Poor hygiene

Report reveals: The “dirtiest” ocean liners

Due to the contact with new environments and many people, passengers on a cruise are exposed to an increased risk of illness.(Bild: AFP/Daniel Slim)

Anyone who goes on a trip can experience something - and gastrointestinal illnesses are often one of them. They pose a serious risk, especially on cruise ships that do not take hygiene very seriously. A recent report reveals which ocean liners are particularly "dirty" and therefore potential breeding grounds for pathogens.

Gastrointestinal illnesses such as norovirus can have serious consequences anywhere, but especially on cruise ships, where thousands of people can be crammed into a comparatively small space, sometimes for weeks at a time, making it easy for pathogens to spread without appropriate hygiene measures.