Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2024

This bill establishes an Office of Maritime Consumer Protection within the Department of Transportation to oversee consumer protections for cruise passengers. It requires cruise lines to provide clear, pre-booking summaries of key terms in passage contracts (including undisclosed costs, fees, and limitations), invalidates pre-dispute arbitration and class action waiver clauses in cruise contracts, and creates a toll-free hotline and website for passenger complaints. The bill also mandates that cruise lines provide victims of crimes on board with information about their rights and support services, and requires improved security and medical standards for vessels carrying 250+ passengers. It directly affects US-based cruise lines operating vessels that meet the specified passenger capacity and embark/disembark in the United States.