The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise ship, owned by the hospitality chain founded by the late Jimmy Buffett, failed a health inspection by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The unannounced inspection on May 1 resulted in a failing score of 83, where a minimum score of 86 is needed to pass.
Inspectors identified 38 areas requiring improvement, which included issues with water safety, food handling, maintenance, and sanitation. Specific complaints included overcrowded whirlpools, inadequate sanitation in water sample tests, and improper handwashing practices by staff.
One instance cited was an employee handling ice-making components with gloves stored alongside tools without clear evidence of handwashing. Additionally, water bottles were found on soiled pallets, and food preparation areas were either dirty or poorly lit. Another crew member failed to demonstrate correct use of an antimicrobial solution on fruits and vegetables.
Several kitchen appliances, such as deep fryers and refrigerators, were out of service. Lawyer Spencer Aronfeld noted the inspection shut the ship down, and a spokesperson for Margaritaville at Sea stated that immediate corrective actions were underway.
Inspections by the CDC are performed when a ship is docked at a U.S. port and can take 6-8 hours. Costs for these inspections range from $1,495 to $23,920, depending on the ship's size. Jimmy Buffett, who passed away in September, built the Margaritaville brand into a billion-dollar business synonymous with a beach lifestyle.