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How to File a Cruise Ship Injury Lawsuit: Statute of Limitations, Notice Requirements, and Jurisdiction
If you’re injured on a cruise ship, time is not on your side. Most cruise lines impose strict deadlines for both providing notice and filing a lawsuit. Many limit your time to just one year from the date of the incident — far shorter than typical personal injury deadlines.
This guide covers the ticket contract requirements of major cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, and more. We highlight:
- The filing deadline
- Where to file your case
- How long you have to give notice
- Links to official cruise ticket contracts
One-Year Statute of Limitations for Cruise Injuries
Nearly all cruise line contracts require passengers to file suit within 1 year of the injury. This short deadline applies even if your home state has a longer statute of limitations. The deadline usually starts on the date of the accident, not when you return home or are diagnosed.
Failing to file in time will likely result in your case being dismissed permanently.
Cruise Line Filing Info, Notice Requirements & Ticket Contracts
Below is a summary of the notice period, court venue, and official ticket contract for each major cruise line.
Carnival Cruise Lines
- Legal Name: Carnival Corporation d/b/a Carnival Cruise Lines
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 185 days
- Email: guestcare@carnival.com
- View Ticket Contract
Azamara
- Legal Name: SP Cruises Opco Limited d/b/a Azamara
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 180 days
- View Ticket Contract
MSC Cruises
- Legal Name: MSC Cruises, S.A.
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 185 days
- View Ticket Contract
Royal Caribbean (U.S.)
- Legal Name: Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. d/b/a Royal Caribbean Group
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 180 days
- Email: guestclaims@rccl.com
- View Ticket Contract
Celebrity Cruises (U.S.)
- Legal Name: Celebrity Cruises Inc.
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 180 days
- Email: guestclaims@rccl.com
- View Ticket Contract
Royal Caribbean (Non-U.S.)
- Venue: England, Wales
- Notice Period: 180 days
- Email: claims.intl@rccl.com
- View Ticket Contract
Celebrity Cruises (Non-U.S.)
- Venue: England
- Notice Period: 180 days
- Email: claims.intl@rccl.com
- View Ticket Contract
Norwegian Cruise Line
- Legal Name: NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. d/b/a NCL
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 185 days
- Email: nclguestclaims@ncl.com
- View Ticket Contract
Princess Cruises
- Legal Name: Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd.
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 180 days
- Email: customerrelations@princesscruises.com
- View Ticket Contract
Disney Cruise Line (U.S.)
- Legal Name: Magical Cruise Company, Limited d/b/a Disney Cruise Line
- Venue: Middle District of Florida
- Notice Period: 180 days
- View Ticket Contract
Disney Cruise Line (UK/EU)
- Venue: England
- Notice Period: 60 days
- View Ticket Contract
Disney Cruise Line (AUS/NZ)
- Venue: Middle District of Florida / New South Wales / New Zealand
- Notice Period: 180 days
- View Ticket Contract
Virgin Voyages
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 180 days
- Ticket contract URL not available
Oceania Cruises
- Legal Name: Oceania Cruises Ltd.
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 180 days
- View Ticket Contract
Holland America
- Venue: Western District of Washington
- Notice Period: 180 days
- Email: guestrelations@hollandamerica.com
- View Ticket Contract
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Legal Name: Seven Seas Cruises Ltd. d/b/a Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 180 days
- View Ticket Contract
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
- Legal Name: Cruise Yacht OpCo Ltd / Next-Gen Cruises Ltd
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 180 days
- Email: legal@ritz-carltonyachtcollection.com
- View Ticket Contract
Ritz-Carlton EU
- Venue: Malta
- Notice Period: 28 days
- View Ticket Contract
Windstar Cruises
- Venue: Southern District of Florida
- Notice Period: 180 days
- Email: GuestRelations@windstarcruises.com
- View Ticket Contract
What to Do Next
- Review your cruise ticket contract.
- Determine your notice deadline and file date.
- Send proper notice in writing.
- Consult with a maritime personal injury lawyer.
Need Help?
Our firm helps cruise injury victims comply with tight deadlines and recover fair compensation. Contact us for a free case evaluation before your time runs out.