Two Cruise Ships Fail Health Inspections on Back to Back Days

Two cruise ships just failed surprise health inspections that were carried out by the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP).

Emerald Princess failed an inspection on October 16, 2026, with the lowest score so far in 2026: 78. The following day, Le Lyrial from Ponant failed its health inspection with an 83. The CDC considers scores of 85 and below as failing.

While the inspections took place two weeks ago, the reports were just added to the CDC’s website today. Reports are added to the CDC’s website anywhere from two to 12 weeks after an inspection takes place. You can see a list of the cleanest ships from the prior month here.

Here is a look at the health reports of these two ships that just failed inspection.

Emerald Princess Scores 78

VSP inspectors found a total of 39 deficiencies on Emerald Princess when it was inspected in Los Angeles on October 16. The biggest violation was what the VSP called significant food safety issues across the vessel.

The food safety issues included the following:

• Food that was rotten and/or displaying visible signs of mold growth was out for service at the crew mess
• Excessively soiled warewashing machines resulting in soiled food-contact and non-food contact surfaces
• Improperly maintained hygiene facilities
• Insufficient pest control: A total of 33 live flies were noted in various food areas
• Improper cooling combined with improper time control

Inspectors also found visibly moldy and/or rotten fruit, improper food storage, and missing temperature measuring devices.

Emerald Princess has been inspected 31 times, and this is the first time that it has failed. It has scored a perfect 100 seven times in its history.

Le Lyrial Scores 83

This 264-passenger cruise ship from Ponant had a total of 27 deficiencies when the ship was inspected in New York on October 17. Inspectors found food-contact surfaces were not adequately designed, constructed, or properly maintained.

Rat guards were also not in place on the ship’s lines when inspectors boarded the vessel. They were put on an hour after the ship arrived in New York.

The majority of the violations had to do with cleaning supplies on the vessel. This is the first time the ship has ever been inspected by the VSP.

Besides these two ships, the only other cruise ship to fail its health inspection in 2026 is Norwegian Dawn back in May. Two months ago, Cruise Fever wrote about the dirtiest cruise ships of the year based on health inspections conducted by the CDC.

About Cruise Ship Inspections

All cruise ships that sail to or from a U.S. port are subject to two announced health inspections per year. Cruise lines pay for the inspections, with the price based on the size of the ship.

The inspections are conducted to help maintain high public health standards and to prevent large numbers of passengers and crew members from getting sick.

During these inspections, the following eight areas of the ship are inspected:

• Medical Center
• Drinking water
• Galleys and dining rooms
• Swimming pools and hot tubs
• Housekeeping
• Pest and insect management
• Child activity centers (if the ship has them)
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems

Crew members are also interviewed to ensure that they are well trained in VSP requirements specific to their job. Logs are also reviewed and checked to make sure the cruise ship is following VSP’s standards.

Cruise lines also submit a corrective report to the CDC with action statements for each deficiency listed in the health report, even if they passed. The VSP does not verify that the deficiencies have been corrected until the next vessel inspection or reinspection.

When a ship fails inspection, it is reinspected in a timely manner to make sure corrective actions have taken place.

A total of 43 cruise ships have scored a perfect 100 so far in 2026, the most on record. The average year sees between 25 and 35 ships ace its inspection.

Five cruise ships have scored a perfect 100 twice this year. They are Disney Fantasy, Icon of the Seas, Koningsdam, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Luna.