Maryland Charges Capital Jazz Over $642K in Cruise Refunds
The case highlights the risks travelers face when themed charter cruises collapse, as states push promoters to meet the refund standards consumers expect.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown’s office has filed charges against Capital Jazz and owner Clifford Hunte over a canceled March 2026 Caribbean Jazz SuperCruise, alleging customers still have not received refunds. The Consumer Protection Division says known unpaid claims cover at least 103 customers and total at least $642,240, and that the amount owed may be higher.
The case follows a 2025 settlement over earlier canceled SuperCruises, a prior matter now folded into the state’s allegations against the Maryland-based promoter. Brown’s office alleges Capital Jazz failed to meet refund obligations for the 2026 sailing and also fell behind on restitution and penalties required under the earlier agreement.
“Capital Jazz made a commitment to Maryland consumers and broke it, and then they brazenly did it again,” Brown said in announcing the charges.
The division alleges the conduct violated Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, which bars unfair or deceptive consumer practices and gives the division authority to pursue restitution and penalties.
Canceled charter left passengers with travel costs
Capital Jazz, founded in 1992 and the company behind Capital Jazz Fest, promoted the sailing as a March 22-29 private charter aboard the MSC Divina. MSC Cruises canceled the charter in November 2025 after the organizer failed to pay the cruise line on time. Customers received notice approximately four months later.
By then, guests had paid for cruise bookings and in many cases had also arranged flights and hotel stays near PortMiami. The division alleges Capital Jazz continued taking new bookings, deposits and payments until shortly before passengers were told the trip would not operate.
MSC Cruises offered affected guests the option to book directly with the cruise line for the same dates after returning the ship to regular service. Some passengers had spent more than $7,000, and in some cases more than $8,000, on their original reservations and said they could not afford to rebook before receiving refunds.
Earlier settlement and next hearing
The 2026 sailing was the third Capital Jazz SuperCruise canceled in five years. In the 2025 settlement, Brown’s office secured refunds tied to prior cancellations after customers had waited more than a year; the new charges say Capital Jazz also stopped paying amounts required under that settlement.
The charges are scheduled for a July 21 hearing before the Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings, where penalties and consumer reimbursement will be determined through the administrative process. Consumers who believe they are due a refund have been directed to contact the Attorney General’s Office at 410-528-8662.
