Who Has Jurisdiction on a Cruise Ship?

By Anna Duncan

When taking a cruise, most people don’t think about who has jurisdiction over the ship and the people on board. It is important to know this information so that you can understand what laws apply and who to turn to if something goes wrong.

Cruise ships are considered to be floating territories of their country of registration, meaning that the laws of that country apply to the ship and its passengers. This means that if a crime is committed on board, then it is subject to the laws of the country in which the cruise ship is registered.

Most cruise ships are registered in countries like Bermuda, Liberia, Panama or The Bahamas because they have more lenient taxes and regulations than other countries. This means that if a crime is committed on board a cruise ship, then it will be subject to local laws in those countries rather than laws in other countries.

In addition to this, each cruise line also has its own set of rules and regulations which all passengers must abide by while on board. These rules cover everything from acceptable behavior on board the ship to safety protocols for passengers.

Finally, international maritime law applies to all vessels regardless of their country of registration – including cruise ships. This law covers issues such as piracy, hijacking and environmental pollution.

In conclusion, jurisdiction on a cruise ship depends on where it is registered and which maritime law applies. International maritime law applies regardless of where the vessel is registered, while local laws will apply in cases where a crime has been committed on board the vessel. Additionally, each cruise line has its own set of rules and regulations which all passengers must abide by while they are aboard the vessel.