Money for Crew Members For Dangerous Conditions Aboard Cruise Ships

by Elias Rudnikas Information for Crew Members

A crew member has the right to receive money compensation for work injuries.

A crew member has the right to receive money compensation from the cruise line if he is injured on the cruise ship because of dangerous or defective conditions aboard the ship. The most common dangerous conditions aboard cruise ships are:

  1. An inadequate crew. Cruise ships are often undermanned. When this occurs, crew members have to work too many hours and do the job of two or three crew members.  If a crew member is injured under these circumstances, he has the right to receive money compensation from the cruise line.
  2. Failure to enforce common sense guidelines for the lifting, carrying and pushing of heavy items.  Because of the constant work pressure on the cruise ships, the cruise ship companies do not enforce common sense rules for the lifting, carrying, and pushing of heavy items.  If a crew member is injured because he was forced to lift, carry, or push heavy items, he has the right to receive money compensation from the cruise line.
  3. Inadequate Cleaning and Maintenance. Frequently, the stairs and floors of the ships are wet, greasy, dirty and slippery. If a crew member is injured because the floor or the stairs are unsafe, he has the right to receive money compensation from the cruise line.
  4. Inadequate Training and Insufficient Hours of Rest. Frequently, crew members do not receive adequate training for the tasks they have to perform, or they are not given enough time to rest between work days.  If a crew member is injured because he is not properly trained or because he is exhausted after working too many hours, he has the right to receive money compensation from the cruise line.
  5. Insufficient or Defective Equipment. Frequently, the cruise lines fail to maintain the equipment and tools necessary to do the job.  They also fail to buy new equipment when the current equipment is broken or defective.  If a crew member is injured because he did not have the proper tools to do his job or the equipment he was using was broken or defective, he has the right to receive money compensation from the cruise line.dangerous or defective conditions aboard the ship are grounds for receiving compensation for work injuries.

Our advice to any crew member that is injured aboard a cruise ship is to consult with a maritime lawyer immediately because his injuries were probably caused by dangerous or defective conditions aboard the ship.

Extra Charges May Catch You By Surprise During Your Cruise Vacation

by Elias Rudnikas Maritime Articles

cruise ship incidentWhen planning a cruise vacation, the reality of hidden costs for seemingly innocuous items and activities are often overlooked until the traveler gets the final bill. Bill shock is a common occurrence for passengers who assume that everything is included in the cruise package, which can take the joy out of an otherwise relaxing and fun vacation. To avoid this kind of surprise, it pays to figure out your budget and do your homework before you book your cruise vacation.

First things first, when you see an advertised price for a cruise vacation that seems almost too good to be true, make sure to actually speak to a customer representative so you can get a clear idea of what the accommodations actually are for the promotional price. Cruises like to use “lead-in” pricing, which means the advertised prices are for the cheapest packages on offer rather than for the average cabin on the ship. This sales tactic is designed to attract bargain hunters, but when you find out what’s actually included (or rather, not included), you may want to reconsider your budget or continue shopping around for other cruise packages.

Another important consideration for your cruise vacation budget is the cost of gratuities. In the past, it was common practice for passengers to submit tips in an envelope to the appropriate crewmembers. Nowadays, cruise lines will just add a per day charge to cover gratuity, which can be around $10 to $12 per passenger. While some vacationers may not be comfortable with mandatory gratuity, this is done for everyone’s benefit; passengers can expect assistance from any crewmember, just like crewmembers are expected to help any passenger that requests assistance.

Alcohol and soft drinks can cost you if you drink away without looking into what your cruise package actually includes. Before booking your package, make sure that the customer representative clearly explains what is covered in the price. You can always buy additional drink packages, so you won’t have to worry about an outsize bill once your vacation is over. Many cruise lines offer unlimited alcoholic packages but beware, out in the open sea, just make sure you are surrounded by friends and crewmembers so you are safe no matter how drunk you are.

Internet access is another cost to watch out for. Cruise ships often charge by the hour, and while $0.75 may not be a lot, it can add up very quickly. The age of the ship can also affect the quality of the Internet connection, so it may be a good idea to explore data plans being offered by your mobile phone company. Nowadays, major telecom companies are offering data plans with roaming, which should offer a reliable signal for a preset cost almost anywhere in the world.

When booking shore excursions, you may be tempted to book through the cruise line to save time and hassle. What you won’t be saving, however, is money. Cruises often charge much more than independent operators, which means you will have less money for everything else. In addition, excursions booked through the cruise tend to be crowded and impersonal. Nowadays, independent providers will offer worry-free guarantees to ensure that you get back to your ship on time, so you never have to choose between saving money and having peace of mind.

The key to keeping the costs of your cruise vacation within striking distance of your planned budget is preparation and staying informed. A good rule of thumb is to never assume, it never hurts to ask, and as always, read the fine print. If anything is unclear, make sure the customer representative gives you an explanation. Though preparations can be quite time consuming and maybe even a little stressful, the freedom from bill shock will at least go a long way towards ensuring a smooth and relaxing vacation.