A recent restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., resulted in significant layoffs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), eliminating several vital public health programs. Among them was the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, which includes the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP)—a key initiative that inspects cruise ships and helps manage illness outbreaks like norovirus.
This move comes at a concerning time, with multiple norovirus outbreaks reported on cruise ships in 2025, including several on Holland America Line vessels. The VSP is essential in ensuring cruise ships meet public health standards through surprise inspections and enforcement of corrective actions for any violations. The CDC also makes inspection reports and outbreak data publicly available, helping travelers make informed decisions.
Although the program’s future is now uncertain, Secretary Kennedy said some mistakenly cut programs will be reinstated and that others might continue under different divisions as part of the department’s restructuring. An HHS spokesperson added that the agency is consolidating overlapping programs.
No official confirmation has been given yet about the VSP’s reassignment, leaving cruise passengers and health experts worried about a potential drop in sanitation standards onboard.
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