The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for cruise ship safety.
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Complaints about cruisesIf the problem is not resolved, contact the Federal Maritime Commission by email at [email protected] or download, fill out, and mail or fax their cruise dispute services request form.
You must file your lawsuit at the cruise line's headquarters. Despite being highly inconvenient for passengers who live out of state or even in a different country, cruise ship liability waivers state that injured passengers must file claims in the state of the company's headquarters.
The Cruise Vessel Safety & Security Act (CVSSA) of 2010 requires cruise ships calling on U.S. port to report certain shipboard crimes to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Many people point to U.S. tax avoidance because ships are flagged in foreign countries. While being foreign-flagged doesn't hurt, the tax benefits — especially federal income taxes — seem to be a big reason cruise companies are incorporated in foreign nations instead of the United States.
Seek Medical Attention in Ship InfirmaryFor injured passengers or crew members while still in navigable waters, this usually means going to the ship medical center and getting prompt medical treatment from the ship medical staff. This is also an opportunity for documenting what happened.
Minor rules that get broken may not result in you going to the ship's brig. Often, minor offenses will result in a person simply being remanded to their cabin with security outside to ensure they don't leave. But when serious crimes occur, the captain may feel it necessary to put the person in the brig.
Once a cruise ship sets sail, they are then governed by maritime law, which is responsible for regulating all vessels in both domestic, and international waters. The exact jurisdiction of a specific crime depends on how far it should occur from land, and the territory it occurs within.
While surprisingly rare, there are valid circumstances in which a cardholder might legitimately dispute a cruise package purchase. For example, if the cabin differed greatly from what the buyer paid for, a chargeback may be appropriate.
In 2023, a decade-high number of cruise ships have reported an unwelcome passenger on board: norovirus. Outbreaks of the stomach bug have surged on cruise ships this year, reaching the highest levels seen in 10 years.