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Cruise Line Lawsuit Weekly: Major Filings from January 6, 2025, through January 12, 2025
Welcome back to Cruise Line Lawsuit Weekly! This week, we continue to delve into the world of cruise line litigation, uncovering the latest cases filed against major players in the industry. As always, these cases provide insights into safety, accountability, and the complex legal landscape behind luxury vacations.
For this edition, we highlight significant filings from January 6 through January 12, 2025. This week’s lawsuits bring to light allegations ranging from unsafe conditions to more serious claims of misconduct. The Southern District of Florida continues to be the hub of these legal battles, as cruise lines maintain their headquarters and primary operations here.
Highlights of the Week
Royal Caribbean – Luis Roman v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
On January 6, 2025, Luis Roman, a resident of Texas, filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Miami Division of the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 25-cv-20045). According to the allegations, Roman, a passenger aboard the Freedom of the Seas, slipped on October 5, 2023, on a wet bathroom floor at the entrance to the men’s restroom on Deck 11 near the pool. He claims the hazardous condition was caused by cleaning activities conducted without proper warning signage. Roman alleges that he suffered fractures to his tibia and fibula due to the incident and seeks damages for Royal Caribbean’s failure to maintain the vessel in a reasonably safe condition.
Royal Caribbean – V.V. and C.C. v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
V.V., a resident of Chile, and her minor child, C.C., filed a complaint on January 6, 2025, against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in Miami (Case No. 1:25-cv-20051). The lawsuit alleges that during their voyage aboard the Symphony of the Seas, a stateroom attendant placed hidden cameras in passenger bathrooms, recording private footage of passengers, including minors. For more information read our prior Article on this case.
Royal Caribbean – Debbie Ratliff v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Debbie Ratliff, a resident of Michigan, filed her case against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on January 6, 2025, in the Miami Division (Case No. 25-cv-20055). According to the allegations, on February 5, 2024, aboard the Oasis of the Seas, she slipped on a wet gangway while boarding the ship in Nassau. Ratliff claims Royal Caribbean failed to properly maintain the boarding area and provide adequate warnings about the slippery conditions. She alleges that the fall caused significant knee injuries requiring surgical intervention. For more information read our prior Article on this case.
Carnival – Wieslawa Skura v. Carnival Corporation
On January 7, 2025, Wieslawa Skura, a resident of Kentucky, filed a negligence lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in Miami (Case No. 25-cv-20065). The lawsuit alleges that on February 13, 2024, aboard the Carnival Celebration, Skura tripped over a raised mat near the sliding glass doors on Deck 16 at the Lido Marketplace. Skura claims the mat was not properly secured, creating a hazardous condition that caused her to fall and sustain severe injuries. The complaint asserts that Carnival knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to warn passengers.
Carnival – Carol Smith v. Carnival Corporation
Carol Smith, a resident of California, filed her case against Carnival Corporation on January 8, 2025, in Miami (Case No. 25-cv-20111). The lawsuit alleges that on September 12, 2023, while aboard the Radiance, Smith tripped on a raised metal threshold in a walkway between the casino and Bonsai Sushi on Deck 5. She claims the uneven threshold was a known tripping hazard and asserts that Carnival’s negligence in maintaining safe walkways caused her to sustain injuries to both knees.
Celebrity – Alexandria Lewis v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc.
Alexandria Lewis, a resident of Virginia, filed her complaint on January 8, 2025, against Celebrity Cruises, Inc. (Case No. 1:25-cv-20113). According to the allegations, on February 5, 2024, while aboard the Celebrity Reflection, Lewis slipped on water tracked from the galley to the Oceanview Cafe on Deck 14. The lawsuit asserts that the crew failed to clean the area or warn passengers about the slippery floor, resulting in her fall. She claims that Celebrity Cruises was negligent in monitoring and maintaining dry and safe conditions in high-traffic areas.
Carnival – Elizabeth Sutton v. Carnival Corporation
Elizabeth Sutton, a resident of California, filed her lawsuit against Carnival Corporation on January 10, 2025, in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 25-cv-20142). The lawsuit alleges that on December 15, 2023, while aboard the Carnival Miracle, Sutton was in the Cloud 9 Spa sauna on Deck 9 when a wooden bench collapsed as she stepped down. She claims the incident caused her severe injuries, including lower back pain, leg contusions, and sciatic nerve damage. Sutton asserts that Carnival was negligent in inspecting and maintaining spa equipment to ensure passenger safety.
Why Follow Cruise Line Litigation?
Each of these cases highlights allegations of unsafe conditions, breaches of trust, and the responsibilities cruise lines have to their passengers. Whether it’s addressing maintenance failures or ensuring proper training for crew members, these lawsuits shed light on the legal and operational challenges in the cruise industry.
Join us next week as we continue to uncover the latest legal developments in Cruise Line litigation.
