Executive Yuan Approves Rules for Cruise Tickets: Prices Must Be Clearly Labeled, Arbitrary Itinerary Changes Prohibited
To reduce consumer disputes related to cruises, Taiwan's Executive Yuan has approved the "Standardized Contract Regulations for Cruise Ticket Services." The new rules mandate that cruise companies must clearly state ticket prices and prohibit arbitrary changes to itineraries.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 22:11
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Central News Agency
(CNA, Taipei, 14th, Reporter Lai Yu-zhen) To reduce consumer disputes over cruises, Deputy Premier Cheng Li-chun, presiding over the Executive Yuan's Consumer Protection Committee meeting today, approved the "Standardized Contract Regulations for Cruise Ticket Services." Key points include requiring cruise companies to clearly label ticket prices, allowing passengers to transfer their spot to a third party if they cannot participate before the voyage begins, and prohibiting arbitrary changes to the itinerary.
The Executive Yuan stated in a press release this evening that cruise products and services are diverse and often sold through different channels, which in the past easily led to consumer disputes over unclear contracting parties, service scope, fee items, and responsibilities for itinerary changes. Presiding over the "98th Meeting of the Executive Yuan's Consumer Protection Committee" today, Cheng Li-chun approved the "Mandatory and Prohibitory Provisions of the Standardized Contract for Cruise Ticket Services" drafted by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and requested the ministry to announce the new regulations in accordance with the law.
The Executive Yuan explained that the "Mandatory and Prohibitory Provisions of the Standardized Contract for Cruise Ticket Services" apply to cruises that are primarily marketed to and sold in Taiwan and operate with Taiwan as a homeport, clearly defining the cruise company and the passenger as the parties to the contract.
Regarding other key points, the Executive Yuan noted that the standardized contract requires cruise companies to clearly label ticket prices and prohibits hidden surcharges, thereby making prices and information transparent. Before the voyage begins, if a passenger cannot participate for some reason, they may arrange for a third party to take their place, and the cruise company may not refuse without a valid reason. If the voyage does not proceed as agreed upon due to reasons attributable to the cruise company, passengers may claim compensation for their wasted time.
Furthermore, the standardized contract also prohibits arbitrary changes to the itinerary. Except for force majeure or reasons not attributable to the operator, operators may not arbitrarily change the itinerary. If they do, the prescribed refund and compensation mechanism will apply to protect passengers' rights.
Cheng Li-chun also reminded the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to strengthen the promotion of the relevant content through multiple channels, conduct timely inspections, and establish a task force to handle disputes. It is hoped that through the legalization process, cruise consumer disputes can be effectively reduced, providing passengers with more security when purchasing cruise tickets and greater peace of mind when traveling. (Editor: Chang Jo-yao) 1150514
(CNA, Taipei, 14th, Reporter Lai Yu-zhen) To reduce consumer disputes over cruises, Deputy Premier Cheng Li-chun, presiding over the Executive Yuan's Consumer Protection Committee meeting today, approved the "Standardized Contract Regulations for Cruise Ticket Services." Key points include requiring cruise companies to clearly label ticket prices, allowing passengers to transfer their spot to a third party if they cannot participate before the voyage begins, and prohibiting arbitrary changes to the itinerary.
The Executive Yuan stated in a press release this evening that cruise products and services are diverse and often sold through different channels, which in the past easily led to consumer disputes over unclear contracting parties, service scope, fee items, and responsibilities for itinerary changes. Presiding over the "98th Meeting of the Executive Yuan's Consumer Protection Committee" today, Cheng Li-chun approved the "Mandatory and Prohibitory Provisions of the Standardized Contract for Cruise Ticket Services" drafted by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and requested the ministry to announce the new regulations in accordance with the law.
The Executive Yuan explained that the "Mandatory and Prohibitory Provisions of the Standardized Contract for Cruise Ticket Services" apply to cruises that are primarily marketed to and sold in Taiwan and operate with Taiwan as a homeport, clearly defining the cruise company and the passenger as the parties to the contract.
Regarding other key points, the Executive Yuan noted that the standardized contract requires cruise companies to clearly label ticket prices and prohibits hidden surcharges, thereby making prices and information transparent. Before the voyage begins, if a passenger cannot participate for some reason, they may arrange for a third party to take their place, and the cruise company may not refuse without a valid reason. If the voyage does not proceed as agreed upon due to reasons attributable to the cruise company, passengers may claim compensation for their wasted time.
Furthermore, the standardized contract also prohibits arbitrary changes to the itinerary. Except for force majeure or reasons not attributable to the operator, operators may not arbitrarily change the itinerary. If they do, the prescribed refund and compensation mechanism will apply to protect passengers' rights.
Cheng Li-chun also reminded the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to strengthen the promotion of the relevant content through multiple channels, conduct timely inspections, and establish a task force to handle disputes. It is hoped that through the legalization process, cruise consumer disputes can be effectively reduced, providing passengers with more security when purchasing cruise tickets and greater peace of mind when traveling. (Editor: Chang Jo-yao) 1150514