Blumenthal & Matsui Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Improve Safety of Cruise Ship Passengers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) reintroduced legislation to better protect passengers aboard cruise ships through updated passenger safety standards and cruise line reporting requirements. The Cruise Passenger Protection Act ensures that passengers are fully informed of their rights in advance of a voyage and have a means to seek recourse if such rights are violated.

“Traveling on a cruise ship should be a relaxing, enjoyable, and safe experience for every passenger—but unexpected serious, or even fatal, incidents can quickly turn dream voyages into nightmares,” said Blumenthal. “The Cruise Passenger Protection Act makes passenger safety a top priority for cruise ships by requiring additional safety measures, from expanded crime reporting and prevention to updated vessel security standards. This critical legislation ensures that passengers are fully aware of their rights before booking a cruise—promoting smooth sailing for all aboard.”

“The pandemic made it clearer than ever that passenger safety is a major concern on board cruise ships,” said Matsui. “Cruise passengers deserve higher standards for medical care, more robust safety protections, and better avenues for thorough investigation when violent crimes are committed on board. I am proud to have enacted the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act in 2010, and this bill would build on that landmark legislation by strengthening safety standards and expanding support for victims. I am grateful for the courageous victims and their families who have shared their stories and fought for tougher standards. I look forward to working with Senator Blumenthal and my colleagues in Congress to pass this legislation.”

In addition to requiring vessel owners to fully inform passengers of their rights prior to booking a cruise, the Cruise Passenger Protection Act implements additional measures to strengthen passenger safety, such as improving medical standards and bolstering enforcement procedures for violations of the law.

The Cruise Passenger Protection Act is co-sponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA).

“People should feel safe knowing they are protected from danger whether they are on land, in the skies, or on the high seas,” said Markey. “Unfortunately, serious health and safety incidents continue to occur on cruise ships. This is unacceptable. Just like a personal floatation device, this legislation provides basic protections for the millions of Americans who enjoy cruises.”

The legislation is endorsed by the International Cruise Victims Association.

A statement of support by the International Cruise Victims Association reads: “We at the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV), have long known that additional legislation would be required in order to secure the 31.7 million projected cruise passengers not only with the rights and protection they continue to lack, but also to bring them into parity with access to assistance and enforcement of such protection as has long since been available to commercial aviation passengers through the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection. It is with this in mind that ICV applauds Senator Blumenthal’s continuing support and advocacy for cruise passenger safety!”

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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