In the wake of several incidents in which cruise ships have become stranded at sea, New York senator Chuck Schumer is calling for a cruise-ship passenger’s bill of rights.
“To be out at sea without access to a doctor, electricity, toilet facilities, that’s unconscionable,” Schumer told reporters. “If we can get this passenger bill of rights done, passengers can breathe a sigh of relief that they know that the trip will be safe and if, God forbid, there’s emergencies, that they will be taken care of in the right way.”
The bill of rights, which Schumer is asking cruise lines to adopt voluntarily, would require all ships to provide sanitary conditions, back-up power and medical staff in the event of an emergency; cruise lines would also be forced to refund passengers whose trips are cut short.