Serious hygiene deficiency on Hapag Lloyd's Hanseatic Inspiration: Hygiene inspection in US port not passed

Bild von Horst Müller auf Pixabay
The expedition cruise ship Hanseatic Inspiration of Hapag Lloyd Cruises, a brand of TUI Cruises, underwent a comprehensive hygiene inspection in a US port on September 29, 2024. This inspection was carried out as part of the United States Public Health (USPH) program of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Such rigorous inspections are mandatory whenever a cruise ship calls at US ports, as the USA is known worldwide for its strict hygiene standards. The cruise lines attach great importance to good results, as the assessments attract international attention.

The inspections are carried out according to a standardized checklist and a points system in which up to 100 points can be awarded. Areas such as water quality, food hygiene, work processes, food storage and the hygienic conditions in kitchens and guest areas are checked. At least 86 points are required to successfully pass the test. If this minimum is not achieved, a list of deficiencies is drawn up and a deadline is set for rectification. In extreme cases, a “No Sail Order” can be imposed, which prohibits sailing on US waters until a re-inspection has been successfully completed. If the required number of points is not achieved during a re-inspection, the ban remains in force.

During the inspection of the Hanseatic Inspiration, significant violations were found, which led to a sobering result of only 62 points - the worst result among all cruise ships in 2024. Only one other ship, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, fell short of the minimum score of 86, but still achieved 83 points.

The reports and scores are publicly available on the CDC website. In the case of the Hanseatic Inspiration, inspectors revealed significant food hygiene issues as well as an infestation of insects.

In a statement to US media, Hapag Lloyd Cruises said that immediate action was taken to address the deficiencies identified to ensure that such problems are avoided in the future. With a result far below the minimum requirements, this points to structural deficiencies on board the ship.

No cruise company can afford to be in the spotlight with such a poor result. Hapag Lloyd Cruises is therefore expected to do everything in its power to avoid such incidents in the future. At the same time, there are cruise ships that achieved the full score of 100 in 2024.