Rockefeller Not Easing Up on Cruise Lines, Calls Another Hearing
Sen. John D. "Jay" Rockefeller IV isn't easing up on the cruise industry — he's called another hearing to focus on consumer protection in light of recent ship incidents. "I've been told time and again that cruise lines will change, that things will get better for passengers. But according to our investigation, it doesn't seem like things have changed," Rockefeller said. "I'm coming to this hearing with an open mind, but so far the cruise lines haven't been willing to make enough changes that matter on their own. I expect straightforward answers from our witnesses, not more empty promises about how things will get better after the next safety review."
The hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Eastern time July 24 at 253 Russell Senate Office Building. It is titled, "Cruise Industry Oversight: Recent Incidents Show Need for Stronger Focus on Consumer Protection." The hearing will be shown via a webcast.
Rockefeller has been engaged in a tussle with cruise lines going back to March 2012, when he held a hearing after "a series of alarming safety incidents on cruise ships." He stepped up his battle this year after more incidents, including the Carnival Triumph fire, which lost power in the Gulf of Mexico for several days in February. After that incident, he wrote the CEOs of Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Norwegian Cruise Line, asking for more information about their passenger safety, security, and health practices.
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