In a troubling revelation, Spencer Aronfeld, an attorney specializing in litigating against cruise lines, has drawn significant attention to the subpar conditions aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas. During a recent inspection by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the vessel was found to be just barely meeting health and safety standards.
Aronfeld, who frequently shares insights on maritime law on his TikTok channel under the username @cruiseshiplawyer, highlighted critical health violations found during the CDC’s routine inspection. Notably, the report indicated that the cruise ship stored raw eggs and raw hamburgers improperly, which poses significant food safety risks.
Additionally, concerns were raised about the hygiene practices of staff members at Johnny Rockets, a restaurant on board. Employees with open wounds were reportedly handling ice with their bare hands, increasing the risk of contamination.
The situation was exacerbated by reports of gastrointestinal issues among several children in the daycare centers on the ship. Protocols for dealing with such incidents, including necessary referrals to the medical center and mandatory reporting to the CDC, were not followed. According to Aronfeld, this oversight potentially allowed a contagious norovirus to spread among passengers, affecting both the children’s parents and other guests.
During the inspection, the CDC assigned the Symphony of the Seas a score of 86, which Aronfeld argues is just barely satisfactory. He pointed out that a score one point lower would have deemed the vessel unsatisfactory, possibly leading to the cancellation of its upcoming cruise.
The financial implications for Royal Caribbean are significant, as addressing these issues is estimated to cost around $65,000. Despite this, Aronfeld noted in a follow-up video that as of February 21, the cruise line had yet to submit a corrective action report required by the CDC, suggesting that the necessary improvements might not have been made.
The attorney expressed concerns that the ship continues to operate with passengers on board without adequate resolution of these issues, and he criticized the cruise line for not reporting the necessary corrections to the CDC.
Aronfeld’s exposure of these conditions has stirred reactions among his followers, with many expressing disappointment and concern over the standards maintained by Royal Caribbean. Comments ranged from comparisons unfavorably highlighting other cruise lines reputed for better hygiene and safety standards, to outright critiques of the cruise ship industry’s cleanliness.
These revelations serve as a reminder of the importance of stringent health and safety standards within the cruise industry, particularly as these ships carry thousands of passengers in close quarters over extended periods.
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