Wegweiser Travellers · Your rights on holidays and private trips Deutsch

🚢 Ferry and cruise

Rights in case of ferry delay or cancellation under the EU maritime regulation, and special features of cruises.

ferry cruise 1177/2010 ship delay Eisenbahn-Bundesamt complaint package holiday

In brief

For sea travel in the EU, Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 applies. It applies if the port of embarkation is in the EU, or the port of disembarkation is in the EU and a Union carrier operates the service (Art. 2 (1)).

  • In case of delay you get 25 percent of the fare, for a delay twice as long 50 percent.
  • The complaint must be made within 2 months.
  • Cruises are excluded from refund, re-routing and delay compensation.

If the cruise is a package holiday (for example with a flight), the rules on the package holiday page also apply.

Step by step

  1. Record the timesNote the scheduled and actual departure and arrival.
  2. Report to the shipping companyFile the complaint with the carrier within 2 months.
  3. Collect receiptsKeep the ticket, invoices and correspondence.
  4. If rejectedEisenbahn-Bundesamt or Schlichtung Reise & Verkehr.

Deadlines

2 months
Complaint to the carrierRegulation (EU) No 1177/2010 Art. 24
25 % / 50 %
Compensation by length of delay, scaled by journey duration (1, 2, 3 or 6 hours)Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 Art. 19
Watch out – common mistakes
  • The maritime regulation contains exceptions (for example weather).
  • There are exceptions for small operators and short routes (according to EBA).
  • Cruises are excluded from refund, re-routing and delay compensation.
  • Ferry trips with a car: for vehicle questions see Kfz-Halter (vehicle owners).
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Scope

Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 governs passenger rights in sea and inland waterway transport where, under Art. 2 (1), the port of embarkation is in the EU or the port of disembarkation is in the EU and the service is provided by a Union carrier. Cruises are excluded from refund, re-routing and delay compensation.

Compensation

Under Art. 19, compensation is at least 25 percent of the fare for a delay of one hour (journey up to 4 hours), two hours (over 4 to 8), three hours (over 8 to 24) or six hours (over 24 hours); for a delay twice as long, 50 percent. The complaint must be filed within 2 months (Art. 24).

Enforcement

The national enforcement body in Germany is the Eisenbahn-Bundesamt (Bonn), hotline +49 228 307 95-400 (according to BMV). The EBA points out that examining a complaint takes time. Small operators and short routes are partly exempt.

Who is responsible
  • Shipping company/ferry operator
  • Eisenbahn-Bundesamt, Bonn (enforcement)
  • Schlichtung Reise & Verkehr e.V.
Further reading
Train: passenger rights in case of delay and cancellationPackage holiday: withdrawal, defects, insolvency protectionAdvice and contact points

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Ferry and cruise“?
Rights in case of ferry delay or cancellation under the EU maritime regulation, and special features of cruises.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 2 months: Complaint to the carrier (Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 Art. 24)
  • 25 % / 50 %: Compensation by length of delay, scaled by journey duration (1, 2, 3 or 6 hours) (Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 Art. 19)
What should I do first?
  • Record the times: Note the scheduled and actual departure and arrival.
  • Report to the shipping company: File the complaint with the carrier within 2 months.
  • Collect receipts: Keep the ticket, invoices and correspondence.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • The maritime regulation contains exceptions (for example weather).
  • There are exceptions for small operators and short routes (according to EBA).
  • Cruises are excluded from refund, re-routing and delay compensation.
Evidence
  • Eisenbahn-Bundesamt, Fahrgastrechte im Schiffsverkehr, retrieved 21 September 2026
  • EUR-Lex, Verordnung (EU) Nr. 1177/2010 , retrieved 21 September 2026
  • BMV, Fahr- und Fluggastrechte, retrieved 21 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.