Rights of the Passengers When Travelling by Sea

The Passengers Rights applied to Passenger Services in UK operate to, from or within EU countries.  These rights are applicable for the passengers travelling on cruise ships, where the initial point of joining the cruise must be within a European country.   Here’s the rights of passengers travelling by sea in UK are precised below. To expand your knowledge in this regard, keep reading:

Key Rights on Cancellations & Delays:

·       Information: Often it happens that a cruise operator or passenger service expects a departure to be called off or delayed. In such circumstances, the operators are accountable to inform the passengers about such inconveniences beforehand. It should be accomplished no later than 30 minutes after the scheduled time of departure.

·       Assistance: It is truly awkward when a cruise or passenger service is expected to be called off or delayed. This circumstance inevitably puts passengers into tons of harassments. If the concerned cruise service or passenger service is decided to cancel or delay for more than 90 minutes beyond the scheduled time-of-departure, the passengers should be facilitated with free-meals, snacks and refreshments during the extended-waiting-hours. Thereby, the cruise-authority strives to recompense the abrupt nuisances.

In case of a ferry passenger, there should be always a choice between – an alternative sailing at the earliest opportunity and at no-additional cost; Or – the re-imbursement of the price-of-tickets within a span of seven days.

·       Accommodation: An overnight stay turns necessary for the passengers when a sailing is called off or delayed due to some inconveniences. In such circumstances, the cruise or ferry operator is accountable to serve the passengers with cost-free-accommodation, wherever it’s convenient. It helps passengers cope up with the inconveniences occurred mistakenly.

·       Compensation: Every passenger is entitled to a minimum level of compensation of at least 25% of the price-of-ticket, for the part of the affected journey, if the passenger-service is delayed for (A) one hour for a journey of duration 4 hours, or (B) 2 hours for a journey of duration between 4 and 8 hours, or (C) 3 hours for a journey of duration of over 24 hours.

If the delay exceeds double the total time set out, the amount of compensation would be 50% of the ticket-price. The compensation must be paid within one month by the concerned cruise/ ferry operator.

Rights for the disabled passengers or passengers with reduced mobility:

·       Rights of transport: - A passenger should never be refused the right-to-travel on the grounds of disability, unless specific restrictions are imposed due to certain safety-issues, or the design of the vessel or the terminal makes it impossible for the sailors to board, or for the passengers to be carried hassle-freely.

·       Assistance: It is mandatory to assist the disabled passengers cost-freely with reduced mobility. Where the assistances are needed, the passengers are asked to arrive on an agreed time, at the designated point.

The passengers are required notifying the cruise operator or passenger service of their assistance requirements at least 48 hours before the assistance is needed.  If less than 48 hours notice is offered by a passenger, the cruise or ferry operator should strive to the best for proffering assistance.

In case, a passenger is also allowed to get accompanied by h/her dog on board the vessel.  The passengers won’t be charged for taking any mobility or medical equipment which is absolutely necessary for their personal needs during the sea-voyage.

·       Complaints:  When needed, a passenger can make h/her complaint to the cruise or ferry operator accountable for the service. The complaint can be lodged at least within two months from the date the disruption reared its head.

The cruise or ferry operator is responsible for responding to the passenger within a month-span from receiving the compliant.  It is their sole-responsibility to inform the passengers about whether their complaints have been accepted or rejected or is still being considered.  The passengers must be served with a final-reply no later than two months after receipt of the complaints.

The top-notch ship broker companies Norway provide ferries for sale that are aware of the above-mentioned passengers’ rights while attaining a voyage on sea. Hence, it is better to contact the eminent brokers in Norway for purchasing cruise ships for sale that can aptly go by these norms.