Cruise Line Lawsuit Weekly – Cases Filed in the Southern District of Florida from January 20, 2025, to January 26, 2025

Welcome to this week’s edition of Cruise Line Lawsuit Weekly! As millions of passengers set sail each year in search of dream vacations, the reality behind the scenes often tells a different story. This week, we dive into the latest legal battles emerging from the high seas—where guests allege injuries, negligence, and safety lapses on some of the world’s most luxurious vessels.

From slippery decks and malfunctioning doors to improper supervision and hazardous water slides, the cases filed this week highlight the unique challenges faced by the cruise industry and its passengers. Each filing sheds light on allegations of negligence that ripple through these floating resorts, reminding us that even the smoothest sail can be disrupted by hidden hazards.

Let’s take a closer look at this week’s cases, each one a glimpse into the legal tides shaping the cruise industry.

1. On January 21, 2025, Maureen O’Rourke, a resident of New York, filed a lawsuit against MSC Cruises, S.A. in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 0:25-cv-60119). The incident occurred on February 4, 2024, aboard the MSC Meraviglia, where O’Rourke alleges she slipped and fell on a wet, icy deck area. The hazardous condition was allegedly caused by runoff from a crew member’s water hose used to clean windows on the deck above, with no warning signs or safety measures in place. The plaintiff claims MSC was negligent in failing to inspect, warn, or cordon off the area, leading to her injuries. O’Rourke sustained severe injuries requiring medical treatment and surgery, and she is seeking damages for pain, suffering, and the loss of her vacation.
   
2. On January 21, 2025, Isaac Moredock, a resident of Florida, filed a lawsuit against MSC Cruises, S.A. in the Southern District of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Division (Case No. 0:25-cv-60109). The incident occurred on February 27, 2024, aboard the MSC Divina, where Moredock slipped and fell on a wet and slippery marble floor near the entrance of Deck 7. Isaac Moredock alleges the hazardous condition was caused by high humidity and condensation, which MSC failed to address by providing non-slip flooring or adequate warnings. Moredock claims MSC was negligent in maintaining safe walking conditions, inspecting and cleaning the area, and failing to warn passengers about the hazardous flooring. He sustained severe injuries, including physical pain and permanent impairments, resulting in medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity.
   
3. On January 21, 2025, Anne Ivanovski, a resident of Perth, Australia, filed a lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. and NCL America, LLC in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-20304). The incident occurred on September 28, 2024, aboard the Norwegian Pride of America, where Ivanovski slipped and fell on a wet and hazardous flooring surface on Deck 13. The plaintiff alleges that the slippery condition was due to poor drainage and inadequate maintenance of the deck. Ivanovski sustained severe injuries, including a fractured leg, a broken toe, and a subsequent deep vein thrombosis. She required surgical treatment and has permanent metal hardware installed in her body. The complaint highlights prior similar incidents aboard the Norwegian Pride of America and alleges that NCL failed to maintain safe conditions, warn passengers of hazards, and implement proper drainage systems.
   
4. On January 21, 2025, Michelle Hamilton, a resident of Nevada, filed a lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-20308). The incident occurred on March 10, 2024, aboard the Carnival Sunrise, where Hamilton slipped and fell while descending a wet staircase between Decks 12 and 11 in the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat area. Hamilton alleges that the slippery staircase was caused by accumulated water from nearby pools and showers, and Carnival failed to inspect, clean, or warn passengers about the hazardous condition. The plaintiff claims Carnival was negligent in maintaining the staircase, ensuring the anti-skid strips were intact, and implementing proper safety measures. She sustained severe injuries, including a left distal fibula fracture, leading to permanent impairment and disability.
   
5. On January 22, 2025, Jonathan Baucom, a resident of Florida, filed a lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-20324). The incident occurred on March 14, 2024, aboard the Norwegian Escape, where Baucom slipped and fell on a wet staircase on Deck 17. The plaintiff alleges that the slippery surface, combined with inadequate handrails and a lack of warning signs, created a dangerous condition. Baucom sustained severe injuries, including a sacral fracture, leading to significant pain, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. The complaint alleges that NCL failed to inspect, maintain, and warn passengers about the hazardous conditions.
   
6. On January 23, 2025, Jason Keaton, a resident of Florida, filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-20345). The incident occurred on February 16, 2024, aboard the Oasis of the Seas, where Keaton was seated in a chair in the Diamond Crown Lounge on Deck 4. The chair allegedly broke within moments of him sitting, causing him to fall violently to the floor. Keaton alleges he sustained severe injuries, including head, neck, back, and radiating leg injuries. The complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to properly inspect and maintain the chair, which could not safely support the weight of an average passenger.
   
7. On January 23, 2025, Jessica Felix, a resident of Florida, filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-20348). The incident occurred on April 12, 2024, aboard the Wonder of the Seas, where Felix slipped and fell on an unmarked wet and slippery surface inside an elevator on Deck 5. Felix alleges the hazardous condition was not open and obvious and that Royal Caribbean failed to maintain the elevator area in a reasonably safe condition. The complaint further claims that Royal Caribbean failed to implement proper safety measures, including the use of warning signs, anti-slip mats, and adequate cleaning procedures.
   
8. On January 23, 2025, Marquita Smith, a resident of Florida, filed a lawsuit against Carnival Corporation, One Spa World LLC, and One Spa World (Bahamas) Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-20350). The incident occurred on February 24, 2024, aboard the Carnival Liberty, where Smith was injured during a massage performed at the ship’s spa by an employee of One Spa World. Smith alleges that the spa employee performed an improper and dangerous maneuver that caused severe back injuries, leading to ongoing pain, disability, and medical expenses. The lawsuit claims negligence on the part of Carnival and One Spa World for failing to properly train and supervise spa staff, ensure passenger safety, and warn of potential risks.
   
9. On January 23, 2025, Michael Riffle, a resident of Colorado, filed a lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-20355). The incident occurred on January 26, 2024, aboard the Carnival Dream, where Riffle was injured while using the ship’s waterslide. Riffle alleges that the waterslide’s shutdown lane had insufficient water levels, preventing it from slowing him down adequately. As a result, he struck the end of the lane with significant force, causing severe injuries, including foot fractures and aggravation of preexisting conditions. The complaint claims that Carnival failed to maintain proper water levels, monitor the slide, and implement adequate safety measures as outlined in its internal policies and the manufacturer’s manual.
   
10. On January 24, 2025, Lisa Mattingly, a resident of Kentucky, filed a lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-20362). The incident occurred on February 10, 2024, aboard the Carnival Mardi Gras, where Mattingly was struck by a malfunctioning automatic door near the women’s restroom on Deck 7. Mattingly alleges the automatic door suddenly and without warning closed on her, knocking her to the ground and causing severe injuries. The complaint claims that Carnival failed to inspect, maintain, and repair the automatic doors despite knowledge of prior similar incidents on its fleet.
    
11. On January 24, 2025, Leola Y. Hopkins, a resident of Georgia, filed a lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-20363). The incident occurred on February 1, 2024, aboard the Carnival Mardi Gras, where Hopkins was injured while exiting a veteran’s banquet held in the Mardi Gras Theater on Deck 7. Hopkins alleges that overcrowding in the theater, combined with inadequate supervision by crew members and a lack of designated spaces for power chairs and motorized scooters, created a hazardous condition. As she exited, her foot was run over by a power chair operated by another passenger, causing her to fall backward onto the stairs. The complaint claims Carnival failed to implement a clear exit plan, ensure proper placement of mobility devices, and maintain crowd control during the event.
    
12. On January 24, 2025, Marina Vapuryan, a resident of California, filed a lawsuit on behalf of her minor child, A.M., against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-20373). The incident occurred on August 19, 2023, aboard the Navigator of the Seas, where A.M. was injured in the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery on Deck 12. The complaint alleges that A.M. tripped over a toy left on the floor of the nursery while under the supervision of Royal Caribbean crew members. Vapuryan asserts that the crew failed to maintain a safe environment by allowing toys and other tripping hazards to accumulate on the floor and by not adequately supervising the children in the nursery. A.M. sustained a right femur fracture as a result of the incident, leading to ongoing pain, medical expenses, and potential long-term effects.

These cases showcase the ongoing challenges in maintaining passenger safety aboard cruise ships. By uncovering prior incidents and patterns of negligence, they highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the cruise industry.

Stay tuned for the next edition of Cruise Line Lawsuit Weekly!