Safeguarding American Tourism Act

The Safeguarding American Tourism Act would largely loosen certain long-standing maritime rules for very large cruise ships. Specifically, it would exempt cruise vessels with 800 or more passenger berths from key domestic-ship requirements under the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) and the Jones Act (coastwise laws) when they transport passengers between U.S. ports (including itineraries via foreign ports). In addition, the bill adjusts temporary landing rules for alien crewmembers, aiming to streamline or standardize how crewmembers may land in the United States during their visa period. A general rule of construction keeps existing U.S. law in place for vessels that do not meet the 800-berth threshold or for activities outside the explicit exemptions. In short, the bill would make it easier for very large cruise ships to operate interport itineraries in U.S. waters by relaxing certain eligibility requirements, while also changing some immigration-related landing procedures for cruise-ship crews. It is an introduced Senate bill and would need approval from Congress and the President to become law.