Conference abbott::cruise_travel

321.0. "Vessel Sanitation Ratings" by MAST::DEROSA (I := not(number)) Wed Oct 02 1991 01:18

    As part of our research for our first-ever cruise, my wife and I
    purchased a Fodor's book on cruises.
    
    As part of Fodor's ratings of the various cruise lines and ships, they
    have a "sanitation rating" for most of the ships.  I quote:
    
    "Sanitation ratings are provided by the Vessel Sanitation Program,
    Center for Environmental Health and Injury Control.  Ships are rated on
    water, food preparation and holding, potential contamination of food,
    and general cleanliness, storage, and repair.  A score of 86 or higher
    indicates an acceptable level of sanitation.  According to the center,
    `a low score does not necessarily imply an imminent outbreak of
    gastrointestinal disease.'  Chart ratings come from the center's March
    15, 1991 report."
    
    Some of the sanitation ratings of some popular ships are quite
    surprising.  Viz.:
    
    Carnivale		86
    Celebration		97
    Crown Princess	66 !!
    Festivale		92
    Holiday		86
    Jubilee		86
    Mardi Gras		86
    Rotterdam		87
    Westerdam		89
    Fantasy		95
    CostaRiviera	72
    Daphne		78
    
    
    Since 86 is a passing grade, most of the most frequently mentioned
    ships in this conference just barely passed.
    
    Can anyone tell me something authoritative about this center (I could
    mail away for their full report, but...) and this santitation rating?
    Also, has anyone suspected food or water problems on any of the ships
    with low scores in the above table?  
    
    It so happens that the cruise currently at the top of our list is
    Windstar cruise lines, which got a perfect score of 100.  But I still
    like to know more about this rating.
    
    
    Thanks in advance,
    
    John DeRosa