---
title: "Cruise Ship Injuries"
url: "https://legal.ge/en/service/aviation-and-maritime-law-en/cruise-ship-injuries-en"
field: "Aviation & Maritime Law"
description: "Cruise injuries: carrier liability is capped at 400 000 units of account per passenger, luggage separately; rules explained by Legal.ge."
reviewed: "2026-07-09"
updated: "2026-10-14"
publisher: "legal.ge"
---

# Cruise Ship Injuries

> Source: legal.ge, https://legal.ge/en/service/aviation-and-maritime-law-en/cruise-ship-injuries-en

## The Legal Framework of Sea Carriage of Passengers

An injury sustained on a cruise ship is governed by the contractual regime of carriage of passengers by sea. Under this contract, the carrier is obliged to carry the passenger safely to the port of destination, and where the passenger has handed over luggage, to transport that luggage and deliver it to the person entitled to receive it. For the passenger's part, the obligation is to pay the fare and, where luggage is handed over, the charge for its carriage. When a dispute arises, the analysis begins with the very existence and content of these contractual duties, and only then moves to the factual circumstances of their breach.

The notion of sea carriage is broad, and this matters greatly to an injured passenger. Carriage covers the passenger's presence on board and the process of embarkation and disembarkation, as well as conveyance by a navigable route from the shore to the vessel and back, provided the charge for that service is included in the price of the ticket or the vessel used to bring the passenger on board was provided by the carrier. In practical terms, an injury suffered while stepping aboard, disembarking or being ferried out to the ship by launch enjoys the same contractual protection as harm occurring at sea.

The contract of carriage and the payment of the fare are evidenced by the ticket issued by the carrier, while the handing over of luggage to the carrier is attested by a luggage receipt. These documents are the foundation of any compensation claim: without them, proving both the existence of the contract and the fact of payment becomes considerably harder, so a passenger should preserve them from booking until the dispute is finally resolved.

The full text is available on legal.ge after signing in: https://legal.ge/en/service/aviation-and-maritime-law-en/cruise-ship-injuries-en

### Which periods does sea carriage cover?

Carriage includes the passenger's presence on board, embarkation and disembarkation, and transfer from the shore to the vessel and back where that service is included in the ticket.

### Is insurance mandatory?

Yes, the carrier must insure the passenger and their luggage against accident, and the insurance amount is included in the ticket price.

### What limits apply to the carrier's liability?

Death or injury to health — 400 000 units of account per passenger; a motor vehicle with its luggage — 12 700; cabin luggage — 2 250; other luggage — 3 375 units of account.

### What confirms the cruise contract?

A voucher issued by the organiser or an equivalent document, which must set out the particulars of the vessel, the organiser, the passenger, the cabin, the ports and the services.