Crystal Serenity Earns Perfect CDC Health Score

When it comes to cruise ship inspections, perfection isn’t common, not even for luxury lines. But last month in Boston, Crystal Serenity did exactly that, scoring a flawless 100 during its unannounced U.S. Public Health (U.S.P.H.) inspection conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Crystal Serenity cruise ship in Boston after earning a perfect CDC health inspection score — Crystal announced today that Crystal Serenity scored a perfect score of 100 during the ship’s recent United States Public Health (U.S.P.H.) inspection conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For context, these inspections are no small thing. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program covers 44 separate checkpoints, evaluating everything from galley cleanliness and food storage to the chemical balance in pools and hot tubs. One slip-up — a mislabeled bottle, an off-temperature fridge, a missed spot in a prep area — can drop a ship’s score. Scoring 100 means the ship’s hotel and operations teams were dialed in to the smallest detail, a reflection of the brand’s renewed focus on excellence as it looks ahead to its first new ship in 25 years.

A Symbol of Crystal’s Rebirth

This inspection wasn’t just another routine test; it marked Serenity’s first return to North American waters since her Mediterranean season and one of the latest milestones in Crystal’s ongoing comeback story.

After the brand’s collapse under Genting and its subsequent acquisition by Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, Crystal had something to prove. The 2023 refurbishment of Serenity wasn’t just cosmetic. It was a reset of the brand’s DNA, built on precision, accountability, and service consistency. A perfect U.S.P.H. score validates that the relaunch focused on execution as much as aesthetics.

Bernie Leypold, Crystal’s Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, credited the crew’s discipline and dedication:

“This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication of our senior officers and crew, who work tirelessly each day to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and service. A perfect score is a true testament to their professionalism and passion for delivering the exceptional Crystal experience our guests have come to expect.”

Excellence by Design

Accommodating 740 guests, Crystal Serenity has become one of the most refined mid-sized ships sailing today. Its lineup of culinary venues includes Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa—still the only Nobu restaurant at sea—Beefbar, and Osteria d’Ovidio from the Michelin-starred Alajmo brothers. Even the ship’s casino carries a touch of Monaco flair under the name Le Casino de Monte-Carlo.

Umi Uma sushi chefs working at the only Nobu restaurant at sea — I had the pleasure of dining at Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa during my Crystal Symphony review in 2023. Photo credit: Joe’s Daily

But luxury alone doesn’t earn a perfect score. The result speaks to an operational mindset that values discipline as much as design. For a ship operating at this level, service is theater, but behind the curtain, it’s pure systems and precision.

Setting the Standard

With Serenity currently sailing through New England and Canada before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale for the Caribbean season, the timing of this milestone couldn’t be better. The ship will host Crystal’s final 35th Anniversary voyage on October 22, a fitting celebration for a brand proving it’s not just back, but back at its best.

A perfect health score might not make for flashy marketing, but in the world of cruising, it’s one of the purest measures of excellence there is. And for Crystal Serenity, it’s proof that the new era of Crystal isn’t about reclaiming its old reputation. It’s about setting a new standard.