Health & Sanitation

CDC Vessel Sanitation Program: How to Use Ship Inspection Scores in Your Complaint

Updated April 2026  ยท  CruiseComplaintLetter.com

If you got sick on a cruise and suspect it was related to the ship's sanitation, the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program is one of the most powerful tools in your corner.

What Is the CDC VSP?

The CDC Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) was established in the 1970s after outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships. It conducts unannounced inspections of cruise ships that call on US ports, evaluating water systems, food handling, food storage, housekeeping, ventilation, pool and spa conditions, and medical facilities.

Ships are scored on a scale of 0 to 100. A score of 86 or higher is considered satisfactory. Scores below 86 trigger a follow-up inspection.

How to Look Up Your Ship's Score

All VSP inspection results are publicly available on the CDC website at cdc.gov/nceh/vsp. You can search by ship name and see the most recent inspection report, including the date, the score, and specific violations noted.

๐Ÿ’ก If your ship scored below 86 around the time of your sailing, or if the inspection report noted violations in food handling or water systems, this is powerful supporting evidence for a sanitation-related complaint.

What VSP Inspectors Check

Using VSP Data in a Cruise Complaint

If you experienced gastrointestinal illness, norovirus symptoms, or suspected food poisoning on a cruise, reference the VSP inspection record in your complaint letter. For example: "According to the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program's most recent inspection of the [Ship Name], conducted [date], the vessel received a score of [score] with noted violations in [area]. This is consistent with the illness I experienced on [date]."

This demonstrates you have done your research and connects your personal experience to documented evidence โ€” significantly strengthening your complaint.

What If Your Ship Was Not Inspected Recently?

VSP inspections are conducted on ships that call on US ports at least twice per year. If your ship has no recent record, you can still cite CDC VSP standards as the benchmark against which the ship's sanitation should be measured, and note that your experience suggests those standards were not met.

Can I report my illness to the CDC directly?

Yes. If 3% or more of passengers on a voyage reported similar gastrointestinal symptoms, the cruise line is required to report this to the CDC. You can also submit a report yourself through the CDC VSP website. A formal report on record strengthens any subsequent complaint or legal action.

Does VSP apply to all cruise ships?

VSP applies to ships with 13 or more passenger berths that call on US ports. Most major ocean cruise ships are covered. River cruises and very small vessels may not be.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP)?
The CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspects cruise ships calling on US ports and scores them from 0 to 100. Any score below 86 is a failing grade. Inspections cover food preparation, water systems, hygiene facilities, and crew health protocols. Reports are publicly available on the CDC website at no cost.
What does USPH stand for in cruise ship inspections?
USPH stands for United States Public Health. USPH inspections and CDC VSP inspections are the same thing. The terms are used interchangeably. When a ship undergoes a USPH inspection, it is being evaluated by the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program against federal public health standards.
How do I look up my cruise ship's CDC inspection score?
Go to www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp and search by ship name. You will find the inspection score and a detailed report covering every area inspected, including specific violations noted. Reports from the past several years are publicly available.
What is a passing CDC cruise ship inspection score?
A score of 86 or above out of 100 is passing. Scores below 86 are failing. A score of 95 or above is considered excellent. A failing score in food handling, water systems, or crew hygiene areas is powerful supporting evidence in an illness-related complaint.
How does a low CDC USPH inspection score help my cruise complaint?
A low VSP score is documented government evidence you can cite directly in your complaint letter. It shifts the burden of explanation to the cruise line. A letter stating your ship received a specific CDC VSP score with documented violations in relevant areas is far more compelling than a general illness complaint.
Can I report cruise ship illness directly to the CDC VSP?
Yes. Passengers who fell ill onboard can report to the CDC VSP at www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp. The CDC uses passenger reports to trigger investigations and can require corrective action from cruise lines. Filing a VSP illness report alongside your formal complaint letter strengthens your overall case significantly.
What does it mean when a cruise ship fails a USPH inspection?
A failing score below 86 means the ship had documented deficiencies in one or more areas including food storage, preparation, water treatment, waste management, or crew hygiene practices. Failing ships are re-inspected, but they can continue to operate during the remediation period.
How often are cruise ships inspected by the CDC?
The CDC VSP inspects cruise ships sailing from US ports approximately twice per year. Ships can also request voluntary inspections. Inspection frequency can vary based on ship size, sailing frequency, and prior inspection history. All inspection dates for a specific ship are shown on the CDC VSP website.
What happens to a cruise ship that fails a CDC inspection?
A failing ship receives a detailed report of violations and is subject to re-inspection. The cruise line is required to address the deficiencies. Ships are not automatically taken out of service for a failing grade, but repeated failures attract increased scrutiny and public attention.
Can a cruise ship sail after failing a USPH inspection?
Yes. A failing CDC VSP score does not automatically prevent a ship from sailing. The cruise line is required to correct the deficiencies, but the ship can continue operating while remediation occurs. This is why checking inspection scores before and during your sailing window matters for illness complaints.
How do I use a CDC inspection report in my complaint letter?
Reference the specific inspection date, the score, and the specific violation areas that relate to your illness. For example, if you experienced food poisoning and the ship had documented galley violations in the inspection preceding your sailing, cite this directly. CruiseComplaintLetter.com incorporates this evidence automatically.
What is the difference between a CDC VSP inspection and a USPH inspection?
There is no difference. USPH inspection is the informal term used by cruise lines and passengers for the same inspection conducted by the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program. The inspection certificate issued to cruise ships is called the USPH certificate, which is why both terms are widely used.
What do CDC cruise ship inspectors actually look for?
Inspectors examine food storage temperatures, galley hygiene, water system safety including potable water and pool water, waste management, pest control, medical facilities, and crew health protocols. They check hundreds of individual items across multiple ship areas during each inspection.
Can I get the CDC inspection report before I book a cruise?
Yes. All CDC VSP inspection reports are publicly available at www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp. You can check any ship's inspection history, score, and specific violations before booking. This is useful research for anyone concerned about cruise ship health and sanitation standards.
Does a good CDC score mean I cannot claim illness compensation?
No. A high CDC score does not prevent you from making an illness claim. Ships can pass inspections but still have isolated incidents of contamination. Your personal medical evidence and the circumstances of your illness are the primary basis for a compensation claim, regardless of the ship's inspection score.
How recent does a CDC inspection score need to be to use in a complaint?
An inspection from within 12 months of your sailing is most relevant. An inspection from the 6 months before your sailing is particularly strong evidence. Older inspections can still support a complaint about long-standing hygiene practices, but a recent low score is significantly more compelling.
What violations show up most on CDC cruise ship inspections?
The most common violations involve food temperature control, improper food storage, cross-contamination risks in galleys, inadequate handwashing facilities, pool and spa water chemistry issues, and pest evidence. Food and water-related violations are the most directly relevant to passenger illness claims.
Which cruise ships have the worst CDC sanitation scores?
The CDC VSP publishes all inspection scores publicly. Scores below 86 are failing. You can view the full list of recent inspections and scores on the CDC VSP website at www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp sorted by score or date. Specific failing ships are publicly identified in these reports.
What is a USPH inspection certificate on a cruise ship?
A USPH certificate is the document issued to a cruise ship after a CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspection, confirming the ship has been inspected and noting its score. A score of 86 or above is required to obtain a passing certificate. Cruise ships typically display their most recent certificate.
How do I find out if there was a norovirus outbreak on my cruise ship?
The CDC VSP tracks and publishes gastrointestinal illness outbreak reports at www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp. Reports include the number of affected passengers and crew, the suspected illness cause, and the ship and sailing date. If your sailing appears in this database, it is strong evidence for an illness compensation claim.

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