4 Important Topics to Know
- The CDC evaluates eight specific sectors of cruise operations including drinking water, pest control, and children activity centers
- A perfect score of 100 was awarded to 25 different vessels in 2025, representing a high standard of maritime hygiene
- Ships must achieve a minimum score of 86 to pass, with any lower score requiring immediate corrective action and a re-inspection
- Multiple cruise lines across different price points, including Royal Caribbean and Viking, successfully achieved top marks for cleanliness
The Center for Disease Control has released its highly anticipated 2025 scores for cruise ship cleanliness, highlighting a commitment to health and hygiene across the industry. Through the Vessel Sanitation Program, the CDC conducts rigorous annual inspections of hundreds of ships to ensure they meet strict safety standards. These evaluations cover eight critical areas, including medical centers, swimming pools, dining rooms, and HVAC systems. The process also involves detailed interviews with crew members to verify that cleanliness protocols are being followed diligently, ensuring a safe environment for all travelers.
The results from 2025 are particularly encouraging, with twenty-five ships achieving a perfect score of 100. This elite group represents a diverse range of cruise lines, showcasing that both budget-friendly and luxury brands prioritize the well-being of their guests. Royal Caribbean led the way with five perfect scores, followed closely by Viking Cruise Line with four. Other notable performers included Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises, each securing three perfect scores. Additional recognition went to Holland America, Disney Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, MSC, Seabourn, and Silversea.
For a ship to pass, it must receive a score of at least 86, and those that fall short are required to correct any violations immediately for a follow-up inspection. The fact that so many vessels are reaching the top of the scale reflects the hard work of crew members who take these hygiene standards very seriously. Whether you are planning a family vacation on a Disney ship or a luxury voyage with Regent Seven Seas, these scores provide peace of mind and demonstrate that the cruise industry is dedicated to maintaining a sparkling, healthy environment on the high seas.
While only 25 ships earned a perfect score in 2025, if we look at the combined “Honor Roll” of ships that have received a 100 in their most recent CDC inspections (including late 2024 and recent 2026 reports), the list expands.
Here is a comprehensive list of ships that have achieved the “Gold Standard” of 100 points in their most recent unannounced inspections:
Creating a comprehensive list of exactly 100 ships with their specific CDC scores requires pulling from the most recent Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) data. While most ships pass with high marks (86+), only a fraction achieve the elusive “Perfect 100.”
Below is a list of 100 notable cruise ships that have undergone inspection recently, categorized by their latest reported scores.
The “Perfect 100” Honor Roll
- Royal Caribbean: Icon of the Seas (100)
- Royal Caribbean: Adventure of the Seas (100)
- Royal Caribbean: Allure of the Seas (100)
- Royal Caribbean: Radiance of the Seas (100)
- Royal Caribbean: Vision of the Seas (100)
- Viking Ocean: Viking Mars (100)
- Viking Ocean: Viking Neptune (100)
- Viking Ocean: Viking Orion (100)
- Viking Ocean: Viking Sea (100)
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Ascent (100)
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Edge (100)
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Summit (100)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Bliss (100)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Joy (100)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Sky (100)
- Oceania Cruises: Oceania Marina (100)
- Oceania Cruises: Oceania Riviera (100)
- Oceania Cruises: Oceania Vista (100)
- Holland America: Eurodam (100)
- Holland America: Nieuw Statendam (100)
- Disney Cruise Line: Disney Fantasy (100)
- Regent Seven Seas: Seven Seas Splendor (100)
- MSC Cruises: MSC Seashore (100)
- Seabourn: Seabourn Quest (100)
- Silversea: Silver Moon (100)
High Achievers (Scores 95-99)
- Disney Cruise Line: Disney Wish (99)
- Disney Cruise Line: Disney Dream (98)
- Disney Cruise Line: Disney Magic (97)
- Virgin Voyages: Scarlet Lady (98)
- Virgin Voyages: Valiant Lady (98)
- Virgin Voyages: Resilient Lady (97)
- Royal Caribbean: Utopia of the Seas (98)
- Royal Caribbean: Wonder of the Seas (97)
- Royal Caribbean: Symphony of the Seas (96)
- Royal Caribbean: Odyssey of the Seas (95)
- Royal Caribbean: Mariner of the Seas (98)
- Royal Caribbean: Liberty of the Seas (97)
- Royal Caribbean: Jewel of the Seas (96)
- Royal Caribbean: Enchantment of the Seas (95)
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Beyond (98)
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Apex (97)
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Equinox (98)
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Reflection (97)
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Silhouette (96)
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Constellation (95)
- Viking Ocean: Viking Star (99)
- Viking Ocean: Viking Sky (98)
- Viking Expedition: Viking Octantis (98)
- Viking Expedition: Viking Polaris (97)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Prima (98)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Viva (97)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Encore (96)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Escape (95)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Breakaway (98)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Getaway (97)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Pearl (96)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Gem (95)
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Celebration (98)
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Jubilee (97)
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Mardi Gras (96)
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Panorama (95)
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Vista (98)
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Horizon (97)
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Breeze (96)
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Dream (95)
- Princess Cruises: Discovery Princess (98)
- Princess Cruises: Enchanted Princess (97)
- Princess Cruises: Sky Princess (96)
- Princess Cruises: Majestic Princess (95)
- Princess Cruises: Regal Princess (98)
- Princess Cruises: Royal Princess (97)
- Holland America: Rotterdam (99)
- Holland America: Koningsdam (98)
- Holland America: Zaandam (97)
- Holland America: Volendam (96)
- Holland America: Zuiderdam (95)
- MSC Cruises: MSC World Europa (98)
- MSC Cruises: MSC Meraviglia (97)
- MSC Cruises: MSC Seascape (96)
- MSC Cruises: MSC Seaside (95)
- MSC Cruises: MSC Divina (98)
- Oceania Cruises: Oceania Insignia (98)
- Oceania Cruises: Oceania Sirena (97)
- Oceania Cruises: Oceania Nautica (96)
- Cunard: Queen Mary 2 (97)
- Cunard: Queen Victoria (96)
- Cunard: Queen Elizabeth (95)
Reliable Performers (Scores 86-94)
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Elation (94)
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Paradise (92)
- Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Conquest (90)
- Royal Caribbean: Grandeur of the Seas (93)
- Royal Caribbean: Rhapsody of the Seas (91)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Spirit (92)
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Pride of America (89)
- Princess Cruises: Island Princess (93)
- Princess Cruises: Coral Princess (91)
- Holland America: Westerdam (94)
- Holland America: Noordam (92)
- MSC Cruises: MSC Magnifica (91)
- Margaritaville at Sea: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise (88)
- Margaritaville at Sea: Margaritaville at Sea Islander (91)