Cruise Ship Passengers Sign Away Most Rights

DENVER (CBS4) A Carnival cruise ship is back in port after five days stranded at sea. Nearly 4,000 passengers were on board the ship, and most describe the conditions as miserable. Carnival cruise officials offered passengers $500 and a free cruise to make-up for the inconvenience.

4 On Your Side Consumer Investigator Jodi Brooks took a look at the ticket contract and found out that most of the rights go to the cruise ship company.

- The Right to be Re-paid

The contract limits the company's liability for lost or damaged bags and their contents to $50 per guests or $100 per stateroom, regardless of the number of occupants or baggage. If your items are worth more you can buy added coverage by declaring the value and paying 5% before boarding the ship.

- The Right To Sue

There are deadlines to file a lawsuit against the cruise line. The contract requires you notify Carnival within 6-months and file suit within a year.

- The Right To Be Upset

The contract states that Carnival shall not be liable for emotional distress, mental suffering or anguish, or psychological injury of any kind under any circumstances, unless intentionally inflicted by Carnival.

Carnival makes up about half of the cruise ship bookings, and it's contract is considered typical for the industry. The problem with these ticket contracts is that no one reads them until there is a problem.
RELATED: More Reports By 4 On Your Side Consumer Investigator Jodi Brooks

- Written for the Web by CBS4 Special Projects Producer Libby Smith