Nearly every cruise line’s boarding pass requires an injured passenger to file suit within one year from the date of accident. Cruise lines also require their injured passengers to file their claim in a specific city and even a particular court. As such, a person living in Chicago who was injured on a cruise departing from and returning to San Diego may be required to bring a lawsuit in a Miami Federal Court even though the cruise ship never touched a Florida port.

Cruise lines prey on the fact many injured passengers (and their local non-maritime attorneys) do not read the boarding pass’ fine print and think they have three or four years to file suit and/or could file the claim in their local court. Cruise lines are also empowered by court decisions which strictly enforce these boarding pass provisions. Often times cruise lines delay in responding to information requests or stall settlement negotiations as a tactic to lullaby unsuspecting injured passengers into not timely filing suit. Unfortunately, each year many hurt passengers forfeit their right to sue and obtain just compensation by not adhering to the boarding pass’ conditions.

Don’t fall victim to these terms and conditions. If you have any questions, contact an experienced cruise passenger injury attorney to help you navigate your way through these pitfalls.

• Carnival Cruise Lines – Suit must be filed within 1 year in the Federal Court located in Miami, Florida
• Celebrity Cruises – Suit must be filed within 1 year in the Federal Court located in Miami, Florida
• Costa Cruise Lines – Suit must be filed within 1 year in the Federal Court located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
• Cunard Lines (Voyages that begin or end in a U.S. Port) – Suit must be filed within 1 year in the State or Federal Court located in Los Angeles, California
• Disney Cruise Lines – Suit must be filed within 1 year in court located in Brevard County Florida or Federal Court located in Orlando
• Holland America – Suit must be filed within 1 year in the Federal Court located in Seattle, Washington
• Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) – Suit must be filed within 1 year in the Federal Court located in Miami, Florida
• Princess Cruises – Suit must be filed within 1 year in the State or Federal Court located in Los Angeles, California
• Royal Caribbean Cruises – Suit must be filed within 1 year in the Federal Court located in Miami, Florida

(This information is subject to change and injured passengers are urged to consult their exact boarding pass for the terms and conditions governing their claims)