10 of the Dirtiest Things on Cruise Ships
Travel Tips
Cruise ships undergo regular inspections for cleanliness before leaving port—but not every cruise line is created equal, and some are germier than others. Before you set out on your next cruise vacation, find out which are the dirtiest things on cruise ships.
Seasickness isn’t your only concern
Forget a rocking ship and a queasy feeling in stormy waters: Cruise ships can be a breeding ground for infection and illness simply because they have a group of people living in the same spaces for days on end. You may have heard of Legionnaire’s disease, but there are some less exotic germ concerns you need to know about.
Ice machines
During a recent inspection by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of one particular ship, the ice machine was found to be among the most unkempt items on the boat. According to Fodor’s, they were described as having “a reddish purple drip,” “black debris,” and “pink and brown debris.” Yuck. Get to know more everyday items that are dirtier than a toilet seat.
Beer taps
For some revellers, there’s nothing more relaxing than lounging by a cruise ship pool while knocking back an ice cold beer. However, as The Cheat Sheet revealed, health inspectors discovered one ship’s taps were extremely dirty. They reported that the taps had “a buildup of a brownish substance on the dispenser’s interior.” As it turned out, these taps hadn’t been cleaned in more than two months. The Brewers Association advises cleaning beer taps at least every two weeks. If you’re heading out to sea, read up on these cruise ship tips you’ll wish you knew sooner.