The Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assists the cruise ship industry to prevent and control the introduction, transmission, and spread of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses on cruise ships. VSP operates under the authority of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Section 264 Quarantine and Inspection Regulations to Control Communicable Diseases).
VSP accomplishes this mission by:
- Inspecting cruise ships, including both periodic, unannounced operational sanitation inspections and scheduled construction inspections;
- Monitoring gastrointestinal illnesses and investigating or responding to outbreaks;
- Training cruise ship employees on public health practices;
- Providing health education and reliable and current public health information to the cruise ship industry, the traveling public, public health professionals, state and local health authorities, and the media.
Which Cruise Ships Are in VSP's Jurisdiction?
Cruise ships under VSP jurisdiction:
- Carry 13 or more passengers, and
- Have a foreign itinerary with U.S. ports.
How Does VSP Operate?
The program operates by the public health standards that can be found in the VSP Operations Manual Adobe PDF file [PDF - 1.74 MB]. These criteria target the control and prevention of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships and are primarily based on standards found in the FDA Food Code and the World Health Organization’s Guide to Ship Sanitation. The VSP Operations Manual is periodically updated to reflect new technologies, current food science, disease patterns and trends, and emerging pathogens.
Cruise Ship Inspections and Ratings
VSP environmental health officers (EHOs) conduct twice-annual, unannounced sanitation inspections (called routine inspections) of cruise ships sailing from foreign to U.S. ports and carrying 13 or more passengers. These inspections, scored on the basis of a possible 100 points, evaluate sanitation performance in six major categories: disease reporting, potable-water maintenance and distribution, swimming pools and spas, food safety and handling, medical log maintenance and reporting, and environmental health practices (e.g., housekeeping, disinfection, maintenance of child activity centers). Significant violations identified during inspections result in a loss of points; minor violations are noted on the inspection report and may not result in point deductions (March 2008, Journal of Environmental Health -"Shipshape: Sanitation - Inspections on Cruise ships, 1990–2005, Vessel Sanitation Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention").
Cruise Ship Ratings
