Cruise Passenger Bill Of Rights

Cruise Passenger Bill Of Rights

Back in March, Senator Charles Schumer proposed a bill of rights be adopted by Cruise Lines International Association, and within a couple of months, that association of cruise lines did adopt a Cruise Passenger Bill of Rights. 

The  ten rights include:

1. The right to disembark a docked ship if essential provisions such as food, water, restroom facilities and access to medical care cannot adequately be provided onboard.
2. The right to a full refund for a trip that is canceled due to mechanical failures, or a partial refund for voyages that are terminated early due to those failures.
3. The right to have available on board ships operating beyond rivers or coastal waters full-time, professional emergency medical attention, as needed until shore side medical care becomes available.
4. The right to timely information updates as to any adjustments in the itinerary of the ship in the event of a mechanical failure or emergency, as well as timely updates of the status of efforts to address mechanical failures.
5. The right to a ship crew that is properly trained in emergency and evacuation procedures.
6. The right to an emergency power source in the case of a main generator failure.
7. The right to transportation to the ship’s scheduled port of disembarkation or the passenger’s home city in the event a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures.
8. The right to lodging if disembarkation and overnight stay in an unscheduled port are required when a cruise is terminated early due to mechanical failures.
9. The right to have included on each cruise line’s website a toll-free phone line that can be used for questions or information concerning any aspect of shipboard operations.
10. The right to have this Cruise Line Passenger Bill of Rights published on each line’s website.

I have tried several of the lines associated with CLIA, and they do have posted on their websites the Passenger Bill of Rights.  I haven’t seen any reference to what would happen to the cruise line who violated any of the sections of the bill, but I’m quite certain there would be “bill to pay”!!

You can be sure that the cruise lines are doing their dead-level best to make sure that all is ok regarding safety and mechanically.  Problems like those referred to above pose a tremendous cost, both in public relations and financially. 

As a part of their sales team, The Travel Factory does our best to be as honest about the cruise lines as we know to be, after all, our clients are our friends and neighbors. . we’re here when you get back!!  Locate us at 4150 Southwest Drive, or call at 698-1421 or 800-760-4040.