NEW YORK — The world’s largest cruise provider and the Justice Department announced a settlement Thursday regarding access for people with disabilities on 62 ships in the Carnival, Holland America and Princess Cruises brands.
Carnival Corp. will pay a civil penalty of $55,000 to the government and $350,000 damages to individuals harmed by past discrimination.
The settlement is the result of an investigation of complaints by the Justice Department. Among the complaints were allegations that the company failed to provide and reserve accessible cabins for individuals with mobility disabilities, to give individuals with disabilities the same opportunities to participate in programs and services, and to provide effective emergency communications.
Under the settlement, cruise operators will provide a minimum number of accessible cabins and develop a remediation plan to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the Justice Department.
“People with disabilities who travel must be able to count on getting the accessible cabin they reserve, and the cruise lines must provide equal access to the choice of amenities and attractions that passengers expect from a major cruise company like Carnival Corporation,” Vanita Gupta of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said.
