Florida Man Sues Royal Caribbean After Photographer Collides With Him During Disembarkation at Nassau Port
James Franz, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24083-DPG, alleges that Franz was seriously injured after being knocked to the ground by a Royal Caribbean photographer while disembarking the Utopia of the Seas at the Port of Nassau on January 7, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Allegedly Injured by Photographer Walking Backward at Nassau Port Disembarkation Zone
According to the complaint, Franz was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Utopia of the Seas, which was docked in Nassau, Bahamas. While attempting to disembark the ship to meet his tour guide, Franz was directed by Royal Caribbean staff along a designated disembarkation route. During this process, a cruise line photographer—who was walking backward while taking group photos—allegedly collided with Franz, causing him to fall and sustain severe injuries.
Franz asserts that the disembarkation area where passengers were funneled was not only congested but also actively used by Royal Caribbean photographers engaging in promotional photo sessions. He claims there were no warnings, barriers, or staff guidance to prevent such collisions, despite the foreseeability of accidents in such a heavily trafficked zone.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Creating Unsafe Walking Path and Failing to Warn Disembarking Passengers
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean negligently failed to warn passengers about the dangers of walking through an area actively used for photography. Franz contends that the cruise line should have taken steps to either redirect passengers away from photographers or reposition photographers to safer, less trafficked areas.
Citing similar prior lawsuits, including Araica and Gabuardi v. RCCL and Friedman v. RCCL, the complaint claims Royal Caribbean had notice of the risks associated with mixing disembarking passenger flows and photography operations. In the cited cases, passengers were either struck by photo equipment or collided with crew members during cruise photo shoots. Franz alleges that despite such precedents, Royal Caribbean failed to adopt or enforce safety protocols to protect guests during disembarkation.
Lawsuit Alleges Unsafe Conditions and Crew Negligence at the Port of Nassau During Disembarkation from Utopia of the Seas
The complaint further alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to supervise and control the conduct of its crew, particularly its onboard photography staff. Franz argues that the photographer failed to maintain a proper lookout while walking backward in a busy port area, creating a foreseeable hazard to passengers.
Franz brings multiple counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean, including negligent failure to warn, general negligence, and vicarious liability for the conduct of its employees. The suit claims that the cruise line had a duty to ensure safe disembarkation conditions and to enforce reasonable safety procedures, especially in crowded port settings where distractions such as onboard photo sessions are encouraged by the cruise line.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Physical Injuries, Medical Costs, and Disrupted Cruise Experience Due to Royal Caribbean’s Negligence
As a result of the incident, Franz claims he sustained permanent injuries to his body and extremities, requiring ongoing medical treatment. The complaint also notes pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life. Franz is seeking damages for medical expenses, loss of earnings, and the lost value of his cruise experience, alleging that his vacation was disrupted and his working ability impaired.
Franz’s attorneys argue that Royal Caribbean violated its non-delegable duty to provide passengers with reasonable care under maritime law and that its failure to maintain a safe disembarkation process directly caused his injuries.
Contact a Cruise Ship Disembarkation Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt While Leaving a Vessel at Port
Cruise passengers injured while disembarking at ports of call due to unsafe procedures, crew inattention, or obstructed walking paths may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean are legally responsible for providing reasonably safe conditions during all phases of the cruise, including disembarkation. If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to unsafe disembarkation practices, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers to learn more about your legal rights.
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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.
