A recent study by Squaremouth Travel Insurance has provided insights into the cleanliness of cruise lines for the year 2025, primarily using data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report examines sanitation scores assigned to cruise ships during the CDC’s annual health and hygiene inspections, highlighting which fleets excelled and which fell short in cleanliness.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Crystal-Cruises-030626-5b35f38743e7450d88dc044a3435db0e.jpg)
According to the findings, Viking Ocean Cruises II Ltd., Viking Expedition Operations, and Crystal Cruises share the honour of being the cleanest cruise lines, each achieving an impressive average score of 99 out of 100. This marks a strong performance for these companies, indicating a commitment to high hygiene standards across their fleets.
The report further identifies Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Japan Grace, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International as members of the top ten cleanest cruise lines, with all listed scores exceeding a minimum threshold of 97.12. Under the CDC’s scoring criteria, vessels closer to a score of 100 demonstrate better sanitation practices, whereas those below 85 fail inspection.
Notably, the study indicated a potential trend where cruise lines operating larger fleets tend to score slightly lower than their smaller fleet counterparts. However, Viking stands out as a significant exception, with two of its brands leading the rankings. Interestingly, the age of a vessel did not seem to negatively impact cleanliness; for instance, Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas, launched 25 years ago in 2001, scored a perfect 100 in sanitation.
In terms of cruise corporations, Viking, Virgin, and Norwegian ranked at the top for their average sanitation scores, which were 98.75, 97.67, and 97.39, respectively. Disney secured the fourth position with an average score of 97, while Royal Caribbean and Carnival followed closely, scoring 96.74 and 94.82, respectively.
The report also reveals a concerning trend observed from the previous year. In 2024, only one cruise ship, Villa Vie Odyssey, failed sanitation inspection, scoring below the critical threshold of 85. This luxury vessel, which offers a three-year residential experience for passengers at a steep price, was flagged for serious sanitation issues, including inadequate chlorine levels in its drinking water, food safety hazards, pest problems, and dangerous pool drainage systems.
In addition to Villa Vie Odyssey, three other ships narrowly passed their sanitation inspections: Victory I, operated by Victory Cruise Lines, Carnival Pride managed by Carnival Cruise Lines, and Stad Amsterdam run by Rederij Clipper Stad Amsterdam. Each of these vessels received a score of 86, indicating that they met the minimum sanitation standards but may have areas needing improvement.
Interestingly, the Squaremouth study also noted that there appeared to be no correlation between the frequency of viral outbreaks onboard and the sanitation scores of the ships. This finding suggests that even the cleanest ships can experience viral illnesses among passengers. The CDC recorded a total of 23 outbreaks on vessels in 2025, marking a 28% increase from the previous year.
As cruise enthusiasts consider travel options for the upcoming season, this study may serve as a valuable guide in selecting safe and well-maintained ships. Keeping sanitation a priority not only supports passenger health but is essential for the cruise industry’s reputation in maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety.
In summary, Squaremouth Travel Insurance’s analysis underscores the importance of sanitation in the cruise industry, revealing both the successes and areas for concern. Cruise lines are encouraged to continue striving for the highest cleanliness standards, ensuring that their fleets provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests in 2025 and beyond.