Florida Mother Sues V Cruises US After Spoiled Breast Milk Incident Aboard Cruise Ship
Jazzmyn Shawniqua Smith, a resident of Orlando, Florida, has filed a federal maritime lawsuit against V Cruises US, LLC in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25902-LMR, alleges that the cruise line’s failure to provide promised medical storage for expressed breast milk led to the loss of over 80 ounces of milk and caused significant emotional and physical distress.
Cruise Passenger Alleges V Cruises Failed to Honor Breast Milk Storage Agreement During Voyage
The legal action stems from an incident that began shortly before a scheduled cruise in April 2024. According to the complaint, Smith contacted the defendant’s staff on April 23, 2024, and received explicit instructions that she could store her expressed breast milk in the ship’s medical facility located on Deck 4. Relying on these verbal assurances, Smith proceeded with her travel plans. However, three days into the voyage, shipboard staff abruptly informed her that storing the milk in the medical facility violated a company policy. Smith alleges that this policy was never disclosed to her prior to the trip or at the time of the reversal, and despite her repeated requests, the cruise line failed to provide any written documentation regarding the supposed restriction.
V Cruises Accused of Negligence and Misrepresentation Regarding Maternal Health Accommodations
The lawsuit details Smith’s efforts to prevent the spoilage of her milk after being denied access to the medical facility. She claims the defendant offered only ice, which was insufficient for the freezing required to safely preserve the milk for her infant son. As a result of this lack of adequate accommodation, Smith lost more than 80 ounces of breast milk. The complaint further alleges that the situation caused her to experience anxiety and a physical drop in her milk supply, which interfered with her ability to provide maternal care. Smith also notes that she spent several hours of her vacation attempting to resolve the issue with sailor services but received no adequate response or resolution while on board the vessel.
Plaintiff Seeks Punitive Damages for Breach of Contract and Violation of Federal Maritime Law Duty of Care
Smith’s complaint includes five counts against V Cruises US: breach of contract, misrepresentation and detrimental reliance, emotional distress and physical harm, violation of federal maritime law, and failure to provide written policy documentation. She asserts that the cruise line breached its duty to act with reasonable care toward a passenger and violated standards of fair dealing. Following the cruise, Smith submitted a formal complaint through the company’s internal ticketing system and made multiple inquiries via email and phone, all of which she claims have gone ignored. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages exceeding 500,000 dollars, punitive damages for gross negligence, and injunctive relief in the form of future cruise credits to compensate for the ruined experience.
Contact a Cruise Ship Passenger Rights Lawyer if You Experienced Negligence or Harm While at Sea
Passengers who suffer financial loss, emotional distress, or physical harm due to a cruise line’s failure to uphold its commitments or provide reasonable accommodations may have grounds for a maritime claim. Cruise lines have a legal responsibility to provide a safe environment and adhere to the standards of care expected under federal maritime law. If you or a loved one has been impacted by corporate negligence, lack of policy transparency, or the loss of vital personal property during a cruise, it is important to understand your legal rights. Contact our team of experienced maritime attorneys today to discuss your situation and explore your options for recovery.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship passenger rights attorney.
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.
