Cruise Passenger Protection: Enhanced Safety, Consumer Rights, and Victim Support.
This Act significantly boosts cruise passenger protection by establishing a new federal office for consumer complaints and ensuring immediate support for crime victims, including a 24/7 hotline. A major change invalidates pre-dispute arbitration and class action waiver clauses in contracts, making it easier for passengers to seek legal recourse in court. It also mandates greater contract transparency, improved crime reporting standards, and higher physical and medical safety requirements on vessels.
Key points
Bans pre-dispute arbitration and class action waivers in cruise contracts, restoring passengers' right to sue in court for disputes.
Establishes the Office of Maritime Consumer Protection (DOT) to handle complaints, oversee cruise line compliance, and enforce regulations.
Creates a 24/7 hotline and a Director of Victim Support Services for U.S. citizens who are victims of serious crimes on board, ensuring immediate assistance.
Requires certified technology to detect passengers falling overboard and mandates higher physical security standards (e.g., railings, electronic stateroom access logs).
Mandates the publication of detailed, monthly updated data on crimes and missing persons on a government website, increasing transparency for prospective passengers.
Expired
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