CDC cruise ship inspectors

When asked to name the germiest surfaces on cruise ships, one might think about commonly touched areas such as doorknobs, stair railings or elevator buttons.

While these places have been known to transfer illness-causing germs such as norovirus — as the CDC warned earlier this year — a microbiologist has revealed a far more surprising source of contamination.

Microbiologist Jason Tetro told the Reader’s Digest that private hot tubs on ships are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. In October 2024, these private hot tubs on the balconies of guests were linked to multiple outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease on cruise ships. These outbreaks were linked back to two cruise ships on different cruise lines.

In a year rife with outbreaks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vessel Sanitation Program’s workforce has been entirely slashed.

All full-time employees with the program have been laid off, a move that will greatly impact the agency’s ability to investigate outbreaks and conduct health inspections on cruise ships, according to reporting from CBS Miami. The team inspects large vessels at least twice a year.

The dismissals are a part of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s plan to issue layoffs to public health agency employees. This plan includes over 2,400 employees at the CDC. Despite the cuts, officials with the Department of Health and Human Services claims that the cruise ship work “will be able to continue.”

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