1. Every cruise passenger should expect a clean, well-maintained ship and accommodations offering amenities and services as advertised by the cruise line.

     2. The price of a cruise should include, as a minimum, shipboard accommodations in the category booked and paid for by the passenger, all meals, shows and other entertainment aboard ship.

     3. A cruise passenger should be able to confirm stateroom, dining seating (where appropriate) and any air and/or pre- or post-cruise tours and hotel arrangements and transfers a reasonable time prior to the cruise.

     4. If a cruise passenger misses the ship's departure because of delays or cancellations in air or other transportation arrangements made through the cruise line, the cruise line should take responsibility for assuring that the passenger joins the ship at the first possible port of call.

     5. Cruise lines should make every possible effort to adhere to the published itinerary for a cruise. When itinerary changes are made, the line should immediately notify any passengers who have already booked reservations for the sailings affected by the change and give them the opportunity to change or cancel their reservations without penalty.

     6. If weather, mechanical problems, security concerns or other factors force the line to drop a port of call or otherwise significantly alter the itinerary for a cruise too late to notify passengers in advance, the line should provide an equally attractive alternative port of call.

     7. Cruise lines should make every reasonable effort to have all passenger luggage delivered to staterooms prior to sailing so that any missing luggage can be accounted for before the ship departs.

     8. Onboard staff who have contact with passengers should be fluent in the predominant language spoken by passengers on the ship. Competent translators should be made available for passengers who speak other languages.

     9. Cruise lines should make every reasonable effort to insure the safety and security of all passengers on every cruise. Criminal or reckless behavior on the part of passengers or crew must never be tolerated or excused.

     10. Cruise passengers should follow shipboard regulations and directions and exercise reasonable precautions to protect themselves and their property.

     11. Cruise passengers should expect to find onboard medical facilities and staff capable of handling health emergencies or accidents that might reasonably occur while the ship is at sea.

     12. Mechanical and maintenance problems affecting passenger safety, comfort or use of ship's facilities should be corrected as quickly as possible.

     13. Ship's officers should provide passengers complete and accurate information concerning any emergency situation or disruption in normal cruise operations as quickly as possible.

     14. Cruise lines should provide passengers with the most accurate, complete and objective information they have available concerning ports of call visited during the cruise.

     15. Shore excursions sold through the cruise line should be priced competitively with the prices passengers would pay if they purchased the same tours and activities ashore at the port of call.

     16. Cruise lines should openly acknowledge any payments or other considerations provided by shops and attractions that are recommended or endorsed by the cruise line or its personnel.

     17. Onboard prices for beverages, souvenirs and other items should be comparable to those available on shore.

     18. Prices for special services, such as ship-to-shore telephone calls, should be clearly displayed.

     19. Tips for service delivered onboard ship should be at the discretion of the passenger, based on the quality of service provided. While tipping guidelines and suggestions provided to passengers may be a useful service, cruise lines should avoid the practice of automatically adding tips to onboard charges or pressuring passengers to leave standardized end-of-cruise tips for service personnel.

     20. If a ship is delayed returning to port at the end of the cruise, the cruise line should arrange any necessary changes in transportation arrangements for passengers returning home, including paying fees for flight changes and providing overnight accommodations if transportation cannot be arranged for the day that the ship arrives.