The Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2025 creates new federal protections for American cruise ship passengers by establishing an Office of Maritime Consumer Protection within the Department of Transportation. The law requires cruise lines to provide clear, easy-to-understand summaries of key contract terms—like hidden fees, refund policies, and liability limits—before passengers book their trips. Cruise companies must display this information prominently on their websites, in advertisements, and in promotional materials.

The law sets up a toll-free hotline and website where passengers can file complaints about issues like cancellations, baggage problems, misleading pricing, or poor conditions onboard. The government will publicly track and publish these complaints by cruise line name so potential passengers can see safety and service records. Cruise lines that violate these requirements face civil penalties up to $25,000 per day and criminal penalties up to $250,000 or one year in prison.

For passengers who experience crimes onboard, the law creates a dedicated victim support program with a 24-hour hotline, counseling services, and a government point of contact to help them navigate reporting and recovery. The law also strengthens security requirements on ships, including better surveillance systems, trained security personnel, and mandatory reporting of crimes to the FBI within four hours. Additionally, cruise lines can no longer force passengers into arbitration or prevent them from joining class-action lawsuits—disputes must be resolved in court if passengers choose. These protections apply to cruise ships carrying 250 or more passengers that embark or disembark in the United States.