The Rights You Waive: What Your Cruise Ship Ticket Really Says

Most people who come to Miami or South Florida to embark on a cruise are focused on a holiday of leisure and relaxation. If they do even bother to look at the fine print legalize of their cruise ticket, they usually don't give it much consideration. However, the cruise ship industry and their attorneys have listed those disclosures for a reason, and if you plan on traveling on the high seas, you should be aware of what you are agreeing to. Below is a sampling of some of the boarding pass disclaimers that are commonly found on passenger tickets. The language and provisions may vary throughout the luxury cruise industry.

Ship's Nation of Registry

Cruise ships often travel from one country to another, and carry passengers who hail from many different nations. Because of this, maritime law allows ship owners to select a country of registry, such as Panama or Liberia. The cruise ship is thus beholden to the laws of its country of registry. The countries that are selected are often the ones that are favorable to the cruise ship industry.

Responsibility For Medical Treatment

The cruise line may hire or contract the doctors on their ship, but they absolve themselves of responsibility when it comes to malpractice claims. Most cruise lines include language on the ticket describing the doctors and nurses as a type of independent contractor who works for the passenger at his or her request.

Forum Selection

Cruise lines will often designate the venue in which you must bring civil action against them. These are not always convenient to the passenger or their attorneys. For instance, the husband of a Canadian woman who died on a cruise ship might have to return to Miami, FL to file a wrongful death suit.

Limiting the time period in which an injured passenger or his estate can bring a claim to one year.

Eescheduling or Reassignment

Nearly all of the cruise lines allow themselves the right to cancel, delay, or reschedule their cruise with little notice and not have to refund the price of the ticket. In addition, passengers can be reassigned or downgraded from the stateroom that they booked without their permission.

Right to Search Staterooms

The cruise ships reserve the right to have their crew go through your quarters, safe, and personal effects without notice. Refusal can cause the passenger's cruise to be terminated as soon as practical.

Waiver of Class Action

Some cruise lines mandate that any actions against them be brought by individuals and their lawyers. Class action suits are contractually prohibited.

If you are planning on taking a cruise vacation from South Florida or anywhere else, you may want to review the cruise line's passenger contract before you purchase passage. Most cruise lines have their ticket language online or available upon request.