NEWS: CDC Issues Perfect Sanitation Score to Disney Cruise Ships

Disney Cruise Line has received a major accolade…at a perfect time.

Disney Treasure

In recent weeks, cruise industry observers have been dismayed to see the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report on three separate instances of norovirus outbreaks on three different ships in December, part of a wider 2024 trend that saw at least 13 such outbreaks. These concerns make cleanliness all the more paramount, making the CDC’s list of ship sanitation scores a must-read for those considering a cruise.

Over the course of 2024, the CDC conducted 151 inspections (including 23 repeat inspections), which saw over 25 ships receive perfect scores, indicating a flawless sanitary performance.

©CDC

The Disney Cruise Line specifically performed particularly well, earning two 100 scores on respective inspections of the Disney Fantasy in January and the Disney Wish in November. Overall, the line’s ships were inspected 7 times, with no score lower than 95 (which is the industry average according to the CDC).

©CDC

According to the CDC, Norovirus — which “causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines” — can be “especially challenging to control on cruise ships because of the close living quarters, shared dining areas and rapid turnover of passengers. When the ship docks, norovirus can be brought on board in contaminated food or water; or by passengers who were infected while ashore.”

If you’re heading on a cruise soon, we’d advise following some guidelines to try and minimize your risk of viral exposure. These include washing your hands (we know, it sounds like common sense, but it makes all the difference) and staying hydrated (however, avoid drinking the water from specific ports of call).

©Disney

Even in the midst of a year that saw over a dozen viral outbreaks across cruise ships, the Disney Cruise Line performed quite well on the CDC’s sanitary inspections! Stay tuned to AllEars for more on the cruise industry.