When Cruises Go Bad: Are Cruise Ship Passengers Protected Under Maritime Law?

The “fun” ship Splendor isn’t so much fun. An engine room fire has left the Carnival cruise ship stranded without full services off the western coast of Mexico. There are nearly 4,500 passengers and crew on board. An engine room fire on board the ship on Monday, November 8 disabled the ship's power, including air conditioning, hot food service, flushing toilets and telephones. It is expected that the ship will be tugged to shore by late evening on Thursday, November 11.

No one was injured, but three passengers experienced panic attacks.

Imagine saving for your dream vacation cruise only to have it turn into a nightmare. Passengers have spent 4 days of a seven day cruise on a disabled ship. Carnival Cruise Lines is offering passengers a full refund as well as a complimentary cruise with a value equal to the cost of their cruise ticket. But, a free cruise cannot erase the disappointment passengers must feel.

This summer, another Carnival ship was stranded with more than 2,000 passengers this summer due to a "technical malfunction." Fortunately, the problem was fixed within hours and the cruise was completed; however, not all cruise ship problems are as benign.

In 2006, a ship fire aboard Princess Cruises’ Star Princess cruise ship left one person dead and 11 injured. At least 100 rooms were scorched, yet the nearly 3,000 passengers did not have to abandon ship.

In 2003, eight crew members aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norway died after an engine-room explosion.

Whether you are a crew member or a passenger, if you are injured aboard a cruise ship, you have rights under maritime law. Unfortunately, for passengers, the fine print on the cruise ticket puts a time limit on those rights.

The Louisiana maritime lawyers at The Young Firm help cruise ship passengers and crew members who are injured while at sea to recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries. To learn more, contact The Young Firm at 866-938-6113.