Cruise Health and Safety Conditions

Keeping sanitary conditions on passenger vessels in check is the responsibility of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). The USPHS performs both scheduled and random inspections of passenger watercraft in American ports. The inspections focus on adequate sanitation for drinking water, proper food storage, preparation and handling, and appropriate cleanliness. The USPHS provides the general public with inspection results of individual vessels as well as reports of unsanitary conditions.

One important mission of the United States Coast Guard is to protect the marine environment. By enforcing regulations regarding ocean dumping from cruise ships, the Coast Guard helps to protect this delicate environment. Such regulations make it illegal to dump plastic and/or garbage combined with plastic into any waters and restricts dumping of non-plastic garbage and other types of trash. This applies to all American vessels no matter where they operate (with the exception of waters under the exclusive jurisdiction of a particular State) as well as to foreign vessels operating in American waters out to 200 yards offshore and in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

In compliance with Federal rules and regulations, terminal operators and cruise lines allocate the principal responsibility for shore side and shipboard protection of passengers. The United States Coast Guard scrutinizes all security plans and can require improvements of security measures. Travelers embarking on international cruises can expect to have their baggage explored or sent through screening devices prior to boarding. The terminal operator and cruise line company have stringent procedures for passenger identification and visitor management.

Passengers who wish to have well wishers visit the ship prior to embarking on the cruise should always check with the cruise line in advance. Though these security measures may seem extraneous, they are designed to avoid the introduction of unauthorized weapons and/or individuals on board the cruise vessel.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) requires that the heads of passenger vessels carrying fifty or more passengers from an American port must be monetarily capable of reimbursing their passengers if, for some unforeseen circumstance, the cruise is cancelled. The FMC also requires verification of the capability to pay claims stemming from passenger injuries and/or death for which the vessel operator may be held partially liable for.

It is crucial to comprehend that the FMC does not have the legal authorization to automatically secure financial arrangements for individual consumers. If a cruise is cancelled, or if there is an injury sustained at any point during the cruise, the passenger must initiate action on their own behalf against the cruise line company.

The United States Coast Guard regulations and SOLAS typically focus on the requirements for careful navigation and design of the cruise vessel itself. There are several aspects of the daily care of travelers and their on-board lodging that are not addressed by Government regulations. A good example of this is medical care. The United States Coast Guard does not require that passenger vessels have a ship's physician.

However, the majority of ocean-going passenger vessels currently do provide a doctor and medical facilities. This is not to just err on the side of safety but also to offer attractive and competitive services. Travelers should be aware of the fact that the quality of their medical care is not assured by United States Coast Guard regulations. If there are any concerns about health or medical care aboard a cruise ship, the cruise line or travel agent should be contacted in regards to these concerns, both while at sea or while visiting foreign ports.