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Quantum of the Seas
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean »
NOTABLE EVENT: sexual assault
On Dec. 23, 2014 a 25-year-old crew member pled guilty to entering the room of a female passenger and sexually assaulting her while she was sleeping.
Health
Federal health inspectors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention inspect cruise ships twice a year, checking everything from kitchen equipment to dishwasher temperatures, and grade ships based on what they find. A score below 86 is considered failing. Cruise ships are also required to report all illness outbreaks affecting more than 3% of passengers or crew to the CDC. Inspections and outbreaks from 2010 to the present are shown below.
Health Scores & Inspections
94/100
Health Score: Mar 2015
Highest: 98 | Lowest: 94
56
Deficiencies (found in 2 inspections).
Illness Outbreaks
None Reported
Health Scores & Inspections: Details
Inspection on Mar 31, 2015 | Score: 94
Buffet-Crew Mess
A used wiping cloth was stored in an empty bucket, and not stored in a sanitizing solution. This was corrected.
Galley-Dishwash
Condensation was noted on the deckhead above the soiled end of the in-use dishwasher.
Galley-Cafe 270
The dishwasher was out of order; a work order was submitted on 22 March, which stated parts were be delivered 2 May.
Preparation Room-Fish Preparation
Dripping was observed from the deckhead-mounted cooling unit onto the preparation counter. This area was not in use.
Preparation Room-Fish Preparation
Dripping was observed from the deckhead-mounted cooling unit onto the preparation counter. This area was not in use.
Provisions-Deck 2
Boxes of food were stored beneath an insect trap in a provisions corridor. The food was removed.
Provisions-Dairy Walk-in Refrigerator
Three individual cartons of milk and a container of yogurt had internal temperatures between 45° and 48°F; these items were taken from different locations in the refrigerator. The refrigeration engineer reported the refrigerator was in a defrost cycle.
Galley-Deck 3- Grande
The temperature of the handwash station at the Grande main galley entrance was 140°F, and was unable to be adjusted by the user. This was corrected.
Galley-Deck 3- Grande Pantry
Used wiping cloths were stored in an empty bucket, and not stored in a sanitizing solution. This was corrected.
Galley-Deck 3- Combination Ovens
Condensation was observed on the deckhead above the combination ovens. Management had identified this issue and had a corrective action plan in place. A December claim stated the combination oven exhaust pipes would be extended to be closer to the hood to prevent this issue.
Dining Room-Bamboo Menu
No asterisk was observed on the dish 'Rare seared tuna' on the Bamboo menu to indicate a public health advisory for consumers. This was corrected.
Galley-Deck 4- Pot Wash
Excessive steam was observed coming from the soiled end of the potwash.
Galley-Izumi- Show Galley
The display refrigerators were on time control, but the food was not labeled with 4-hour discard labels and the area was open. The time between set-up and discard was over 4 hours. Raw fish was stored in these refrigerators.
Galley-Sorrentos- Show Galley
The undercounter refrigerators were on time control, but the food was not labeled with 4-hour discard labels and the area was open. The time between set-up and discard was over 4 hours. Pizza was stored in these refrigerators on trays. A 4-hour discard label was attached outside the undercounter refrigerator and not on the individual trays.
Galley-Dog House
The display warmers were on time control, but the food containers stored inside were not labeled with 4-hour discard labels and the area was open. The time between set-up and discard was over 4 hours. Containers of potentially hazardous foods were stored in these warmers.
Galley-Devinly Decadence
Two upright refrigerators were out of service. Staff reported these units had been out of order for 5 days.
Buffet-Devinly Decadence - Hot Buffet
A large hole was observed near the deck at the bulkhead juncture at the starboard corner of the hot buffet where the stainless steel profile below the cabinet door joins the bulkhead. This was noted on the last inspection.
Dining Room-Devinly Decadence
No asterisk was observed on the dish 'Drippy ahi tacos' on the menu to indicate a public health advisory for consumers. This was corrected.
Galley-Deck 4- Bakery
The temperature of the handwash station at the Grande main galley entrance was 128°F, and was unable to be adjusted by the user. This was corrected.
Medical-Crew Late Reporting
A galley worker had gastrointestinal illness (GI) onset on 3/28 at1930 and did not report to the medical center until 3/29 at 1019. It was documented by the ship that the worker was on duty in the interim and disciplinary action was taken.
Galley-Deck 14 - Johnny Rockets
A food worker without a hair restraint was observed behind the food preparation counter.
Galley-Deck 14 - Johnny Rockets
The wiping cloth sanitizer solution was heavily soiled.
Potable Water-Cross-connection Control Program
The list of backflow prevention devices for the crew and guest cabins indicated that there were two atmospheric vacuum breakers in each cabin, but it was not indicated which connection these devices were protected. Staff explained that these were the devices for the shower hose and toilet in each cabin.
Potable Water-Pipe Replacement Log
The log for the pipe replacement that occurred on 16 March 2015 for a leaking pipe indicated that the pipe was sanitized at 100 ppm free halogen residual for 5 minutes. Staff stated that they had followed the emergency procedure of 200 ppm for 1 hour and that the log was incorrect. The log had been signed by the supervisor.
Potable Water-Pipe Replacement Log
The log for the pipe replacement that occurred on 16 March 2015 for a leaking pipe indicated that the pipe was sanitized at 100 ppm free halogen residual for 5 minutes. Staff stated that they had followed the company policy of 200 ppm for 1 hour and that the log was incorrect. The log had been signed by the supervisor.
Other-Engine Control Room
The milk refrigerator on the coffee machine was on time control. The refrigerator had a discard label with a time of 1130. The inspector was in the area at 1630. The staff stated that the label indicated the time the milk was placed in the refrigerator and not the discard time. This meant that the milk should have been discarded at 1530 and was 45 minutes past the discard time.
Other-Engine Control Room
A bucket with cleaning supplies, including a brush and chemical tablets for the coffee machine, were stored in a cabinet at the coffee station next to a bag of coffee beans and below a shelf with boxes of sweetener packets.
Other-Engine Control Room
A bucket with cleaning supplies, including a brush and chemical tablets for the coffee machine, were stored in a cabinet at the coffee station next to a bag of coffee beans and below a shelf with boxes of sweetener packets.
Other-Engine Control Room
Coving was missing at the deck/cabinet juncture at the coffee station.
Pantry-Sky/Pool
The time control plan did not state that the ice wells in the front bar counters were on time control. Items on time control were in the ice well during the inspection. This was corrected.
Pantry-Bionic
The potable water line into the carbonator for the soda system had two single check valves installed in a line instead of an approved double check valve with an intermediate atmospheric vent.
Other-Deck 2 Spares Access Shell Gate Corridor Outside Hotel Maintenance Office
Eleven closed mini-bar trolleys containing bottled beverages and other mini-bar items such as candy were stored in this corridor. The deckhead was open with exposed pipes, cables and ducts, and the bulkhead behind and above had exposed cables.
Other-Deck 2 Spares Access Shell Gate Corridor Outside Hotel Maintenance Office
Eleven closed mini-bar trolleys containing bottled beverages and other mini-bar items such as candy were stored in this corridor. The deckhead was open with exposed pipes, cables and ducts, and the bulkhead behind and above had exposed cables.
Inspection on Dec 20, 2014 | Score: 98
Bar-Bionic Bar
The Bionic Bar was in operation during the inspection and the inspectors observed both robots preparing drinks for passengers. A variety of spilled driink liquids were noted on the deck/counter below the deckhead mounted alcohol bottles. Droplets of clear liquids were also observed on the deck. Staff indicated this spillage was due to the absence of ice in the drink cups from the drinks made previously. When a robot poured a drink from the stainless steel shaker into a plastic cup, dripping was observed from the edge of the shaker to the deck/counter below. The robotic components on the arm surface, including wires and tubing, dragged across the deck as the robot prepared drinks. In addition, these robotic components are considered difficult to clean. At the back bulkhead, a loose cup and cut limes were observed lying on the deck as a result from a faulty robot operation. In conclusion, the robots proved to be an uncontrolled operation. A variance is pending for the Bionic Bar and will be reviewed by VSP. The construction inspection report addressed many of these same issues.
Potable Water-Production Records
The pH was over 7.8 on the 8 and 9 November production records for 16 hours. Staff reported this occurred during the crossing and was due to the switchover from carbon dioxide to the sulfuric acid backup system.
Potable Water-Striping
The water line was striped blue green blue in two places before the production chlorine injection point.
Potable Water-Whirlpool Machinery Rooms
The air gaps supplying potable water to the deck 13 forward Infinity whirlpools compensation tank and deck 15 aft port/starboard whirlpools compensation tanks were not twice the diameter of the supply lines. This was corrected.
Ventilation-Striping
The potable water hose connections in all the fan rooms were not striped blue or blue green blue.
Integrated Pest Management-Incoming Shipment Inspections
incoming shipments of fresh flowers and engine parts were not inspected for pests. Staff reported housekeeping received the flowers and the store keeper received the engine parts, and these departments were not conducting or documenting pest inspections.
Bar-Deck 3 - Casino Bar
Four dirty glasses were in the handwash sink at this bar. The bar was closed and no passengers were in the area.
Galley-Deck 3- Chic and Deck 4 - American Icon
Black smudges were observed on clean china plates in Chic and American Icon. The inspector was able to remove the smudge with an alcohol swab. These smudges were only observed on white china plates.
Galley-Deck 5 - Wonderland
In the blast chiller log from 17 December an item called montigon (an onion and vegetable mixture) was chilled to 66°F after 2 hours, and no other entries were recorded for final cooling to at least 41°F.
Galley-Deck 4 - Sorentos
Water was dripping from a sealed technical space to the right of the deep fat fry area and was pooling on the deck. The source of the leak was uncertain.
Bar-Deck 14 - Sky Bar
A plastic glass on the front bar, ready for service, had soil in the lip rim area. This soil appeared to be lipstick residue and was removable with an alcohol pad. None of the other 10+ plastic glasses examined in this bar had similar soil. The glass was removed for rewashing.
Bar-Deck 14 - Sky/Pool Bar Pantry
A large insulated plastic beverage dispenser, which had been stored as clean, had a small amount of dried food soil on its interior. The dispensing nozzle for this dispenser also had black residue on the valve gasket. The dispenser was returned to the warewash area.
Bar-Deck 14 - Sky/Pool Bar Pantry
Water was pooled on the deck in the walkway between reach-in coolers # 1440127 and # 1440128. Staff thought it might not have been removed from the pantry during the deck cleaning operation. No leak was found from the adjacent plumbing or equipment. The water was removed before the inspection team left the area.
Buffet-Windjammer - 24 Hour Grill
A wet wiping cloth was set on the handwash basin between uses. A second wet wiping cloth was observed on an undercounter shelf below the front service counter. A sanitizing solution was prepared and placed beside this wet cloth.
Galley-Windjammer Galley - Dishwash
An excessive amount of soiled plates, glassware, bowls, and utensils was observed throughout the dishwash area. All the functional soiled counter space was overflowing with stacked dishware, in a manner which prevented use of the four pre-wash spray hoses. Additionally, stacked soiled items completely filled the opposite tray rail, and several soaking bins, deck stands, and trolleys were filled with soiled items along the bulkhead opposite the soiled landing counters. One staff member, who was attempting to pre-wash cups in a dish tray, set the tray on top of other cups near the edge of the soiled counter and sprayed from this position. The deck was wet throughout the soiled area from these type of operations. Lastly, the conveyor glasswash machine was on, but the soiled items and the waste materials from them were stacked all the way against the opening of the machine, making it inoperable.
Other-Johnny Rockets - Grill Section
The power cord to the counter model conveyor toaster was draped on the counter, making cleaning difficult.
Other-Johnny Rockets - Grill Section
The posted time as a public health control plan did not identify the two counter mounted hot soup wells used for holding cheese dip. Staff corrected the control plan during inspection.
Buffet-Devinly Decadence Buffet
A large hole was observed present near the deck at the bulkhead juncture at the starboard corner of the hot buffet where the stainless steel profile below the cabinet door joins the bulkhead. Additionally, an unfinished profile was observed at the lower edge of the bulkhead between the buffet counter and beverage counter, with a sharp and very rough surface remaining.
Galley-Devinly Decadence Galley -Dishwash
The stainless steel deflector on the soiled entry of the conveyor dishwash machine directed steam from the machine into the face of the worker loading the dishwash, and the steam was directed beyond the capture hood and intake for that hood directly above the soiled entry. This observation was made in other areas during the construction inspection.
Galley-Devinly Decadence Galley -Dishwash
During active use of the conveyor dishwash machine, the low final rinse temperature light and display activated to indicate alarm. Staff stated this light and alarm tend to activate and deactivate often. During the temperature evaluation, the inspector and ship staff observed a thermometer held in the dish level stream of the final sanitizing rinse display temperatures from 155 °F to 164 °F. This fluctuation coincided with the alarm light and display coming on and off.
Other-Deck 12 Suite Concierge Lounge Buffet
An open screw hole was observed in the top left exterior panel on the self-service coffee/cappuccino machine. Staff taped over the hole as a temporary solution.
Other-Deck 12 Suite Concierge Lounge Pantry
A hot trolley used for back-up storage of hot potentially hazardous foods was stationed in the pantry. Staff stated that the trolley was used to hold foods under time only as a public health control. This trolley was not indicated as a time control unit in the written time control plan and it was not labeled as time control. Staff added the hot trolley to the time control plan and affixed a time control label to it during the inspection.
Galley-Devinly Decadence Galley -Dishwash
During active use of the conveyor dishwash machine, the low final rinse temperature light and display activated to indicate alarm. Staff stated this light and alarm tend to activate and deactivate often. During the temperature evaluation, the inspector and ship staff observed a thermometer held in the dish level stream of the final sanitizing rinse display temperatures from 155 °F to 164 °F. This fluctuation coincided with the alarm light and display coming on and off.
Safety
Serious crimes and injuries on cruise ships that make port in the U.S. are required to be reported to the Coast Guard. Smaller-scale crimes and thefts are reported to local police authorities (if reported at all). Incidents and inspections from 2010 to the present are shown below.
Crimes & Incidents
None Reported
Coast Guard Inspections
1
Deficiency (found in 4 inspections).
Coast Guard Inspections: Details
Inspection on Mar 26, 2015
No deficiencies found
Inspection on Mar 23, 2015
No deficiencies found
Inspection on Nov 10, 2014
No deficiencies found
Inspection on Jun 02, 2014
No deficiencies found
Crimes & Incidents: Details
CREDITS & SOURCES
Illustrations: Josh Cochran, special to ProPublica. Data: Coast Guard Port State Information eXchange, Coast Guard Incident Investigative Reports, Coast Guard Marine Casualties & Pollution Data, IMO GISIS Marine Casualties, CDC Inspections & Deficiencies, CDC Outbreaks, CruisePage Man Overboard List, Local crime reports gathered by reporters Lynn Walsh & Dan Krauth, other local crime reports. Photos: VesselFinder. Icons: Jessica Lock, Juan Pablo Bravo,Hans Gerhard Meier.
1Details in these illustrations are inspired by David Foster Wallace's A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again. References to his seven night experience aboard the Nadir are hidden throughout. How many have you seen? Psst. Here are the answers.