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Cruise passengers who leap from ships can be charged
Cruise Critic readers in a survey agreed that drunken passengers who leap off their ships and survive should be billed for the cost of their rescue. But can they?
“Even though guests that have gone overboard recently have not been fined, it could happen, depending on the circumstances,” reported the site, quoting a spokeswoman for Cruise Line International Association (CLIA).
CLIA says that in common with lodging facilities, cruise lines can also charge for property damages and/or ask misbehaving guests to leave at the next port.
This stance is similar to the airline industry.
The Federal Aviation Administration can fine unruly passengers up to $25,000 per violation — and one incident can result in multiple violations.
But apparently cruise passengers who take the leap are not being made to pay for the cost of their action in part because the Coast Guard often is given most of the bill for search and rescue operations. Their policy is normally not to charge, according to a spokeswoman.
Cruise lines could also charge for their part of any rescue but so far they have not.
“The primary reason is because in the instance where the person is not recovered alive or at all, then the family is understandably devastated,” Carnival spokesman Tim Gallagher said.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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