What is the Jones Act and How Does it Impact Cruise Ships? | The Points Guy

You may have heard of the Jones Act in discussions about cruising, piquing your curiosity about what, if any, impact a century-old law has on your cruise. But I bet you haven’t heard of the lesser-known Passenger Vessel Services Act, which actually dictates how cruise lines plan itineraries.
If you’ve ever wondered why cruise ships can’t sail from one U.S. port to another without visiting a foreign country, or just like to geek out on the minutiae of legal issues around your favorite vacation type, prepare to have your mind blown about the ramifications of shipping laws on cruise travel.