MARITIME LAW Archives

Let’s sink these antiquated shipping laws for good

April 8, 2026March 29, 2026 by Christopher Elliott

After Richard Karwic left his cruise early to check on his elderly mother-in-law, he was shocked to receive a $300 fine from his cruise line.

I paid Holland America for a cruise, but now it wants another $800!

February 18, 2026February 18, 2026 by Christopher Elliott

Greg Rothman thought his Holland America cruise was locked in: a seven-day Caribbean sailing in a veranda stateroom for $650, courtesy of an MGM casino certificate. He pays in full and then books non-refundable airline tickets from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale. Hours later, a second invoice arrives — this one demanding another $800 or threatening to bump him down to a windowless interior cabin.

David Aronstein's Alaskan cruise took an unexpected turn when he contracted Covid-19. While the onboard medical team provided excellent care, he faced a new challenge upon returning home: a $750 bill for Paxlovid treatment. His insurance company required medical records to process the claim, but despite multiple attempts to obtain these from Holland America, David received no response. The cruise line directed him to fill out a release form and send it to their parent company, Carnival, but this yielded no results. David's perseverance highlights the importance of securing medical records immediately after treatment.

How do I get Holland America to send me my medical records? I keep asking.

January 6, 2026July 31, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

David Aronstein needs his medical records from Holland America. Without them, he can’t file an insurance claim for the treatment he received on a cruise. What’s the holdup?

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