Cruise ship mold, air quality, and travel experiences
Posted by K.G. · 7/19/2026
That’s disgusting. I’d sleep in the Windjammer before I breathed in those endotoxins from sewage.
37 comments
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Member · 7/19/2026
Everyone is always surprised when I tell them that old is not necessarily bad…
Member · 7/19/2026
Thank you for this post because planning a cruise and need to consider the ship air quality!
Member · 7/19/2026
I did well on a cruise too. Go for it!
Member · 7/19/2026
Check how old the ship is. I posted recently about the Disney Wonder and it was so moldy. Since this mold journey I had only been on the newer Disney ships with no issues but didnt realize the Wonder could be moldy since it was older and it was not a pleasant week
Member · 7/19/2026
I did Enchanted Princess in 2024 and was fine. I was so worried because I joined a facebook group for that specific boat prior to the cruise and when they were in the Caribbean there were reports of condensation literally all over the walls. We did a New England cruise a few months later and I didn’t have any issues. I think it helps that they have people cleaning constantly.
Member · 7/19/2026
I’ve been fine on all our cruises, but we tend to do newer ships.
Member · 7/19/2026
Went on 2 RC cruises in the past 2 years (older ships). Had some mold in my a/c, but it's the best I've felt in years! Unfortunately the last so had a sewage problem, though. Should have gotten compensated for not being able to get any fresh air as the sewage smell was coming up from under my balcony.
Member · 7/19/2026
I went on one in Greece, and it was moldy in our room and some other places on the ship. We are taking a cruise soon on viking... hoping it isnt moldy!
Member · 7/19/2026
I have felt good on almost every ship I’ve been on (except Carnival) and I’ve been on a lot because I’m a travel agent! I think a lot of it has to due with the fresh air, sunshine, movement and more relaxed nervous system as well. Travel is where I have found my greatest healing
Member · 7/19/2026
This would not only be a mold nightmare probably but definitely a MCS nightmare sharing ac system and being packed in like sardines with laundry scents and perfume and cologne. I will NEVER.
Member · 7/19/2026
B.R. talks about good experiences too.
Member · 7/19/2026
I did really well on Sun Princess, felt great!
Member · 7/19/2026
We are on star of the seas. New ship and I’m doing great!!
Member · 7/19/2026
We do great on cruises but I go on ships that are less than 5 years old. We just did Star of the Seas about a month ago and did great, though I feel the best in Greece in the Mediterranean
Member · 7/19/2026
My mom & step-dad went in a gluten free cruise but many years ago. Just thought I’d mention there has been that overlay as well in case that is important. I’ve never thought about going on the larger ships, but your posts are encouraging. Seeing I’m living out of a hotel room now, why not travel too?!
Member · 7/19/2026
I have MCAS and just did a royal carribean cruise. I encountered no mold except for the hotel room the night before boarding the boat.
Member · 7/19/2026
Wow I envy you all. I get so anxious and nauseous in boats. When waves or storms come
Member · 7/19/2026
We have done 3 Disney cruises, all different ships, and had great success on each!
Member · 7/19/2026
So happy for you!
Member · 7/19/2026
I am surprised so many with CIRS would risk this. Maybe you didn't get too sick from your houses or initial poisonings? It's such a risk and not easy to get away from once you are on the cruise. I was severely poisoned through my HVAC system so I stay away from HVACs. I left the US and will only live with individual a/c units on the wall.
Member · 7/19/2026
2021 built ship on Royal Caribbean (Odyssey). There is so much fresh air, the ship was so clean, and I felt great. Did I mention fresh air? We did have a balcony room.
Member · 7/19/2026
What are some experiences flying long flights to Europe with CIRS from the U.S.?
Member · 7/19/2026
I just got back from a cruise to Alaska. We were on the Norwegian Jade. The ship was great but our room wasn’t. We had no balcony and we were by the laundry so our room was very fragranced. I will be willing to try again but a balcony with fresh air is a must. I have also been on 2 river cruises in Europe and was completely fine.
Member · 7/19/2026
I would have to ask for a balcony ... and not have to fly. Maybe I'm more sensitive than some. I wouldnt' want to have to wear my respirator all the time. I also like to eat organic food, and not sure about food and oils on the cruise ship. I'm happy to read all the good reports.. I think the fresh sea air would be great. I did phone a couple cruise ships and asked about - changing rooms once aboard and about their cleaning and fragrance policies. None offered a refund if I boarded and then had to leave. I was on board a cruise where a couple people were airlifted off the ship.. due to reaction to the chemicals. I have loved cursing in the past, but I am not in a position to take this risk myself.
Member · 7/19/2026
We love RC for cruises and have always felt great!
Member · 7/19/2026
Celebrity is our favorite
Member · 7/19/2026
I do well also. I had a balcony room that helps a lot. I think celebrity line is pretty consistent in their upkeep of their ships.
Member · 7/19/2026
You couldn't pay me to risk my life on a cruise ship vacation.
Member · 7/19/2026
I will only travel on newer ships. I also research what ships have flooded due to pipes busting etc and will not step foot on them bc of it.
Member · 7/19/2026
Before I been had this illness and was sensitized I went on 2 cruises, on brand new (at the time) ships by royal Caribbean. One in 2001 for my honeymoon. I remember feeling tired and achy and not wanting to go on our excursions that we paid for up front. Once I got out of the shop I always felt better though. I went again on the same ship- now 2 years old- with a friend and her husband, a couples trip in 2003. We had a balcony this time so I was able to get fresh air. But it felt so damp in our room and I couldn’t sleep. By the end of the trip I was exhausted. I got an ear infection, so I thought and almost skipped an excursion on a catamaran. My friend convinced me to go and once I got out I was fine. Felt great on the catamaran. Our room was squeaking too so we complained and were moved to an exclusive suite on the 9th floor. We had been on the 6th floor prior. I got extremely nauseous in the other room and we went back to our original squeaky room. This was before I got sick and had no idea about mold. Knowing what i know now I don’t think I’d go on another cruise. Especially with the crazy viruses and diseases that can happen in close contained quarters. I also have a friend whose father had a heart attack in a cruise ship and died. I’ll never forget that. If there’s an emergency you’re screwed.
Member · 7/19/2026
I’ve been in Viking & Holland America multiple times with no problems, felt great on both! May you have healthy journeys ahead
Member · 7/19/2026
Our home was brand new and grew mold so old is not bad.
Member · 7/19/2026
I did the NCL Prima and felt great, just got off the NCL Bliss and did well also. I always get a balcony and leave the slider opened as much as possible. I also bring a compact air purifier. I felt fantastic both trips.Even in Iceland. Thermal spa on the Bliss was near the aft and smelled like engine fumes. It was also having mechanical issues so possibly related. I like to be in a room before the exhaust stack and away from the smoking section and casino as I am very reactive to fumes as well. Best of luck!
Member · 7/19/2026
I used to work on cruise ships. I always felt way better on the ships then at home. Can't vouch for all ships but overall it's a good environment for me.
Member · 7/19/2026
I think a lot of it is based on where the cruise is going. I've had towels that smell like mildew in the Caribbean and muggy feeling rooms, even though the air conditioner is turned very low. The ship smelled like mildew in many areas. More than one ship, too. I've been on several cruises to tropical places and it's often the same.
Member · 7/19/2026
I actually feel like a cruise would be better as long as you had a balcony. All that fresh air! Also salt water cleanses the air outside as well.
Member · 7/19/2026
We sail ships 1 to 4 yrs old with a balcony cabin. We ask that our sheets are changed daily (due to actinos) and tip accordingly. I do well cruising with the newer ships ...hesitant to sail older ones.