Carnival Breeze Only Just Passes VSP Inspection in Texas

Carnival Breeze narrowly avoided failing a surprise health inspection carried out by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, receiving the minimum score required to pass.

The unannounced Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) inspection was conducted on May 14, 2026, while the ship was docked in Galveston, Texas. The vessel received a final score of 86, with CDC regulations classifying any score of 85 or below as a failed inspection.

Inspectors documented 36 separate deficiencies during the review, including issues related to food safety, sanitation practices, and storage procedures in both passenger and crew areas.

One of the findings involved two crew members who reportedly showed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis but continued working until their shifts ended. According to the inspection report, both individuals were later recorded in the ship’s medical log and reported to the medical center after completing work.

Officials also identified multiple food safety concerns in galleys and dining areas throughout the ship. In one instance, inspectors found that crew members had not properly labeled or monitored potentially hazardous foods being managed under time control procedures in crew dining and buffet areas. The report noted that some food items remained available beyond the time limits allowed under the ship’s own food safety guidelines. Inspectors also found milk still being served at a crew beverage station after its required disposal time had expired.

Additional concerns included improper food storage inside a walk-in cooler, where raw chicken, raw steak, ready-to-eat pepperoni, and raw shrimp were stacked incorrectly, creating a possible cross-contamination risk. The issue was corrected while inspectors were onboard.

Other violations included a crew member storing a personal water bottle inside a waiter station, improperly stored wet potable water containers, and a can of butane placed above clean knives in a galley storage area.

Inspectors also observed a fly landing on food being served to passengers, with the affected item reportedly remaining in service until inspectors instructed staff to remove it.

Smaller sanitation issues included a martini glass that still contained food residue after cleaning and a chipped wine glass that inspectors determined could not be adequately sanitized because of the damage.

Despite the low score, Carnival Breeze officially passed the inspection.

The ship has generally maintained a strong inspection record over the years, including five perfect scores of 100. Earlier in 2026, the vessel received a perfect CDC inspection score during a previous review conducted on January 17. Prior to this latest inspection, the ship’s only failed CDC inspection occurred in 2017.