CDC Cuts Entire Vessel Sanitation Program Staff Amid Rising Cruise Ship Outbreaks

CBS News and Travel + Leisure reported in April 2025 that the CDC laid off all full-time workers from its Vessel Sanitation Program. The program, running since 1975, has been a cruise industry partner for decades, handling ship inspections and outbreak responses. Interestingly, cruise lines voluntarily participate and completely fund the VSP themselves.

The timing couldn't be worse. Cruise operators are currently battling a new norovirus strain that's causing havoc across U.S. ships. The VSP website shows 12 outbreaks already this year - most from norovirus. Last year? Just 18 total. Yikes.

These cuts are part of a bigger CDC downsizing pushed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. But don't panic completely - 12 U.S. Public Health Service officers are still around to keep things running, sort of.

The Cruise Lines International Association told Travel + Leisure they expect the program to continue functioning. Their spokesperson pointed out that since Public Health Service officers mainly run the program anyway, things should keep going - though probably not at full steam.

Industry experts think cruise companies will step up. Iain Hay from Anchor Hygiene Services, who knows cruise ship health inside out, mentioned that since the industry already pays for the program, they'll likely keep supporting vessel sanitation initiatives no matter what the government does. He also noted something surprising - the VSP actually exists because cruise lines wanted tougher standards than what the FDA gave hotels. They actually value these high standards.

CLIA bragged about the cruise sector's health protocols - cleaning, passenger screening, inspections - saying they're better than other hospitality businesses. They also made an important point: cruise lines are literally the only travel sector that regularly reports illnesses to the CDC. So all that data you see about cruise ship outbreaks? It doesn't mean ships are dirtier than hotels or planes. Those places just don't have to report their problems!

Ships in the program get surprise inspections twice yearly. These cover everything from medical facilities to swimming pools to ventilation systems. Results go public on the CDC website - 86 or higher is passing. In the last six months, Disney Magic, Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady, and Explora I all scored perfect 100s. The 24-year average? An impressive 95.95.

So what's this all mean for cruise ship health inspections going forward? The CDC layoffs impact definitely change things, especially with norovirus outbreaks 2025 trending upward. But with the cruise industry's financial backing and commitment to high standards, the vessel sanitation funding will likely continue in some form. After all, cruise health protocols have always been about protecting passengers - and the industry's reputation.