The general maritime injury limitation is three years, but a cruise ticket contract may validly reduce the lawsuit period for a seagoing vessel to one year and require formal written notice within six months. The contract may also require filing in a designated court or country through a forum-selection clause. Notice to onboard staff may not satisfy the formal written claim requirement, so the actual ticket contract should be reviewed immediately.
Key Takeaways
- The general maritime injury limitation is three years.
- Cruise ticket contracts frequently shorten the deadline.
- Written notice may be required within six months.
- A lawsuit may need to be filed within one year.
- The contract may require filing in a designated court or country.
- Notice to onboard staff may not satisfy the formal written claim requirement.
- Shore excursion, medical, minor-child, and wrongful death claims may involve additional issues.
- The actual ticket contract should be reviewed immediately.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Cruise injury claims may be governed by federal maritime law, passenger contracts, foreign law, forum-selection provisions, and shortened notice and filing periods. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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