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Lawsuit Filed Against Royal Caribbean Over Hidden Camera Incident on Symphony of the Seas
Published January 7, 2025
A lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), alleging severe privacy violations and emotional distress suffered by a mother and her minor child during a voyage aboard the Symphony of the Seas. The plaintiffs, identified as V.V. and her minor child C.C., are citizens and residents of Chile. They are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for what they describe as a shocking invasion of their privacy.
The Incident
According to the complaint, V.V. and C.C. discovered a concealed camera hidden in the bathroom of their stateroom during their October 2, 2024, cruise. The camera, positioned to record individuals in a state of undress, was allegedly placed by a Royal Caribbean crewmember. The plaintiffs contend that they have a reasonable fear that private images of them may have been recorded and possibly distributed online, including on the dark web.
The incident came to light against the backdrop of a prior, similar case involving a crewmember on the Symphony of the Seas. The individual, Arvin Joseph Mirasol, was arrested and later pled guilty to charges related to the production of child pornography. Mirasol admitted to repeatedly placing hidden cameras in passenger bathrooms during his employment as a stateroom attendant.
Legal Allegations
The plaintiffs have raised several claims against RCCL:
- Vicarious Liability:
- The lawsuit argues that RCCL is responsible for the actions of its employees, including intentional acts such as invasion of privacy and infliction of emotional distress.
- The plaintiffs allege that RCCL gave the crewmember access to passenger staterooms without adequate oversight or safeguards, enabling the misconduct.
- Negligence:
- The complaint asserts that RCCL failed to take reasonable steps to prevent such incidents despite prior knowledge of similar misconduct aboard its vessels.
- Specific allegations include failure to properly screen employees, inadequate training, poor supervision, and the absence of robust inspection protocols to detect hidden cameras.
- Failure to Warn:
- The plaintiffs argue that RCCL knew or should have known about the risks of privacy invasions and failed to warn passengers.
- The lawsuit highlights a prior incident on RCCL’s Harmony of the Seas, where a hidden camera in a public bathroom recorded over 150 individuals, including minors, before being discovered.
Emotional and Financial Impact
The complaint details the severe emotional distress suffered by the plaintiffs, including anxiety, loss of privacy, and post-traumatic stress. They also cite ongoing fears about potential online distribution of the private images. Additionally, the plaintiffs allege that the incident has led to significant medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and reduced earning capacity.
The plaintiffs are demanding compensation for these harms, as well as punitive damages to hold RCCL accountable and deter similar incidents in the future.
Broader Implications
This lawsuit underscores growing concerns about passenger safety and privacy aboard cruise ships. It draws attention to RCCL’s alleged pattern of privacy violations, citing governmental statistics on sexual offenses aboard its vessels and highlighting repeated failures to address the risks of hidden surveillance devices.
Seeking Justice
Filed on January 6, 2025, the lawsuit, case no.: 25-cv-20051-KMM, is the latest in a series of legal actions that aim to hold cruise operators accountable for safeguarding passenger privacy. The plaintiffs have requested a jury trial and are determined to seek justice for the harm they endured.
As the case unfolds, it will likely prompt scrutiny of RCCL’s policies and practices concerning passenger safety and privacy, with potential implications for the broader cruise industry.