CDC - Vessel Sanitation Program

Feature #1 - Electronic Training: Health Practices on Cruise Ships video series
Feature #2 - Protect yourself from illness during your cruise
Feature #3 - Find Cruise Ship Inspection Scores, Reports, and Corrective Actions

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). 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

Public Health Professionals: Prevention & Response

What's New

Revisions to the VSP Operations Manual and VSP Construction Guidelines

Final draft of VSP Operations Manual now posted – Please review and send any final comments prior to 5 June to: vsp@cdc.gov

Final draft of the VSP Construction Guidelines now posted – Please review and send any final comments prior to 24 June to: vsp@cdc.gov

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]