What cruise line has bacteria in the water?

Legionella previously found on American Cruise Lines vessels The agency found evidence of Legionella in the potable water systems of its American Star and American Heritage vessels following periodic inspections between December 2021 and and August 2022.



All cruise lines are subject to strict monitoring by the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) to prevent outbreaks of bacteria, most notably Legionella (the cause of Legionnaires' disease) and E. coli. While no specific line is "known" for having bacteria, Grand Circle Cruise Line and Princess Cruises have both faced high-profile investigations in recent years regarding Legionella detections in their water systems. Legionella thrives in complex plumbing systems and hot tubs if chlorine levels are not meticulously maintained. In 2026, cruise ships use advanced automated chlorination and UV filtration systems to sanitize every drop of water used for drinking, showering, and pools. If a ship fails a CDC inspection (which are unannounced), the results are made public on the CDC "Green Sheet." For travelers, the risk of waterborne bacteria on a modern cruise ship is statistically much lower than in many land-based hotels, as ships are required to test their water chemistry multiple times a day and undergo rigorous deep-cleaning of their holding tanks during dry-dock periods to prevent the buildup of "biofilm" where bacteria could hide.

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2023 American Splendor Legionnaires' Disease Hotel General Manager Jay Hasan notified American Splendor passengers of water test results that were positive for Legionella on September 18, 2023, the second-to-last day of a week-long cruise, according to the USA Today report.

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The outbreaks affected Royal Caribbean and Carnival lines, on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America, Princess and P&O ships, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Cruise ships make their own drinking water. It's unsurprising since they're constantly surrounded by sea water – they use either steam evaporation or reverse osmosis processes to desalinate the water before minerals and chlorine are added. It's the same as a home filtration system, only significantly larger.

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Infectious Disease Outbreaks The most frequently reported cruise ship outbreaks involve GI infections (e.g., norovirus), respiratory infections (e.g., coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19], influenza), and other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), such as varicella.

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More than 300 sickened on Ruby Princess cruise ship, CDC says. Hundreds of passengers and crew members fell ill while on board a Princess Cruises ship, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. In total, 284 of 2,881 passengers on the Ruby Princess reported being sick during the voyage between Feb.

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Top 3 Tips on How to Avoid Norovirus on a Cruise Ship
  1. Wash Your Hands Frequently. The most important thing that you can do to avoid Norovirus on a cruise ship is to wash and sanitize your hands as frequently as possible! ...
  2. Make Sure Food is Protected. ...
  3. Keep Your Immune System Strong.


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Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships surge after years of decline. Halfway through the year, there are already more confirmed outbreaks in 2023 than there have been since 2012. Data for 2023 is through the end of June. Other years capture the total number of outbreaks for the full calendar year.

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While the virus has garnered the nickname “cruise ship virus,” in reality, norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships account for only 1% of all reported norovirus outbreaks, the CDC says. In fact, acute gastrointestinal illness is fairly uncommon on cruise ships, the agency says.

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To minimize the risk of seasickness, book one of the world's largest ships, such as Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. Keep in mind that the ocean is much larger than even the most gargantuan ships, so when the seas are rough, you can still feel movement — just less than if you're sailing on a 100-person yacht.

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Benjamin Shore, Chief Medical Consultant at Royal Caribbean, to break down the basics and whether it's actually common for guests to experience seasickness while vacationing at sea. “Considering the large size of today's cruise ships, seasickness is rarely a problem,” says Dr. Benjamin Shore.

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On American Star, the agency found legionella in showerhead pipes in both passenger and crew rooms, a potable water holding tank and elsewhere, a showerhead pipe in a passenger cabin, and a bathroom faucet aerator on American Heritage, according to the letter.

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As people flock to cruise ships after the pandemic, health and sanitation conditions are still a big issue — including a record 13 norovirus outbreaks so far in 2023.

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Cruise ships burn heavy fuel oils that contain harmful chemicals and substances like sulfur and heavy metals, which can leak into the oceans. If a cruise ship has a faulty system or improper repair work, oils can leak from these areas and penetrate the oceans, causing pollution and threatening marine life.

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Or maybe it's norovirus, a contagious virus that often keeps you at the toilet for several days. Some people know it as the “cruise ship virus” because it's often the cause of over 90% of diarrhea outbreaks on cruise ships, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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