how does the jones act affect cruise ships 
while the jones act does not cover passenger vessels a related law has a similar effect on cruise ships under the 1886 passenger vessel services act a foreign ship cannot transport passengers directly between two u s ports 12 this means that a foreign flagged cruise ship the vast majority of cruise ships must include foreign ports in any itinerary that begins and ends in a u s port this often results in confusion or even fines for passengers who disembark at ports that violate the jones act 