How Safe Are Cruises?
The official records behind cruise safety, and how to read them for yourself.
Get Free Quotes From a Cruise AdvisorHow Safe Are Cruises? Look at the Record
How safe are cruises? Most people answer that question from headlines, which mostly report the rare incident. A better answer comes from the public records that exist precisely so travelers can check: sanitation inspection scores for every ship that sails from a U.S. port, quarterly crime reports filed under federal law, Coast Guard examinations and international drill rules. Cruise Safe shows you where each record lives and how to read it.
Ships sailing internationally from U.S. ports are inspected for sanitation twice a year without warning by the CDC, examined by the U.S. Coast Guard, and required by the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 to report certain crimes to the FBI. Those reports are then published by the U.S. Department of Transportation. You do not have to take anyone’s word for it — including ours.
Inspection scores
How to look up a ship’s CDC sanitation score and what the number means.
Look up a ship →
Muster drill
What the muster drill is, how it works on today’s ships and what to do.
Muster drill guide →
Safety statistics
Where official cruise ship safety statistics come from and their limits.
Read the numbers →Four Records Anyone Can Check
| Record | Who publishes it | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Sanitation inspection scores | CDC Vessel Sanitation Program | How a ship scored on its last unannounced inspection, with the items cited |
| Gastrointestinal outbreak list | CDC Vessel Sanitation Program | Voyages where 3% or more of passengers or crew reported GI illness |
| Cruise line incident reports | U.S. Department of Transportation | Alleged serious crimes and missing persons reported to the FBI, by quarter |
| Coast Guard examinations | U.S. Coast Guard | Whether a foreign-flag ship that embarks passengers in the U.S. holds a current Certificate of Compliance |
Each record has limits, and we explain them on the relevant page. A sanitation score is a snapshot of one inspection day. Crime figures count reports, not convictions. Read together, though, they give a far more honest picture than any single story.
Your Own Part in Staying Safe
Official checks cover the ship. The rest is about everyday habits, the same ones that keep you safe in any hotel or city: lock valuables in the cabin safe, never sit or climb on balcony rails, drink sensibly, know your muster station, wash your hands before every meal and keep a copy of your documents. Our cruise safety tips page sets these out for solo travelers, couples and families, and staying healthy covers norovirus prevention.
For the engineering side — how ships are built and equipped for safety, health care at sea and hurricane season — see our sister site Cruising Is Safe.
Ask an Advisor Who Reads the Fine Print
Choosing a ship is easier when someone has done the homework. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can tell you how a ship you are considering has fared on recent inspections, what a line’s current health rules are and whether travel insurance makes sense for your trip. Ask with any quote request.
Cruise Safe is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Cruise Safety Questions
How safe are cruises compared with other holidays?
Cruise ships operate under international safety rules, are inspected by their flag state and, when they sail from U.S. ports, by the U.S. Coast Guard and CDC. Serious incidents are rare. The best way to judge for yourself is to read the public records this site explains.
How safe are cruises today, after the pandemic years?
CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program continues its unannounced sanitation inspections and posts gastrointestinal outbreaks on its website, and lines run their muster and medical routines as before. Current health requirements are set by each line; check them before you sail.
Where can I look up a specific ship?
Start with CDC’s cruise ship inspection search for sanitation scores. Our inspection scores page walks you through it.
Choose a Ship With Confidence
Tell us the cruise you are considering and any safety or health questions. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will answer personally and send free quotes.
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