MATSUI AND BLUMENTHAL INTRODUCE BICAMERAL LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE SAFETY OF CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) reintroduced the Cruise Passenger Protection Act, 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. In addition to requiring vessel owners to fully inform passengers of their rights prior to booking a cruise, the Cruise Passenger Protect Act implements additional measures to strengthen passenger safety, such as improving medical standards and bolstering enforcement procedures for violations of the law.

"The pandemic made it clearer than ever that passenger safety is a major concern on board cruise ships," said Congresswoman 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."

"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 Senator 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 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 Congresswoman Matsui's continuing support and advocacy for cruise passenger safety!"

The full text of the legislation can be found HERE.

As a member of the Congressional Victim's Rights Caucus, Congresswoman Matsui is a longtime advocate for improving safety and security aboard cruise vessels. Matsui authored and led passage of the bipartisan 2010 Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) and passed provisionsto improve transparency of crime on board cruise ships in 2014.

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