Rights of passengers travelling by sea and inland waterways

KEY POINTS

These rights apply to passengers travelling in the EU on large ferries and cruise ships on sea, rivers, lakes or canals.

They include:

• reimbursement or rerouting in situations of cancellation or of delay at departure of more than 90 minutes;
• adequate assistance e.g. meals, refreshments and, where necessary, accommodation for up to 3 nights in situations of cancellation or delay at departure of more than 90 minutes;
• compensation of between 25 % and 50 % of the ticket price in situations of delay in arrival or cancellation of journeys;
• non-discriminatory treatment and specific assistance free of charge for disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility both at port terminals and on board ships, as well as financial compensation for loss or damage of their mobility equipment;
• adequate information on travel arrangements for all passengers before and during their journey, as well as general information about their rights in terminals and on board ships;
• establishment of a complaint-handling mechanism by carriers and terminal operators;
• establishment of independent national bodies to enforce the rights guaranteed under the regulation, including, where appropriate, the application of penalties.

Since 31 December 2012, Regulation (EC) No 392/2009 on the liability of carriers of passenger by sea also covers passengers in case of loss of damage resulting from an accident.