Vessel Sanitation Program boosts inspections as cruise ship outbreaks decline
Updated
Updated · Cruise Hive · May 9
Vessel Sanitation Program boosts inspections as cruise ship outbreaks decline
5 articles · Updated · Cruise Hive · May 9
After Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 2025 CDC restructuring, 12 Public Health Service officers helped inspect 273 ships in 2025, up 39% from 197 in 2024.
The programme has posted 56 inspections so far in 2026 and introduced stricter March guidance on water testing, remediation and record-keeping after Legionnaires' disease cases on cruise ships.
It has reported four gastrointestinal outbreaks this year, down 76.5% from 17 by mid-May 2025, despite concern after layoffs and amid recent norovirus and hantavirus incidents affecting some vessels.
With new Legionella rules and a departing chief, is the VSP's success against cruise ship outbreaks built to last?
How did a team of 12 officials increase cruise inspections by 39% after their program was effectively shut down?