# Summary
The Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2024 significantly expands federal consumer protections and safety requirements for cruise ship passengers. The bill establishes a new Office of Maritime Consumer Protection within the Department of Transportation to oversee cruise line compliance with consumer protection standards and to field passenger complaints through a toll-free hotline and website.
The legislation requires cruise lines to provide prospective passengers with clear, easy-to-read summaries of key contract terms—including hidden costs, liability limitations, and dispute resolution procedures—before they are bound by the contract. It bans predispute arbitration agreements and class action waivers in cruise ship ticket contracts, allowing passengers to pursue legal claims collectively and in court. The bill mandates that cruise ships report crimes to the FBI within 4 hours of discovery and maintain video surveillance for one year after voyages, with stricter standards for evidence preservation. It also requires enhanced medical staffing, crew training in crime prevention and life support, and English language proficiency for passenger-facing crew members.
For crime victims on cruise ships, the bill establishes a director of victim support services to serve as a single federal point of contact, providing 24-hour assistance, counseling referrals, and help navigating criminal investigations. The legislation mandates public reporting of crime statistics by cruise line on a government website. Violations carry civil penalties up to $25,000 per day and criminal penalties including fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment up to one year. Most consumer protection standards take effect 180 days after enactment, while medical requirements take effect within 180 days.
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