Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2025

This bill boosts protections for people taking cruises by pairing stronger safety rules with clearer consumer rights. It sets up a new Office of Maritime Consumer Protection at the Department of Transportation to take complaints, inspect ships, and enforce the rules . Cruise lines must give a plain‑language summary of key ticket terms before they’re binding (like extra fees, what law may apply, health care limits, and where to file claims), and they must post a toll‑free complaint number and web link on booking sites and confirmations . The government will publish monthly stats on passenger complaints and on reported crimes by cruise line, and cruise websites must link to this data so travelers can see it easily .

It also supports victims of crimes onboard. A director of victim support services will provide a 24/7 toll‑free number, a written summary of rights, and confidential help, including the right to contact the FBI and speak privately with advocates . Ships must alert the FBI within 4 hours after staff learn of certain incidents, make key logs available, contact a U.S. consulate if a U.S. national is involved, and share reports with the Transportation Department and State fusion centers . Safety upgrades include better camera coverage and year‑long video storage, crime‑scene training for crews, electronic records of who enters cabins, stronger medical staffing and training, basic English skills for passenger‑facing crew, and help returning the remains of a U.S. citizen who dies onboard, with the owner paying transport costs .

• Who is affected

  • U.S. passengers and cruise operators. Consumer protections apply to passenger and small passenger vessels, but not to Federal or State‑owned ships. Extra safety and reporting rules cover large cruise ships that carry 250+ passengers with overnight stays and embark or disembark in the U.S..

• What changes

  • No forced arbitration or fine‑print class‑action waivers before a dispute; arbitration is only if both sides agree in writing after a problem arises, and a judge—not a private arbitrator—decides if arbitration applies.
  • An advisory committee reviews consumer protections and helps spell out what parts of the 2013 “Passenger Bill of Rights” are enforceable under federal law, and DOT sets clear standards for the ticket‑term summary that override weaker state rules .
  • Stronger crime reporting, public data, and safety requirements (cameras, training, cabin‑entry controls, medical staffing) with enforcement tools, fines, and possible denial of U.S. port entry for noncompliance .

• When

  • Some actions are due within 180 days of enactment (for example, deciding which “Passenger Bill of Rights” items are enforceable and launching medical/safety updates), and the public websites update monthly .
  • The ban on pre‑dispute arbitration and class‑action waivers applies to ticket contracts signed or renewed on or after the law takes effect.
  • A study on placing a victim‑support specialist onboard is due within 1 year.