- Feature #1 - Ship Inspections: Scores, reports, and corrective actions
- Feature #2 - Electronic Training: Health Practices on Cruise Ships video series
- Feature #3 - Illness Prevention: Prevention fact sheets and videos
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 is part of the National Center for Environmental Health's Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services. More about VSP »
Cruise Ship Travelers
Inspection Scores, Reports, and Corrective Actions - Outbreak Information - Prevention Tips
Publications & References
VSP Operations Manual - VSP Construction Guidelines - Related Publications and Articles
Cruise Ship Industry
Electronic and Seminar Training - Inspection Data - Investigation Tools
What's New
VSP 2011 Operations Manual [PDF - 4.88 MB]
Changes from 2005 Version (highlighted) [PDF - 4.89 MB]
Clarifications to the VSP 2011 Operations Manual [PDF - 288 KB]
VSP 2011 Construction Guidelines [PDF - 4.88 MB]
Changes from 2005 Version (highlighted) [PDF - 2.92 MB]
Clarifications to the VSP 2011 Construction Guidelines [PDF - 51 KB]
2013 VSP Seminar Dates Announced – Miami and Seattle
Handwashing
To stay healthy and clean, wash your hands with warm water and soap. Handwashing recommendations for the cruising public.
Set Sail
In this podcast, a listener wants to know if children in diapers or those who aren't toilet trained can use the swimming pools on cruise ships.
Inspection Scores Increasing; Failing Scores Declining
Read the Journal of Environmental Health feature article,
Shipshape: Sanitation Inspections on Cruise Ships, 1990–2005, Vessel Sanitation Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [PDF - 554 KB]
Cruise Ship Inspection
- Inspection Scores Advanced and basic cruise ship inspection search
- Green Sheet Report A list of the most recent inspection scores
- Ship Score of 100 Cruise ship inspections with score of 100
- Variances List variances by section or cruise ship
- About Inspections Operational and construction inspections
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - cdcinfo@cdc.gov