Are cruise ships exempt from Jones Act?

Jones Act and the PVSA The Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) applies to cruise ships because cruise ships move passengers. The PVSA prevents a ship from taking passengers from one U.S. port and dropping them off or having them exit the ship in another port.

Why do cruise ships have to stop in foreign countries?

All cruises sailing from the U.S. must stop in Canada or another foreign port due to the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA). The legislation was an attempt to protect and grow U.S. shipping by eliminating these foreign competitors.

Do US laws apply on cruise ships?

International maritime law requires that cruise ships take every possible measure to provide safe passage. But when something goes wrong, jurisdiction is difficult to sort out. So when a ship is docked at the Port of Miami, all U.S. (and Florida) laws apply to the ship, its passengers and its crew.

What is the purpose of the Jones Act?

The Jones Act requires that all vessels carrying goods between two U.S. points be American-built, -owned, -crewed and -flagged. This policy provides stability to the U.S. maritime industry and helps to sustain 650,000 American jobs, resulting in $150 billion in economic benefits each year.

What is the point of the Jones Act?

What is the Jones Act for cruise ships?

The Jones Act (also known as the Passenger Services Act) prohibits ships of Non-U.S registry from embarking and debarking guests at two different U.S ports. Such travel would constitute point-to-point transportation between two U.S ports, which is prohibited on foreign flagged ships.

Who owns most of the cruise lines?

Carnival Corporation & plc
List of cruise lines by size