It was announced on Wednesday that the cruise industry is now enforcing a passenger bill of rights to ensure the utmost safety and protection for cruise-goers.
The new document will promise guests a refund for a trip that was cancelled due to anything involving mechanical emergencies or failures. It also promises a backup power source on each cruise ship.
The Cruise Lines International Association, which represents all of the major cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, proposes a guarantee of "safety, comfort and care" for passengers on their cruise ships, The AP reports.
The new guidelines follow Carnival Triumph’s recent disaster, which saw the ship drifting off the coast of Mexico with no power, and guests complaining of harsh conditions.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer then demanded that the cruise industry set up a legal waiver for guests to sign that will ensure their security. After the bill was proposed, he called it “a step in the right direction towards increased accountability for the cruise industry and ensuring the safety and well-being of its passengers."
He did say he has “many remaining questions,” and “I will be asking the industry to respond to a set of detailed questions, and will continue to insist on changes to ensure the safety and well-being of their passengers."