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Home » Consumer Information » Cruise Ship Safety

Cruise Ship Passenger Rights

All cruise ship injury cases are dictated by a statute of limitations. This means that there are laws in place that allot a certain window of time for an injury victim or their family (if a death is involved) to file a lawsuit against the cruise line. If you fail to make a claim during the specified timeframe, you no longer have the right to receive compensation for the damages incurred.

In general, all companies involved with the cruise industry state on their passenger tickets that all claims must be filed in Miami, FL. Cruise lines usually ask that customers notify them of the ensuing lawsuit no more than six months after the incident and file that suit within a year. If you or someone important to you have been injured or suffered some sort of loss due to some misfortune on a cruise ship, take these steps immediately:

  1. Document the accident with as much detail as you can remember.
  2. Take pictures of the scene of the mishap, and if possible, photograph what was responsible for the injury.
  3. Record names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses, whether they are passengers or members of the cruise ship staff.
  4. Do not rely on the cruise line to grant access to the names of crewmembers. You will have better luck asking the employee yourself for their name and job title. If they are willing, take a picture of the worker so that they can be easily identified.

If you are given medical attention during your stay on the ship, keep track of the names of physicians and nurses that you come into contact with. It is not uncommon for passengers who are injured or fall ill to be transferred to a medical facility at a foreign port. At this point, do not expect the cruise line to support you any further. If you chose not to purchase cruise insurance up front, the cruise line essentially washes its hands of you, and you become responsible for any medical expenses. Even worse, if you are out of the country, your personal health insurance provider may refuse coverage. As a result, it is a good idea to refresh your memory in terms of what your health insurance policy will provide you prior to sailing.

One of the most important things you should avoid is giving out any significant information about the incident to cruise ship staff or representatives; the last thing they want to do is help you file a claim stemming from their own negligence. Instead, seek the advice of a qualified attorney to assist you with your case and answer any questions relating to it. Make all of your paperwork accessible to the lawyer. Also, don't forget to save all of receipts for any payments you have made that are a direct result of the injury.

Taking a cruise is a scenic and relaxing way to vacation, but if you are unfortunate enough to suffer an injury or other setback, it is likely that you may be left to fend for yourself. You will not be victimized if you follow the previous recommendations.