The passenger was kicked out of the ship during the cruise: what tourists need to know about their rights

A cruise is a favorite vacation for Robert and Esther Gaines. This is how they spent their honeymoon 40 years ago and decided to enjoy their vacation this time too. But complete shock and disappointment awaited them.

Фото: Depositphotos

“We have never had a negative experience,” Esther Gaines said.

“We are loyal customers of Norwegian Cruise Line, but what happened to us this time is a shock!” - added Robert Gaines.

In May, Robert and his wife were on a 7-day cruise aboard a ship that was to deliver them to the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. But Robert's vacation unexpectedly ended prematurely.

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It all started with the fact that a member of the crew literally at the very beginning of the holiday did not allow him and his wife to go to the show, for which they had reserved tickets in advance.

“I said, 'Listen, idiot, I'm telling you right now that my family needs to watch the show. Why won't you let me in? - Robert recalls.

A crew member, he said, told Robert that he was not armored, and called for help.

“They started calling security and I asked for more than two people because I’m a big guy,” Robert said.

However, there was no fight, Robert only told the concierge about the incident and wrote a statement. But about 24 hours after the incident, a security officer came to their cabin.

“He said the captain looked into what happened and decided that Robert should get off the ship in Tortola,” Esther said.

“I was public enemy number one,” Robert said, describing his feelings as he was kicked off the ship.

He had to spend hundreds of dollars to return home, and he did not have the opportunity to challenge the incident or appeal the decision of the captain.

On the subject: Personal experience: work on a cruise ship

The lawyers emphasize that cruise ship passengers actually have very few rights on board.

"If something happens and they want to kick you off the ship, they're not only the police, they're the judge and jury," said maritime lawyer Brett.

When you book a cruise, your passenger ticket is essentially a contract, giving the cruise line wide discretion over how they interpret and enforce their rules.

"The cruise ship companies design these contracts so they don't give passengers any rights," Brett said.

Robert, meanwhile, realized that although he and his family had been on many cruises, they had never read the contract. Now, he said, he will do it before booking his next trip. He added that he wanted others to do the same.

A representative of the Norwegian Cruise Line commented on the situation:

“Our Navy has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to inappropriate or discourteous behavior. This is outlined in our Guest Conduct Policy, which all guests agree to when paying for their cruise. Any guest violating these rules will be subject to removal from the ship by order of the captain and will be responsible for all travel expenses. All traveling companions of the expelled guest remain and receive exceptional service, for which our crew members vouch.”

The cruise line also stated that they did not discuss the details of any incident on board, out of respect for the privacy of their guests.

Read also on ForumDaily:

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