International Council Of Cruise Lines Celebrating Its 15th Anniversary
The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2005 and has published a one-time magazine highlighting the regulatory landscape of the cruise industry. The ICCL’s 15th anniversary magazine, published by Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC, parallels the mission of the trade association, which is to promote measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy ship board environment. The magazine highlights the issues facing the cruise industry and demonstrates how government, cruise lines and legislators work together in the areas of safety, security, environment and health. It also looks at the industry’s economic growth and outlook and the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation. “The industry veteran and newcomer alike will learn something about the cruise industry through the ICCL’s 15th anniversary magazine,” said Michael Crye, ICCL president. “Editorial contribution from the top officials at the International Maritime Organization and U.S. Coast Guard prove the valuable partnerships the cruise industry has with these regulatory agencies, which is imperative to our future success,” he said. “We are proud of how the cruise industry has evolved over the past 15 years and the social responsibility it takes on the issues,” said Crye. “The ICCL is looking forward to serving the cruise industry through the years and challenges to come.”
Incorporated in Washington, D.C., on November 21, 1990, the ICCL is a successor to previous industry groups such as the International Committee of Passenger Lines and Ad Hoc Committee of European Passenger Lines established in the 1960s. The ICCL works together with its sister cruise industry associations, including Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), North West CruiseShip Association (NWCA), Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) and the newly formed European Cruise Council (ECC).
Website: www.iccl.org

ICCL Supports Supreme Court Case Reviewing ADA Disabilities Act At Sea
The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) is grateful that the U.S. Supreme Court has taken up the matter of whether the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies at sea, particularly to ships entering the United States, and how to reconcile conflicts with foreign and international laws and safety regulations in the absence of any statutory or regulatory standards. The ICCL is pleased to have the Court review this case so that the law is clear and consistent regarding the standards to accommodate passengers with disabilities.
The cruise industry’s responsiveness in accommodating guests worldwide has resulted in a substantial and growing number of cruise passengers traveling with special needs. However, neither the ADA nor any subsequent regulations have clarified precisely what foreign-built ships must do to reconcile accessibility with mandatory international safety standards.

The popularity of cruising to guests with special needs is due in large part to the great strides by member lines in making ships accessible. Many find cruises to be more convenient and accessible than shore side hotels, especially those located in ports of call outside the United States. Despite the unique challenges invariably encountered when sailing on the ocean, ICCL cruise ships routinely accommodate wheelchairs, electric mobility devices and service animals; provide wheelchair-accessible cabins and communication auxiliary aids; and make every reasonable effort without sacrificing safety to accommodate all guests.
Numerous technical issues are associated with harmonizing accessibility and safety requirements for ships. The Safety Of Life At Sea Convention (SOLAS), which has been ratified by the United States, dictates particular design, construction and operation standards for oceangoing ships. These include maintenance of water tight compartments, fire safe zones, unobstructed emergency egress and mandatory participation in fire drills. Unlike buildings, ships must function as places of refuge in the remote event of a maritime emergency and do not have immediate access to shore side resources when on the high seas.
The complete absence of any statutory or regulatory framework for applying the ADA to foreign ships raises serious practical issues for cruise operators when trying to accommodate passengers with special needs.
Of the more than 100 foreign cruise ships visiting North America annually, some routinely embark or disembark passengers in U.S. ports, others do so occasionally, and still others only rarely schedule U.S.-based voyages. The ships vary in size, age, nation of construction and registry. The confusion over the extent of the ADA’s application in these varied contexts has fomented litigation in many jurisdictions by advocacy groups and individuals who, regardless of their good intentions, seek to impose their own accessibility standards on this international industry. Because of various contradictory lower court decisions, federal judges around the nation are being asked to guess what Congress intended to be the required level of accessibility, and as such we welcome guidance and clarification from the U.S. Supreme Court.