Travelers expecting a luxury vacation aboard the Carnival Sunshine were met with concerning news when the ship received a disappointing health inspection score. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave the vessel an 89 out of 100—just three points above the minimum passing grade of 86. This marks the second major cruise line to struggle with CDC standards this year, following Royal Caribbean’s *Symphony of the Seas*, which scored an 86 in January after failing to report gastrointestinal illnesses among passengers.
The Carnival Sunshine, the oldest ship in Carnival’s fleet, was cited for 26 health violations during its March 8 inspection. Among the most alarming findings were a food service employee who continued working while suffering from an active gastrointestinal illness, live cockroaches and flies in food preparation and storage areas, and malfunctioning refrigerators that failed to maintain safe temperatures for perishable items.
Travel expert Jason from *The Travel Scouts* noted that inspection scores below 90 are considered problematic. “So far this year, only two ships—Carnival Sunshine and Royal Caribbean’s *Symphony of the Seas*—have scored this low,” he said. The presence of insects and sick workers in food zones raises serious concerns about potential norovirus outbreaks, a highly contagious illness known to spread rapidly in close quarters like cruise ships.
Carnival Cruise Line states on its website that it maintains strict health and sanitation protocols, working with agencies like the CDC and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to prevent infectious diseases. However, the recent inspection results suggest gaps in enforcement. The company must now submit a corrective action plan to the CDC detailing how it will address the violations.
The Carnival Sunshine, launched in 1996, accommodates over 3,000 passengers and spans 13 decks. While cruise lines often market their ships as floating resorts, this incident serves as a reminder that travelers should review CDC inspection reports before booking. With two industry leaders facing health violations in recent months, passengers may want to take extra precautions to ensure their vacations remain illness-free.
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