Is It Safe to Cruise Right Now?
Current Cruise Health & Safety Outlook — Updated Continuously
For most voyages, cruising is a reasonably safe form of travel — when you prepare. The most meaningful risks for cruise passengers are not dramatic. They are predictable: gastrointestinal illness aboard ship, petty crime in port, inadequate travel insurance, and visiting a destination with an active health advisory without knowing it.
CruiseAware monitors all of these in real time. The information below reflects current conditions. Check your specific ship's sanitation score, your port destinations' advisories, and the active health alerts before you sail.
Active Health & Safety Alerts
Current advisories affecting cruise routes and destinations
Ship Sanitation: What the CDC Says
CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspections — updated from official records
The CDC inspects cruise ships that call on U.S. ports under its Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) and scores them from 0 to 100 on food safety, water systems, hygiene practices, and pest management. A score of 86 or higher is passing; 85 or below is a failing score.
Most major cruise ships maintain good sanitation. However, scores vary by vessel, and a ship can fail even with strong brand-name recognition. CruiseAware pulls these scores directly so you can check your specific ship before you board.
Passing score
86–100
Failing score
85 or below
Source
CDC VSP
Destination Safety by Port
U.S. State Department advisories, health risks, and port-level conditions
Cruise itineraries often cross multiple countries — each with its own health environment, crime conditions, and travel advisory level. The U.S. State Department rates every country on a 1–4 advisory scale: Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) through Level 4 (do not travel). Most popular cruise destinations are Level 1 or 2, but individual ports within a country can vary significantly.
Health Risks to Watch
Norovirus & Gastrointestinal Illness
The most common health issue on cruises. Spread through contaminated surfaces, food, and person-to-person contact. Best prevention: frequent handwashing (soap and water, not just hand sanitizer), avoiding buffets when your ship's sanitation score is marginal, and reporting symptoms immediately.
Respiratory Illness
Close quarters and shared air systems make respiratory viruses — including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV — more transmissible. Keep vaccinations current, ventilate your cabin when possible, and follow any onboard illness protocols.
Destination-Specific Health Risks
Some cruise destinations carry risks that aren't common at home — mosquito-borne diseases (Dengue, Zika, Malaria), water-borne illness ashore, or foodborne risks from local restaurants. CruiseAware's destination guides cover these specifically by port.
Sun, Heat & Dehydration
Shore excursions in tropical climates significantly increase heat illness risk, especially for older travelers. Drink water continuously, limit alcohol during the day, and schedule strenuous activities in the morning.
Medical Preparedness Before You Sail
All ocean-going cruise ships must have onboard medical facilities. Care is available — but it is not free, and it is not always sufficient for serious emergencies. The single most important preparation most cruise travelers skip is travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage. A medical airlift from the Caribbean can exceed $100,000 out of pocket without it.
Port Safety & Scam Awareness
Cruise passengers are identifiable targets in port — arriving in large groups, spending limited time ashore, carrying cash and electronics. Petty theft, overcharging, unlicensed taxis, and gem or artwork scams are the most common risks. Being in port for only 8–10 hours also limits your ability to recover from a problem before the ship sails.
Get a Personalized Safety Assessment for Your Specific Voyage
General guidance only goes so far. Our Country Intelligence Report is built around your ship and your exact destination — health risks, safety conditions, entry requirements, emergency contacts, and a wallet card — delivered to your inbox in minutes.
Cruise Safety — Common Questions
Are cruise ships safe right now?
For most sailings, yes — with preparation. The most significant risks for cruise passengers are predictable: gastrointestinal illness (especially norovirus), petty crime in port, inadequate travel health insurance, and visiting destinations with active advisories without knowing it. CruiseAware monitors all of these in real time. Check the current active alerts, your ship's CDC sanitation score, and your destination's safety profile before you sail.
Is norovirus common on cruises?
Norovirus outbreaks are more visible on cruise ships than on land simply because ships are required to report them to the CDC. In practice, cruise ships undergo rigorous sanitation inspections under the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) and are scored from 0–100 on food safety, water systems, and hygiene. A score of 86 or higher is passing. The best defenses are choosing a ship with a strong CDC score and practicing careful hand hygiene — wash hands before meals and after touching public surfaces.
How do I check a cruise ship's CDC score?
CruiseAware pulls CDC Vessel Sanitation Program scores directly. Go to the Ships section, search for your ship by name, and you'll see its most recent inspection score, date, and pass/fail status. A score below 86 means the ship failed its last inspection. You can also view all ships ranked by score on the VSP Score page.
What should I check before going ashore?
Before any port call: (1) review the U.S. State Department advisory for that country — Level 1 (normal), Level 2 (exercise caution), Level 3 (reconsider travel), or Level 4 (do not travel); (2) check CruiseAware's destination guide for local health risks, petty crime conditions, and scam warnings; (3) identify the nearest reputable hospital or clinic; (4) confirm your travel insurance covers emergency medical evacuation from that country. CruiseAware's Country Intelligence Report covers all of this in a single PDF for your specific destination.
Is cruise ship Wi-Fi safe?
Cruise ship Wi-Fi is shared and typically unencrypted between your device and the satellite gateway — treat it the same as airport or hotel Wi-Fi. Avoid accessing online banking, entering passwords, or making purchases without a VPN. Use your phone's cellular connection for sensitive transactions when in port if possible. Our electronic safety guide covers this in full, including practical steps to protect your devices and financial accounts before and during the voyage.
What happens if I get sick on a cruise?
Every ocean-going cruise ship is required to have an onboard medical center staffed by physicians and nurses. For minor illness, report to the ship's medical center promptly — early treatment for norovirus or respiratory illness limits spread and speeds recovery. For serious emergencies, ships coordinate medical evacuations with the U.S. Coast Guard or local authorities. This is why travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage — not just trip cancellation — is strongly recommended. Costs for onboard medical care or evacuation can exceed $100,000 without coverage.