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Cruise consumer rights

Journalist: Marc Shoffman, Freelance

ended 08. July 2025

Hi,
I am currently working on a piece for The Independent about consumer cruise rights.

I am looking for comments from travel agents/experts on what rights passengers have if a cruise goes wrong, e.g if it is cancelled/missed ports.

Is there an automatic right to compensation, similar to airlines, if you miss a port or your cruise is cancelled?

What happens if things go wrong on the ship? Should you complain to guest services or wait until you are home?

Can you get compensation if you catch norovirus on a cruise and are confined to your cabin?

Shoud passengers complain to their travel agent or cruise brand? Who is responsible for redress?

What are your tips to avoid losing out when a cruise goes wrong, e.g travel insurance, paying by credit card?

 

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Editor
Tony Redondo
Founder at Cosmos Currency Exchange
Unlike airlines, cruise compensation isn’t guaranteed. Act fast onboard and get insurance. Cruise passenger rights vary by jurisdiction and cruise line contract. EU Regulation 1177/2010 offers refunds or re-routing for cancellations from EU ports, but not for missed ports unless significantly delayed. Report issues to guest services onboard. Quick action often leads to quicker resolutions; escalate to the cruise line, travel agent, or regulatory bodies like the FMC or ABTA post-trip if needed. Keep Records: Document issues with dates, times, names, and photos, as these strengthen your case whether complaining onboard or later. Norovirus compensation is rare without proof of negligence, but insurance may cover confinement. Complain to the cruise line for onboard issues, or the travel agent for booking errors. Tips: Buy cruise-specific travel insurance, pay by credit card for protection, and read the contract.