Does a low score mean poor sanitation?
Generally, the lower the score, the lower the level of sanitation. However, a low score does not mean passengers will suffer gastrointestinal or other illnesses. Ships are required to maintain a standardized gastrointestinal illness report for each cruise, with the number of cases of illnesses by dates of onset and total numbers of passengers and crew members affected. If at least three percent of passengers and/or crew members have gastrointestinal illness on a given cruise, the Vessel Sanitation Program may conduct an investigation to determine if an outbreak has occurred.
