Fatal Bus Accident Raises Liability Questions

[Jason]

12 U.S. Tourists Die In Accident: Cruise Line Says It's Not Familiar With Tour Company

MIAMI -- Experts are warning that passengers who take onshore excursions like the one that killed 12 Americans on Thursday in Chile need to think about protecting themselves.

That's because the cruise ship company may not be liable for injuries suffered on non-affiliated tours. In addition, those tours do not undergo the same vetting process faced by tour groups associated with the cruise ships, a travel agents group said Friday.

Paul Ruden, senior vice president for the American Society of Travel Agents, said passengers need to be particularly careful when they choose tours that aren't affiliated with the cruise line.

Celebrity Cruises said that appears to be the case in Chile.

Local authorities said the group was returning to the ship when their bus swerved to avoid a truck and plummeted 300 feet. Celebrity Cruises said it does not work with that particular tour company.

Source: The Associated Press

[sailinglisa]

Now, how can Celebrity be held liable for a tour that was not booked through them? YOU assume the risk if you book an independent shore excursion.