Senate committee schedules hearing on cruise industry oversight

The Senate Commerce committee has scheduled a hearing for July 24 on consumer protection in the cruise industry.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, (D-W.Va.), who chairs the committee, said recent incidents endangered thousands of Americans traveling on cruise ships.

“I’m coming to this hearing with an open mind,” Rockefeller said in a statement, “but so far the cruise lines haven’t been willing to make enough changes that matter on their own. I expect straightforward answers from our witnesses, not more empty promises about how things will get better after the next safety review.”

The hearing is planned for 2:30 p.m in Room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building and will be transmitted live on a webcast accessible through the Senate Commerce committee webpage.

Rockefeller’s announcement did not say who is expected to testify at the hearing.

Follow @tstravelweekly on Twitter.