The cruise industry is the least regulated travel industry of any operating in the United States. Cruise line terms and conditions are strongly biased in favor of cruise companies. If you suffer a cruise ship injury, Joseph M. Maus & Associates is a cruise ship accident law firm that can help you determine the best way to pursue compensation in this complex legal environment.
Cruise Ship Problems in the News
In the first quarter of 2013, the following incidents made the news:
-
Carnival Triumph stranded in the Gulf of Mexico after an engine fire
-
Carnival Dream experienced diesel generator problems in St. Maarten
-
Disney Fantasy returned to Port Canaveral due to a passenger medical issue
-
Disney Fantasy delayed after near-drowning of a child in a ship pool
Some Interesting Cruise Statistics
Around 20 million people boarded cruise ships in 2012, and cruises are the fastest growing segment of the worldwide travel industry. Since 2000, nearly 200 new ships have been added to cruise line fleets, and many more are scheduled to be added. Other than deaths and serious injuries, the cruise industry doesn’t have to report cruise ship injuries, so it’s not easy to determine how many people suffer non-serious injuries each year.
Proposed “Cruise Ship Passenger Bill of Rights”
The first quarter of 2013 recorded 21 cruise ship incidents, including fires, a collision, power loss, and propulsion problems. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) proposed a voluntary “Cruise Ship Passenger Bill of Rights” giving passengers rights to disembark from inadequately-provisioned, crippled ships and full refunds when cruises are canceled due to mechanical problems. Cruise companies are having none of it, however.
International Waters and Flags of Convenience
After a ship is more than 200 miles from the US coast, it is supposed to be regulated by the International Maritime Organization, but the IMO doesn’t have authority to enforce guidelines or impose fines. Bringing an injury claim against a cruise line is complex, but it can be done successfully. At Joseph M. Maus & Associates, you can hire a cruise ship injury attorney with the experience and skill to help you prevail after a cruise ship injury.