Boat trips: European protection
More than 400 million people pass through European ports every year. The European Regulation 1177/2010 has been in force since 18 December 2012, with the aim of providing better protection for boat passengers.
The guidelines relating to boat trips deal with:
- the obligation to inform passengers
- assistance and indemnification in case of delays or cancellations
- enhanced protection of people with reduced mobility
Right to information during boat trips
Carriers and terminal operators are obliged to provide you with sufficient information (for example, about delays) during your boat trip, and this in the language they use for conveying general information. People with reduced mobility will thereby receive special attention.
Boat trips without discrimination
The European legislation regarding boat trips prohibits any form of direct or indirect discrimination:
- concerning rates or the terms of an agreement
- on the basis of the nationality of passengers
- within branches of a carrier or ticket vendor within the EU
Complaints about your boat trip?
Are you a boat passenger and want to make a complaint about your boat trip? Please do so no later than two months after the end of your journey, or after the originally scheduled travel date.
The carrier must provide you with an acknowledgement of receipt, at the latest after one month, in which they state whether they confirm, reject or are investigating your complaint. The final reply should not take longer than two months after receipt of the complaint.
You should also find out your rights in the case of delayed or cancelled boat trips, or the arrangements that are available to ensure that people with reduced mobility can travel comfortably by boat.
