IrelandMy cruise was terrible. What law applies in Ireland?
If your cruise was booked as part of a package holiday in Ireland, the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995 applies — giving you legal rights to compensation for poor service or failure to deliver what was promised.
What the Law Says
The Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995 is Ireland’s main law protecting consumers who book package holidays — including cruises that combine transport, accommodation, and/or other services for an inclusive price.
Under this law, a 'package holiday' means a combination of at least two of the following: transport, accommodation, or other tourist services (e.g., excursions or guided tours), sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price and covering a period of more than 24 hours or including overnight accommodation.
If your cruise was sold as a package — for example, with flights, hotel stays before/after, or shore excursions bundled in — it falls under this Act. The travel agent or tour operator must meet all promises made in brochures, websites, or contracts.
Section 20 places strict liability on the organiser: if any part of the package fails to match what was agreed — such as poor onboard conditions, cancelled ports, or misleading descriptions — you may claim compensation, even if the operator wasn’t negligent.
Statutory TextWhere a package holiday is not provided in accordance with the terms of the contract, the organiser shall be liable to the consumer for any loss or damage suffered by the consumer as a result.
— Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995, s. 20 — Liability of organiser
What to Do
Check your booking confirmation and marketing materials to confirm it was a 'package holiday' under the Act.
Contact the travel agent or tour operator in writing within a reasonable time, outlining the problems and requesting redress (refund, compensation, or remedial action).
Keep all evidence: photos, emails, boarding passes, receipts, and notes of conversations.
If unresolved, complain to the Commission for Aviation Regulation (now part of the CCPC) or consider taking a claim in the District Court (within 6 years of the breach).
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.