The Cleanest Cruise Lines: Ranking the Top 5 for 2025

Cleanliness has become a central consideration for today’s cruise travelers. With thousands of passengers sharing onboard spaces, maintaining rigorous health and sanitation standards is essential—not just for comfort, but for confidence. Fortunately, several cruise lines excel in this area, regularly earning top marks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Here’s a clear look at the cleanest cruise lines, ranked from 5 to 1, based on the most recent CDC Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) scores and consistency across fleets.

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#5 – Holland America Line

Holland America Line earns its place among the cleanest cruise lines thanks to consistent performance across its mid-sized fleet. With many ships scoring in the high 90s on CDC health inspections, this legacy brand continues to meet rigorous cleanliness standards while offering a more traditional, elegant style of cruising.

The line emphasizes well-maintained public areas, meticulous food safety protocols, and attentive housekeeping. While it may not have as many perfect 100 scores as others on this list, its steady, high marks make Holland America a dependable choice—especially for mature travelers seeking both calm and cleanliness.

Why it stands out:

• High-scoring CDC inspection results across multiple ships
• Strong reputation for orderliness and classic service
• Emphasis on quiet, less crowded ships ideal for health-conscious travelers

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#4 – Virgin Voyages

A standout among the cleanest cruise lines, Virgin Voyages brings a fresh approach to cruising—with hygiene at the core of its modern, minimalist experience. Its fleet of new, adults-only ships consistently earns perfect or near-perfect CDC inspection scores, helped by cutting-edge design and streamlined onboard operations.

Virgin’s smaller ship size and focus on wellness-forward travel make it easier to maintain strict sanitation practices. Touchless check-ins, open dining, and reduced buffet traffic all contribute to a cleaner, more controlled onboard environment.

Why it stands out:

• New ships designed with cleanliness and efficiency in mind
• Adults-only cruising reduces high-touch public usage
• Multiple perfect scores in CDC sanitation inspections

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#3 – Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line is widely regarded as one of the cleanest cruise lines—a reputation built on its meticulous attention to detail and family-first standards. With a strong track record of perfect and near-perfect CDC inspection scores, Disney maintains a spotless environment across its fleet.

From continuous cleaning schedules to dedicated sanitation staff and robust health protocols, Disney ensures that every touchpoint—especially in kid-friendly areas—is rigorously maintained. It's a top choice for families who place a premium on cleanliness without compromising on experience.

Why it stands out:

• Consistently high sanitation scores across its fleet
• Family-focused hygiene protocols and visible safety measures
• Exceptionally clean kids' clubs, dining venues, and common areas

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#2 – Explora Journeys

As one of the newest entrants in the luxury cruise market, Explora Journeys has quickly distinguished itself as one of the cleanest cruise lines—achieving a flawless average in recent CDC inspections. With a small, ultra-premium fleet and fewer passengers per voyage, Explora delivers a meticulous, high-touch approach to cleanliness.

Every aspect of the guest experience is designed with precision, from immaculate suites to thoughtfully maintained public spaces. While its data set is smaller due to fleet size, the brand’s early performance sets a high bar for luxury cruising with exceptional hygiene standards.

Why it stands out:

• Perfect CDC inspection scores in early sailings
• Small ship size allows for detailed, consistent sanitation
• Luxury-level service reinforces high cleanliness expectations

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#1 – Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Norwegian Cruise Line leads the industry as the top-ranked among the cleanest cruise lines, earning more perfect CDC inspection scores than any other brand in 2024. With a large and diverse fleet, NCL's ability to maintain such consistent cleanliness across multiple vessels is a standout achievement.

The line's commitment to hygiene extends beyond inspections—it’s integrated into their operations, from advanced air filtration systems to enhanced onboard sanitation protocols. Whether sailing on one of their newest mega-ships or a mid-sized vessel, guests can expect high standards across the board.

Why it stands out:

• Most 100-point CDC scores of any cruise line in recent inspections
• Proven consistency across a large, global fleet
• Transparent commitment to sanitation and guest health

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