Residential Cruise Ship’s First CDC Inspection Ends in Failure
The residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey has failed its first U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health inspection, earning a score of just 81 out of 100 during a Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) review on July 9, 2025.
Any cruise ship scoring 85 or below is considered unsatisfactory, and inspectors cited 44 violations on board. The issues ranged from improper food storage temperatures to problems with the ship’s potable water system.
Water Purification Concerns Raise Red Flags
Several of the most serious infractions involved potable water safety. Inspection records showed chlorine levels below required standards on multiple days in June, with no corrective action taken despite testing confirming the problem.
The ship’s two swimming pools were also flagged for missing safety signs and depth markers. Safety ring ropes were too short, pool drain covers had been painted over, and neither pool had working hair and lint strainers. All hot tubs on board were out of service.
Food Storage and Cleanliness Issues
In the ship’s Deck 1 pastry prep area, inspectors found two trays of cheesecake and a tray of caramel mousse stored in a refrigerator holding at 57°F — well above the required maximum of 41°F.
At the Palms Cafe buffet, milk containers were mislabeled with incorrect discard times, and more than two dozen pieces of hot and cold food equipment were out of order. A waffle iron with black debris was stored alongside clean equipment, and the buffet’s glass-washing machine was improperly loaded, preventing thorough cleaning.
Other cleanliness issues included dead fruit flies in a Deck 5 pantry and exposed wiring above the buffet.
A Ship With a Bumpy Start
Villa Vie Odyssey began life 30 years ago, sailing under various names including Braemar for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Cunard Crown Dynasty for Cunard. Villa Vie Residences purchased the ship in 2023, converting it into a residential cruise vessel where passengers can buy cabins outright or purchase seasonal ownership.
The ship’s launch in October 2024 in Spain was delayed by months due to mechanical issues discovered during a summer dry dock refit. Currently, she is in the midst of her first planned 3.5-year world voyage.
This July inspection was the first time the vessel faced CDC review. The agency conducts unannounced inspections of any cruise ship visiting U.S. ports, though the location of the inspection was not disclosed. As of now, Villa Vie Residences has not submitted its Corrective Report to address the violations.
