Luxury liner Queen Mary 2 fails surprise sanitation inspection by CDC

Cunard's QM2 gets a failing sanitation grade from the CDC.

The Queen Mary 2, the pride of the Cunard fleet, is in full damage control this morning after being broadsided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the well-respected Atlanta-based group which oversees cruise line sanitation.

During a recent inspection of the QM2, the CDC claims it found "human hair in an ice machine; extremely dirty water in a pool; chemicals stored near napkins and paper cups; and even a few errant cockroaches" on board the luxury liner.

So, the CDC slapped the QM2  with a grading of just 84 out of 100 - anything less than a 95 sanitation score from the CDC should send passengers running for the gangplank. Last year, the CDC gave the QM2 a score of 98.

So what the hell happened? Who at Cunard is asleep at the wheel? Nothing sinks a cruise ship's reputation faster than a bad score from the CDC. And thank goodness for a group like the CDC, which conducts "surprise" cleanliness inspections of vessels twice a year.

In the detailed report of the QM2, CDC inspectors cited dozens of other violations, including potable water tanks that were improperly maintained, wine and food products that were improperly stored directly on an open deck, and food residue on many surfaces that should have been wiped clean (e.g., a blender lid, steel shelving and even several deck surfaces). The word "filthy" is used in the report five times, according to an MSNBC report.

In a statement provided to Cruise Critic by Cunard, the line contends that the "poor (CDC) assessment on June 10 resulted largely from one small area of the ship's overall operation. All the issues raised in the report were immediately addressed and have now been corrected."

In response to the CDC report's citations of numerous staff lapses, Cunard says, "Ship and shore management have now redefined certain roles and responsibilities to clarify accountability and the company's already rigorous training schedule has been stepped up."

Low grades for ships, particular the larger mega-vessels, are exceedingly rare. In May, Norwegian Epic came close, scoring a lowly 89, while Carnival Glory squeaked by with an 87 after a January inspection. But there have been no failing scores since Albatross, a private vessel, earned a 69 in February 2010. The CDC claims a failing grade is anything less than 86.

Since January 1, 16 ships have nabbed perfect 100 scores, including Oasis of the Seas, Azamara Journey, Disney Dream, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jewel, Freedom of the Seas, HAL's Amsterdam, Celebrity Century — and even Carnival Splendor, which made big news last fall when an engine fire left it adrift off the coast of Mexico for four days.

If you'd like to see the CDC's latest rankings of cruise ships, go to http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/

Always check the CDC score list before booking a cruise.