CDC Reports on Cleanliness of Cruise Lines Amid Norovirus Outbreaks
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released data evaluating the cleanliness of cruise lines, highlighting both the cleanest and those with the highest number of norovirus outbreaks. Viking Ocean, Viking Expedition, and Crystal Cruises were identified as the cleanest, each scoring an average of 99 out of 100. Despite high cleanliness scores, the cruise industry saw a 28% increase in illness outbreaks in 2025 compared to the previous year, with norovirus responsible for 74% of these incidents. The CDC's inspections, which rank ships on a 100-point scale, revealed that while many cruise lines maintain high hygiene standards, the close quarters of ships make them susceptible to rapid virus spread.