The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship received an inspection score of 89 during a routine health check conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier this month.
The inspection, conducted on March 8 as part of the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), flagged 26 violations.
Carnival Sunshine’s Health Infractions
Among the most serious were reports of a food service employee continuing to work while experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, insects found in food service areas, and refrigeration failures that compromised safe food storage.
The CDC noted cockroaches and fruit flies in multiple galleys and food preparation areas, including sightings beneath equipment and near dishwashing stations.
A cockroach was observed in the crew galley near rolling flour bins.
In a detailed inspection report, the CDC cited several equipment issues, including malfunctioning refrigeration units that allowed potentially hazardous foods—like sandwiches and raw meatballs—to rise above safe temperature thresholds.
Additional problems included worn gaskets on ice machines, leaking water lines, damaged flooring, and disrepair of food-contact surfaces.
Read more: The Truth Behind Cruise Ship Health Inspections
While the ship did pass the inspection—cruise ships need a score of 86 or above to avoid failing—it still must submit a corrective action plan to the CDC.
Royal Caribbean’s Low Score in February
These findings follow similar scrutiny of Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas earlier this year, where inspectors found 57 violations.
Royal Caribbean responded with updated policies on illness reporting, food handling, and sanitation protocols.
Ships that score below expectations must implement corrective measures and may be subject to follow-up inspections.
Carnival Sunshine underwent a two-week dry dock in Marseille, France, this past January before returning to service in Norfolk, Virginia, in mid-February.
The vessel was originally launched as Carnival Destiny in 1996 and rebranded as Carnival Sunshine in 2013.
