Cruise Ship Laws: Navigating Legal Waters

what law applies on a cruise ship

When it comes to cruise ships, the laws that apply can vary depending on several factors, including the location of the ship, the country where it is registered, and the specific cruise line's policies. The laws that govern a cruise ship fall under maritime law, which has its own complexities and challenges due to outdated legislation. The jurisdiction of the applicable laws depends on the proximity of the ship to the coastline and the country whose laws govern the vessel. This can be influenced by the ship's registration country and the fine print on the cruise ticket, which acts as a contract between the passenger and the cruise line. Understanding these laws is crucial for both passengers and crew members to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

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Maritime law

Once a cruise ship sets sail, it is governed by maritime law. The jurisdiction of the country that governs the vessel depends on how far the ship was from land when a crime occurred. The laws of the country in whose waters the ship is docked or within whose waters the ship falls apply.

Another tricky area of jurisdiction is the contiguous zone, which falls between 12 and 24 miles from the country's coastline. Every country retains certain rights within this zone, including the right to patrol its borders. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard is permitted to board any ship within the contiguous zone if drug smuggling is suspected. However, once a ship is more than 24 miles from the coastline, it is in international waters, and the laws of the country whose flag the ship flies govern.

Under maritime law, cruise lines owe a duty of care to their passengers. This includes providing a safe and secure environment for all guests, ensuring that all crew members are adequately trained and that the ship is well-maintained, and ensuring that all passengers arrive at their destination safely. The cruise line assumes full responsibility that no harm or injury occurs to a passenger while on board, including accidents, intentional harm, and unforeseen events. Passengers who are injured aboard may file a lawsuit against the owner of the cruise ship, the company that chartered the ship, the company that operated the ship, and the company that sold the ticket.

Most cruise lines register their ships in foreign countries and fly foreign flags. As such, the law of the country of registration may apply to events on such cruise ships. Additionally, for cruises departing from a U.S. port, the laws of the state from which the ship departed, U.S. federal law, and various international treaties may apply.

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Jurisdiction

Location of the Ship

The jurisdiction governing a cruise ship depends largely on its location at the time a crime or incident occurs. Maritime law divides legal jurisdiction into four categories: internal waters, territorial waters, contiguous zones, and international waters or high seas. Internal waters include areas such as ports, and the laws of the country where the port is located apply to the ship and all passengers and crew members. Territorial waters extend up to 12 miles from the coastline, and ships within this zone are subject to the laws of the coastal country. The contiguous zone lies between 12 and 24 miles from the coastline, and while it falls outside the direct jurisdiction of any country, coastal nations retain certain rights, such as patrolling for drug smuggling. Beyond 24 miles from the coast, a ship enters international waters, where the laws of the country whose flag the ship is flying govern legal matters.

Country of Registration

The majority of cruise ships are registered in foreign countries and fly foreign flags. The laws of the country of registration may apply to events on such cruise ships, particularly when they are in international waters. For example, many Carnival Cruise Line vessels are registered in Panama and therefore follow Panamanian laws while on the open waters.

Nationality of Involved Parties

The United States has jurisdiction over investigating a crime at sea if the ship is U.S.-owned, or if the crime was committed by or against a U.S. national outside the jurisdiction of any country. Additionally, if the crime takes place within 12 miles of the U.S. coast, the U.S. has jurisdiction regardless of the nationalities of those involved.

Choice of Law Clauses

Cruise ship tickets typically contain choice-of-law clauses that specify the jurisdiction in which a passenger may sue the cruise line and the law that will be applied. These clauses usually require passengers to bring legal action in specific U.S. states, depending on the cruise line, and may also shorten the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits.

In summary, determining jurisdiction on a cruise ship depends on a combination of factors, including the ship's location, country of registration, and the nationalities of those involved. The complex and dynamic nature of maritime law and cruise ship jurisdiction underscores the importance of passengers and crew members being aware of their legal rights and responsibilities when travelling on a cruise ship.

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Crime onboard

Cruise ships have their own security personnel who are the first responders to any crime onboard. They will alert the relevant authorities, who will then take over the investigation and evidence collection. When a ship is docked, local police will likely board and conduct an initial investigation. The jurisdiction of which country's laws apply depends on several factors. These include the ship's flag state (the country where the ship is registered), the cruise line's base country, the ship's location, and the citizenship of the parties involved. If a crime occurs while the ship is docked, the country of the port has jurisdiction. In the case of U.S. citizens involved in a crime, the FBI has broad extraterritorial jurisdiction and can assert authority to investigate.

The most common crimes reported onboard are assault and sexual assault, with theft also being a concern for passengers. Serious crimes like homicide, suspicious death, and missing passengers are less frequent. If a crime is committed, the ship's captain will determine whether to make an unscheduled stop at a nearby port or proceed to the next scheduled port, where authorities will be brought onboard.

If you are a victim of a crime on a cruise ship, you should first contact the ship's security office or medical staff if you require assistance. You have the right to confidentiality, the right to receive a sexual assault forensic exam onboard, and the right to printed security materials to help you report the crime. You may also want to take your own photos and request copies of all documentation and witness statements.

While the specific laws that apply depend on the factors mentioned above, it's important to note that cruise ships are subject to maritime law, which includes safety and security regulations. All cruise ships are required to register in a country and fly the flag of that country, and the laws of that country will typically apply when the ship is on the open waters. However, when a ship is docked or within the waters of another country, the laws of that country may take precedence.

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Passenger injury

Cruise ship passengers face many of the same dangers as people on land. They may be injured by other passengers or crew members, or as a result of dangerous conditions on the ship. They may also be assaulted, robbed, or raped while on board. In addition, cruise ships and their passengers face external dangers, such as pirates.

Cruise lines owe their passengers a duty of safe transportation. If a passenger is injured on board, they may file a lawsuit against the owner of the cruise ship, the company that chartered the ship, the company that operated the ship, and the company that sold the ticket. However, such claims may be subject to certain cruise ship laws that affect when and where the passenger may file suit, as well as the applicable law.

Most cruise ships are registered under foreign flags and are subject to the laws of the country in which they are registered. For example, many Carnival Cruise Line vessels are registered in Panama and are therefore subject to Panamanian law while on the open waters. However, the laws of other countries may apply if the vessel is docked in a foreign country or is within that country's waters.

In the United States, cruise ships departing from U.S. ports are deemed "common carriers," which means they owe their passengers a heightened duty of care to protect them from harm and ensure they arrive at their destinations safely. This includes providing a safe and secure environment, conducting thorough background checks and training for crew members, and ensuring the ship is well-maintained. If a passenger is injured on board, they may file a civil lawsuit against the owner and operator of the vessel.

It's important to note that the fine print on the back of a cruise ticket often includes important information about the laws and jurisdiction that apply to the cruise. This may include a forum selection clause and a choice of law clause specifying where and under which law a passenger may sue the cruise line. Cruise lines may also require that they be notified of any claims within a certain time frame, typically six months from the date of the incident.

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Ship doctor negligence

When it comes to ship doctor negligence, there are a few key points to consider. Firstly, it's important to understand the laws that apply on a cruise ship, which fall under maritime law. This includes the duty of care that a cruise ship owes to its passengers, which extends to the provision of medical services.

In the case of Carlisle v Carnival Cruise Lines, it was ruled that a ship's doctor is considered an agent of the ship owner, and the owner can be held liable for the doctor's negligence. However, this decision was later reversed by the Florida Supreme Court, citing the "uniform federal position" that distinguishes between the negligence of the doctor and the carrier. This majority rule, established in Barbetta v S/S Bermuda Star, states that the doctor-patient relationship is controlled by the patient and not the ship owner, and that shipping companies are not in the business of providing medical services.

Despite this, there have been cases where cruise lines have been held liable for a shipboard physician's negligence under the theory of apparent agency. To establish apparent agency, three elements must be proven: a manifestation by the principal that causes the passenger to believe in an agency relationship, the passenger's reasonable belief, and the passenger's reasonable reliance on that belief to their detriment. However, proving apparent agency can be challenging, as courts have been reluctant to allow recovery based on this theory in admiralty cases.

It's worth noting that the law regarding ship doctor negligence can be complex and vary across jurisdictions. Therefore, it is always advisable to seek legal advice for specific situations.

In summary, while cruise ships have a duty of care to their passengers, the liability for ship doctor negligence may depend on the specific circumstances and the ability to prove apparent agency.

Frequently asked questions

Maritime law applies on a cruise ship. The jurisdiction of what country governs the vessel depends on how far away from land the ship was when a crime occurred.

Maritime law divides legal jurisdiction into four distinct categories: internal waters, territorial waters, contiguous zones, and international waters or high seas.

Internal waters include areas such as ports. When a ship is docked at a port, it is said to be in internal waters, and the laws of that country where the port is located apply to the ship and all passengers and crew members.

Territorial waters start at the coastline and extend up to 12 miles out. If a ship leaves a U.S. port and is within 5 miles of the coastline, it is in territorial waters and is governed by U.S. law.

Once a cruise ship sails more than 24 miles off the coast of any given country, it is in international waters. The laws governing crimes on the ship in international waters are determined by the flag the ship is sailing under.

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