Key Aspects:
- An updated version of the Cruise Passenger Protection Act has been introduced to both US houses of Congress.
- The 56-page bill covers a variety of safety, security, and guest rights issues related to crimes at sea.
- Additional revisions and updates are likely as the bill continues to be examined before it becomes law.
With viral videos and dramatic streaming shows often showing a seedier side of cruise ships, travelers might be nervous to set sail without knowing what recourse they could have if something unsavory were to occur.
Two US legislators have now introduced the Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2025 for legislative consideration. The 56-page bill covers a variety of measures to improve security, onboard safety, crime reporting, and guests’ rights.
Introduced by US Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and US Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA), the bill is aimed at the well-being of all passengers and provides peace of mind that their rights are preserved even at sea.
“Cruises should be a time of rest and relaxation – but a dream vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare if there are inadequate safety measures for travelers,” said Blumenthal.
“Cruises are billed as safe, family-friendly vacations – but when emergencies happen, passengers still lack the rights and protections they deserve,” Matsui added.
Provisions that are part of the Act include:
- A 3-year minimum statue of limitations for travelers to file a lawsuit against a cruise line
- Defining which types of complaints guests may register against a cruise line
- Establishing a victim support services office to help impacted travelers
- Directing that crime data, including overboard incidents, is more readily available
- Guidelines for when and how crimes must be reported, including crime scene preservation
The bill will apply to any ship that “has overnight accommodates for 250 or more passengers” and “is on a voyage that embarks or disembarks passengers in the United States.”
This means that ships on transpacific or transatlantic cruises would still be obligated to abide by the law, even if they are on one-way journeys away from the US.
When Will the Bill Become a Law?
A great deal of editing, adjusting, and compromise is sure to be made on the bill as it moves through committees as part of the legislative process.
Still, it is a good effort to ensure that cruise guests retain their protections even after they set sail into international waters.
“The International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) strongly supports the newly reintroduced legislation in both chambers of Congress aimed at protecting the safety, dignity, and fundamental rights of cruise ship passengers,” said Jamie Barnett, Laurie Dishman, and Georgia Ananias of ICV.
It can take years for legislation to go through multiple revisions before it is voted on and potentially approved. In fact, the bill introduced on August 1 is actually a revision of an earlier bill and refines and expands many key points of the document.
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In some cases, legislation must be further amended as technology advances. A key point in the new bill is better clarification of overboard detection technology, which is continually being refined with advancements in facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and other aspects.
Cruise lines and other maritime officials will all be part of various committees to review the legislation, ensuring a thorough review of each amendment and addendum before the bill advances.
