California Family Files Federal Lawsuit Against Carnival Over Alleged Assault of Minor Passenger Aboard Carnival Panorama
A California mother has filed a federal maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation, alleging that her sixteen-year-old daughter was sexually harassed and assaulted by a Carnival crewmember aboard the Carnival Panorama during a trans-Pacific voyage. The case, titled A.G., a minor, by and through her mother Airica Spinks v. Carnival Corporation (Case No. 1:25-cv-24776-BB), was filed on October 16, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division. The complaint asserts both admiralty jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1333 and diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332, seeking damages exceeding $75,000.
Minor Passenger Allegedly Harassed and Trapped in Stateroom by Carnival Employee During Carnival Panorama Voyage
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on October 19, 2024, while the Carnival Panorama was sailing a 25-day voyage from Singapore to Long Beach, California. The plaintiff, identified as A.G., was traveling with her mother Airica Spinks and family. That evening, two Carnival employees arrived at the family’s cabin to repair a malfunctioning television and Wi-Fi system. A.G. was alone when one of the employees allegedly stared inappropriately at her chest, making her uncomfortable. Moments later, the same crewmember—referred to in the complaint as “Employee #1” or “EE1”—returned uninvited, locked the cabin deadbolt, and cornered the minor on the bed while making explicit and sexualized comments. The complaint states that EE1 insisted the teen save his number under pet names such as “Babe” and “Baby” and demanded to meet her that night on the Lido deck. A.G. managed to escape when a friend knocked on the door, prompting the employee to flee.
Carnival’s Alleged Failure to Protect Minor Passenger and Remove Crewmember After Reported Assault
The next morning, A.G. told her mother about the encounter, and the family immediately reported the incident to Carnival Security. Security personnel photographed A.G.’s phone, reviewed surveillance footage showing the employee in the room for an extended time, and confirmed his identity. Despite this, the complaint alleges Carnival’s response was “inadequate and dismissive.” The cruise line reportedly apologized and offered a complimentary excursion and onboard counseling but failed to separate or remove the employee from passenger areas, failed to update the family on his status, and did not implement additional safety measures. As a result, A.G. and her family allegedly lived in fear of further encounters with the crewmember during the remainder of the voyage.
Lawsuit Claims Carnival Knew or Should Have Known of Sexual Misconduct Risks Among Crewmembers
The complaint argues that Carnival Corporation had prior knowledge of sexual assaults aboard its vessels and failed to adopt reasonable safeguards to protect passengers—especially minors. According to data attached to the filing, Carnival reported 17 sexual assaults and batteries aboard its ships between October and December 2024, including two involving crewmembers, under the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010. Plaintiff Spinks contends that despite marketing its cruises as family-friendly and safe for teens, Carnival relies on overseas hiring partners with limited background-check capabilities and fails to conduct adequate screening, training, or supervision of employees with access to passenger cabins. The lawsuit further alleges that Carnival does not properly monitor shipboard surveillance cameras or enforce security policies designed to prevent harassment and abuse of minors.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Failure to Warn, Negligent Security, and Vicarious Liability for Crewmember’s Conduct
The lawsuit brings three counts of negligence against Carnival:
- Negligent Failure to Warn — for not informing passengers of the risk of sexual harassment or assault aboard its vessels and for failing to communicate the employee’s status after the incident;
- Negligent Security — for failing to provide reasonable supervision, monitoring, and camera surveillance near passenger cabins and for allowing a crewmember unsupervised access to a minor’s stateroom; and
- Vicarious Liability — for the acts of EE1, who was allegedly acting within the course and scope of his employment when he entered the cabin and assaulted A.G.
The complaint asserts that Carnival’s crewmember violated company policy prohibiting employees from entering a passenger’s cabin alone—particularly when a minor is present—and that Carnival’s failure to enforce such policies directly led to the incident.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Psychological Trauma and Lasting Emotional Harm
As a result of the incident, A.G. is alleged to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and hypervigilance, causing her to avoid social activities and experience ongoing emotional distress. The complaint seeks damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disability, disfigurement, medical expenses, and the loss of cruise value. Plaintiff Spinks also requests a jury trial to determine Carnival’s liability for the acts of its employee and the company’s broader negligence in safeguarding passengers.
Contact a Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Lawyer if You Experienced Harassment or Abuse Onboard
Cruise lines have a legal duty under maritime law to protect passengers—including minors—from foreseeable harm caused by crewmembers or fellow guests. If you or a loved one suffered sexual harassment or assault aboard a cruise ship, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and emotional trauma. Our attorneys represent passengers nationwide in cases involving cruise line negligence, inadequate security, and vicarious liability for crewmember misconduct.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship sexual assault lawyer about your legal options.
Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
