All Ages Aboard! Cruising with Family—and Protecting Your Rights

Historical and Educational Fun:

• Visit the Galveston Railroad Museum to explore vintage engines, railcars, and interactive exhibits.
• Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Historic Strand District!
• Explore The Bryan Museum for Texas History, with kid-friendly exhibits.
• Walk aboard the Elissa, docked by the Texas Seaport Museum, and learn about the Port’s maritime heritage!

Outdoor Adventures:

• Spend time at Galveston Island State Park with nature trails, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
• Visit East Beach for sandcastle building and surfside fun.
• Explore the Galveston Seawall Boulevard, great for biking or walking with scenic ocean views.
• Take the kids to the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, with carnival games and rides on the water.

Interactive Experiences:

• Experience the Rainforest Pyramid at Moody Gardens, featuring exotic butterflies and tropical animals.
• See the Aquarium Pyramid’s sharks, penguins, and hands-on touch tanks.
• Watch Pirates in Paradise dinner show (combining entertainment AND local history!)
• Check out the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, for a unique look into the history and technology of offshore industries (including hands-on vessel navigation and rig demos!)

Onboard Activities That’ll Keep Your Crew Happy

Many of today’s cruise ships are floating theme parks designed with families in mind. Here are some of the top kid-friendly attractions and activities offered by cruise lines sailing from Galveston:

Making Memories Safely

The good news is that serious injuries on cruise ships are relatively unusual, and most families have wonderful, incident-free vacations. Here are some proactive steps to keep your family safe:

Pre-Cruise Preparation:

• Pack a basic first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers.
• Bring any prescription medications your children need, plus extras.
• Keep emergency contact information handy, including your pediatrician’s number.
• Review your insurance company’s travel assistance and coverage policies.

Onboard Safety Tips:

• Make sure kids understand emergency procedures.
• Establish meet-up points and rules for older children who may have more independence.
• Always supervise young children around pools, water slides, and deck areas
• Be aware of wet surfaces and remind kids to walk, not run, on decks

Communication and Awareness:

• Stay informed about daily activities and any safety announcements.
• Keep your cabin card and emergency contact information with you at all times.
• Teach older children how to contact ship security or medical if needed.
• Be aware of your children’s whereabouts and check in regularly.

What to Do If Your Child Gets Hurt: A Parent’s Action Plan

Nobody wants to think about accidents or injuries on vacation, but being prepared can make all the difference. Cruise ships operate under maritime law, which creates unique considerations for medical emergencies and legal rights.

Immediate Steps

• Report the Incident: Notify ship security and medical staff immediately. Insist on a written incident report and make sure you get a copy for your records.
• Document Everything: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any hazardous conditions. Collect statements and contact information from witnesses.
• Seek Medical Attention: Even for seemingly minor injuries, see the ship’s medical staff.
• Preserve Evidence: Keep all records, receipts, and documentation related to your injury.
  • Don’t Forget to Check/Collect:
    • Security Footage: Extensive surveillance systems monitor and record public areas on cruise ships, and can be used to review and provide evidence related to the incident.
    • Eyewitness Testimony: Passengers and crew can provide insight into what occurred.

After Returning Home

• Medical Follow-Up: See your personal physician promptly for a thorough evaluation and continued treatment. Health comes first!
• Legal Consultation: Contact an experienced maritime personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The shortened statute of limitations means time is absolutely critical.

Cruise ships have a legal obligation to provide a safe environment. A cruise line may be held liable if a passenger is injured due to:

• Ship or crew negligence;
• Inadequate safety protocols;
• Poor vessel or equipment maintenance;
• Inadequate crew training.

If negligence is proven, victims or families may be able to pursue legal claims for:

• Medical costs;
• Emotional distress;
• Lost income;
• Wrongful death damages.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

When you purchase a ticket for a cruise, you are entering into a contract with specific limitations on your legal rights. One of the most critical of these is the Statute of Limitations—the deadline by which you must file a legal claim if you are injured or become ill during your cruise.

• Most cruise lines include strict legal terms in their ticket contracts, including a written notice of injury within six months. Often, receiving treatment from ship doctors or talking to staff does not count as official notice of a legal claim.

Even if the cruise line offers compensation or cruise credit, it doesn’t pause the legal clock. To protect your rights:

• Document EVERYTHING: While both on the ship and after disembarking, maintain detailed records of the incident and medical treatment, including but not limited to the date, location, and the nature of the injury/illness, as well as the dates and names and of those you spoke to and ANY written communication. 

• Send a formal, written notice of your claim outlining your injury and intent to seek compensation.
• DON’T DELAY—waiting could mean losing your chance at compensation.
• Consult a maritime attorney as quickly as possible (such as the team here at the Herd Law Firm) to navigate this process.

Cruising is magical—but make sure you’re covered if things go wrong. Know your rights, act quickly, and don’t let legal fine print sink your claim.

We at the Herd Law Firm, PLLC are proud to fight for seamen, maritime workers and passengers in all types of personal injury and death claims. As maritime personal injury attorneys (and sailors ourselves!) located in northwest Houston, we never waver in our commitment to help these maritime workers, passengers, and their families when they are injured or mistreated.

7/23/2025

Sources and Additional Information:

• Galveston Tourism Information: https://www.galveston.com/
• Moody Gardens: https://www.moodygardens.org/
• Galveston Island State Park: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/galveston-island
• Galveston Railroad Museum: https://www.galvestonrrmuseum.org/
• Royal Caribbean International: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/
• Norwegian Cruise Line: https://www.ncl.com/
• Princess Cruises: https://www.princess.com/
• Carnival Cruise Line: https://www.carnival.com/
• MSC Cruises: https://www.msccruises.com/
• Maritime Law and Cruise Ship Accidents: https://www.maritime-law.com/
• Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Safety Information: https://cruising.org/
• CDC Travel Health Information: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
• Federal Maritime Commission: https://www.fmc.gov/
• Travel Insurance Association: https://www.travelinsuranceassociation.org/