, Hanseatic Inspiration, one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, received a low score of 62 out of 100 during its inspection at the end of September, falling short of the international standard.
During the CDC inspection of the boat multiple violations were recorded, including the discovery of the dead bird alongside maggots on one of the ship’s outdoor grills.
The inspection report stated: “The area under the outdoor grill was excessively soiled with water, debris, feathers, a dead bird, and maggots. The area was used the day prior to the inspection.”
Additionally, it noted that “pest management and monitoring was extremely insufficient,” resulting in a high incidence of pests in food areas, with inspectors finding both live and dead insects as well as a dead bird.
Other serious concerns raised were the absence of records for disinfection of the swimming pool’s hair and lint strainer for over two weeks and inadequate supervision of critical food processes.
Chaotic conditions were also reported in pot-washing operations, which failed to meet compliance standards.
Inspectors observed “live flies” in several areas, including the lido potwash clean storage rack and the cold sink at the pool bar.
Dead insects were discovered in food-related zones, and the ship was found lacking anti-rat guards on the mooring lines, essential for preventing rodents from boarding.
These guards were not in place when inspectors arrived at 8:30 AM, after the ship had docked the day before.
A spokesperson for Hapag-Lloyd said: “The health of both guests and crew has always been our top priority at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
“For years, we have consistently met strict hygiene standards well above the minimum requirements.”
The firm assured that the incident does not reflect the operational excellence of its fleet, adding: “We immediately addressed the deficiencies, thoroughly investigated the causes, and submitted a corrective report to the authorities. A working group of internal and external experts is overseeing and supporting the implementation of measures to ensure our high standards are maintained permanently.”
Five other cruise ships, including Caribbean Princess, Carnival Breeze, Evrima, Kydon, and MSC Magnifica, narrowly passed inspections with a score of 86 out of 100.
The cruise industry has also seen several disease outbreaks in 2024, including a salmonella incident on Radiance of the Seas in late September, affecting 8.29% of passengers.
P&O Cruises’ Arcadia also experienced a norovirus outbreak from September 3 to October 3, with 5.57% of passengers falling ill.
Other ships facing norovirus outbreaks this year include Celebrity Summit, Sapphire Princess, Radiance of the Seas, Koningsdam, Queen Victoria, and Celebrity Constellation.
One ship, Silver Nova, reported an E.coli outbreak that affected 28 of its 633 passengers.
The CDC, as the national public health agency of the US, plays a crucial role in protecting public health from threats both domestically and internationally, emphasizing the importance of stringent health standards in the cruise industry.