Cruise Passenger Injury FAQs

Common Questions About Cruise Ship Accident Claims and Referrals

Cruise vacations are meant to be relaxing, but when accidents happen at sea or in port, they can turn into complex legal challenges. If you’re a passenger who was injured on a cruise — or a lawyer with a client injured on a cruise ship — LawVine can help.

Our team has handled hundreds of cruise ship injury claims, and we regularly partner with attorneys nationwide on these unique and often time-sensitive cases.

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What is a cruise ship injury claim?

A cruise ship injury claim is a personal injury case brought by a passenger who was hurt while aboard a cruise ship, during an excursion, or in connection with a cruise line’s negligence. These cases are subject to federal maritime law and may be governed by the terms of the cruise ticket contract.

LawVine handles a wide variety of cruise-related injury claims, including:

  • Slip and falls on wet decks or buffet areas
  • Injuries from malfunctioning doors (e.g., automatic sliding glass doors)
  • Bunk bed falls and cabin-related hazards
  • Excursion injuries (e.g., ATV, boat, bus accidents)
  • Elevator/escalator malfunctions
  • Pool and water slide injuries
  • Food poisoning or norovirus outbreaks
  • Negligent medical care onboard
  • Sexual assaults or inadequate security
  • Injuries caused by crew negligence

Liable parties may include:

  • The cruise line (e.g., Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Celebrity, Disney)
  • Third-party excursion operators
  • Shipboard medical staff
  • Vendors or port operators affiliated with the cruise
  • Sometimes, more than one party shares liability

Most cruise injury claims fall under federal maritime law, which has different standards than typical state-based personal injury law. In many cases:

  • You must file suit in federal court, often in Miami, Florida
  • You must comply with the cruise contract’s venue, notice, and limitation clauses
  • You may have as little as 6 months to give notice and 1 year to file suit
How long do I have to file a cruise injury lawsuit?

Most cruise lines — including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Celebrity — include strict deadlines in their ticket contracts:

  • Notice of claim: Usually required within 180 days
  • Filing deadline: Must file suit within 1 year of the injury

These deadlines are shorter than most state statutes of limitations, and missing them can result in your case being dismissed.

The cruise ticket contract usually designates a specific court for filing:

  • Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and NCL lawsuits often must be filed in federal court in Miami, Florida (Southern District of Florida)
  • Disney Cruise Line claims may need to be filed in Orlando (Middle District of Florida)

LawVine has handled numerous cruise cases in these courts and accepts both client inquiries and attorney referrals involving these venues.

I have a client who was injured on a cruise. Can I refer the case?

Yes. LawVine accepts referrals for cruise passenger injury claims from attorneys across the U.S. We handle the intake, litigation, and case resolution, and we honor referral fee agreements in accordance with ethical rules.

Absolutely. Many attorneys choose to remain involved in the case. We offer co-counsel opportunities on cases involving:

  • Catastrophic injury
  • Medical malpractice onboard
  • Excursion operator liability
  • Wrongful death claims at sea
  • Maritime law disputes and venue fights

We handle federal court filings, pre-suit negotiations, and trial work — and collaborate closely with our co-counsel partners.

LawVine is powered by the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, which has handled hundreds of cruise passenger injury claims, including:

  • Door malfunction claims (automatic sliding glass doors without working sensors)
  • Minor bunk bed falls on Carnival and NCL ships
  • Excursion accidents involving third-party operators
  • Sexual assaults by crew or passengers
  • Pool and waterslide injuries
  • Medical negligence during treatment onboard

We are familiar with cruise line legal departments, arbitration clauses, and maritime defenses.

What should I do if I was injured on a cruise?
  • Report the injury to ship staff and obtain a copy of any report
  • Take photos and video of the scene and your injuries
  • Get medical treatment onboard and at home
  • Save your ticket and booking documents
  • Contact a cruise injury attorney as soon as possible — deadlines apply

Yes — but these cases can be complex. While cruise lines often disclaim liability for shore excursions, they may still be held liable if:

  • They failed to vet the excursion operator
  • They misrepresented the safety or oversight of the activity
  • The excursion was promoted or booked through the cruise line

LawVine can evaluate these cases and advise on potential third-party claims.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:

  • No upfront fees
  • No out-of-pocket costs
  • You only pay if we win or settle the case

The same applies to referred cases — clients are protected from upfront costs.

Cruise Lines We Commonly Handle Claims Against

  • Carnival Cruise Line
  • Royal Caribbean International
  • Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • MSC Cruises
  • Holland America Line
  • Princess Cruises
  • And others that depart from U.S. ports

What Sets LawVine Apart?

🚢  Deep experience in federal maritime litigation

⚖️  Knowledge of cruise line defenses and tactics

📍  Located near primary cruise ports and courts

🤝  Accepting referrals and co-counsel partnerships nationwide

📞  Dedicated intake and case evaluation team

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you’re a passenger who suffered an injury or a law firm looking to refer

or co-counsel a cruise case, LawVine is ready to help.

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