Curious about weather related changes and the law

[vaka08]

The hurricane cruise shifting had me wondering. Again this is just a question not based on any information I have received. But some of you are very knowledgable on maritime law.

 

I believe the new law stated you can no longer have cruises to nowhere. ( correct me if I am wrong) So what happens if a ship has to divert itinerary due to weather and doesn't make a foreign port? Do they have to get to one? Are there exemption clauses?

 

Just curious.

[hftmrock]

The hurricane cruise shifting had me wondering. Again this is just a question not based on any information I have received. But some of you are very knowledgable on maritime law.

 

I believe the new law stated you can no longer have cruises to nowhere. ( correct me if I am wrong) So what happens if a ship has to divert itinerary due to weather and doesn't make a foreign port? Do they have to get to one? Are there exemption clauses?

 

Just curious.

 

they will either make the necessary legal changes or they will cancel the cruise. I am not sure if they are legally bound to go to a foreign port

Edited October 1, 2015 by hftmrock

[jwalk03]

They are legally obligated to visit a foreign port, however I'm sure they could be granted a special exemption in the event of a hurricane that prevented a cruise from visiting a foreign port before returning to the US. This would likely be a worst case scenario, as they do make every effort to substitute other ports are complete changing from eastern to western, etc if a storm necessitates a change.

[sanmarcosman]

Acts of god clauses apply here.

[Havingfun2010]

Many things can happen to prevent a ship from not completing a trip, and in those cases, the ship would be required to drift forever because no clause was made to cover it........:D

[cruiser fanatic]

I am sure that Carnival could request an exemption if there are no other options. The ship will make every effort to stop at a foreign port before going that route. I don't think the new law goes into effect until next year.

Edited October 1, 2015 by cruiser fanatic

[Essiesmom]

It has happened before, will happen again. They work it out with the gov't. EM