A cruise is a great departure from the "regular" vacation. However, just as a cruise line vacation may expose you to new and interesting experiences it will also expose you to a new legal framework. When taking a cruise, a passenger should remember the following:

• The Supreme Court of the United States in a case titled Carnival v. Shute, 499 U.S. 585 (1991) upheld the enforceability of a passenger ticket contract's terms and conditions. In this way, read your cruise ticket and understand your rights (or lack thereof!). You can read a copy of the Shute decision by clicking HERE.

• In many instances, your passenger ticket contract will require you give notice of a claim and file a lawsuit within a relatively short period of time --- even if your state law provides for a longer statute of limitations period. Don't be caught unawares: if you are injured aboard a cruise ship and believe you weren't at fault, promptly contact a maritime injury lawyer.

• If you suffer a cruise ship injury, remember that cruise ships set sail for new ports and crews constantly change. In this way consider taking lots of pictures of where you were injured and your shipboard treatment. In addition, consider obtaining the names of fellow passengers who witnessed your injury as well as the names of crewmembers.

Finally, if you or your fellow traveler incur a shipboard injury, consider contacting a maritime injury lawyer for guidance on how best to proceed.

Underway and making way.

By John K Fulweiler

Fulweiler llc

www.saltwaterlaw.com