P&O’s Oceana failed its latest health checks by US officials when inspectors found dirty cooking utensils, sandwiches and cheeses left in hazardous conditions, and sick staff members working with food.
The spot check also led to the closure of the ship’s swimming pool and whirlpool due to the wrong levels of chlorine and bromine.
The checks in January gave the ship a score of 82, just under the acceptable limit of 85.
Inspectors reported finding unwashed dishes and cooking utensils, including a dirty meat slicer and a preparation area with a week’s build-up of food debris, dirt and what appeared to be insect remains.
Sandwiches and cheese had been left sitting in fridges in potentially hazardous temperatures and one member of the crew had been working with food for three hours despite showing systems of acute gastroenteritis.
Sister ship Oriana passed inspections even though cockroaches were found in a grill.
A P&O spokesman said: ‘We are extremely disappointed in the result of this inspection and we immediately rectified the areas identified as needing attention."
