Cruise Passenger Protection Act

Cruise Passenger Protection Act

This bill revises provisions related to passenger vessel security and safety.

Among other things, the bill

• applies to certain passenger vessels that carry at least 250 passengers,
• directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to determine whether any of the enumerated rights in the international cruise line passenger bill of rights (adopted by the members of the Cruise Lines International Association) are enforceable under federal law,
• revises passenger vessel security and safety requirements,
• requires DOT to study the feasibility of having an individual on board each passenger vessel to provide victim support and related safety and security services, and
• makes additional compensation recoverable for nonpecuniary damages (but not punitive damages) for deaths resulting from a passenger cruise ship accident occurring on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles from the U.S. shore.