Florida Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line Alleging Sexual Assault and Stalking by Crew Member Onboard Carnival Legend
S.C., a resident of Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20603-BB, alleges that the plaintiff suffered severe psychological trauma and physical injuries following repeated sexual assaults, harassment, and stalking by a crew member waiter during multiple voyages aboard the Carnival Legend.
Cruise Passenger Subjected to Sexual Assault and Ongoing Harassment by Carnival Legend Waiter
According to the complaint, the incidents began during a December 2024 cruise while the plaintiff was dining in the Captain’s Dining Room. The lawsuit alleges that a Carnival waiter, Wendel Gellizeau, used the cruise line’s internal information system to obtain the plaintiff’s personal details to facilitate his pursuit of her. During a dinner dance event on December 1, 2024, Gellizeau allegedly pulled the plaintiff away from her family to dance and began touching her inappropriately in a sexual manner. The complaint further states that the crew member took possession of the plaintiff’s cell phone to add his contact information to her social media accounts and subsequently subjected her to a continuous stream of aggressive and sexual text messages, including nude photographs and videos.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Prevent Repeated Sexual Battery and Stalking Across Multiple Voyages
The legal filing details a disturbing pattern of behavior that allegedly spanned three separate cruises in December 2024, February 2025, and March 2025. During these voyages, the plaintiff claims Gellizeau continued to stalk her, demanded she bring him alcohol, and eventually committed a second physical sexual assault on March 10, 2025. The lawsuit describes a harrowing night where an individual believed to be the crew member repeatedly called the plaintiff’s stateroom and pounded on her door, forcing her to flee to a different room for safety. The plaintiff alleges that the crew member even threatened her safety by claiming he would find her once she returned to the United States.
Lawsuit Cites High Rate of Sexual Assault on Carnival Ships as Evidence of Notice and Inadequate Security
To establish that Carnival had actual or constructive knowledge of the risk of sexual violence, the plaintiff’s legal team references extensive data and prior litigation. The complaint highlights that between 2016 and 2023, Carnival reported approximately 224 incidents of sexual assault on its vessels, with at least 25 involving crew members. The lawsuit specifically cites several recent cases filed in the Southern District of Florida, including L.M. v. Carnival Corp., Doe v. Carnival Corp., and Rioux v. Carnival Corp., as proof that the cruise line was well aware of the recurring danger of crew member sexual misconduct. The plaintiff argues that despite these statistics and the cruise line’s own policy prohibiting fraternization between staff and passengers, Carnival failed to implement adequate security measures to protect vulnerable guests.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Vetting and Failure to Warn Passengers of Onboard Sexual Violence Risks
The lawsuit brings four counts against Carnival Corporation: vicarious strict liability, negligent security, negligent vetting and screening of crew members, and negligent failure to warn. S.C. alleges that Carnival breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to provide enough security personnel to patrol passenger corridors and dining areas. Additionally, the complaint asserts that the cruise line failed to adequately investigate the background of its employees or conduct sufficient psychological assessments to identify individuals with a propensity for misconduct. The plaintiff also claims she was never warned of the documented risks of sexual assault by crew members, which left her unprepared to anticipate or resist the waiter’s advances.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Psychological Trauma and Medical Expenses Following Cruise Assault
As a direct result of the alleged sexual battery and stalking, the plaintiff claims she has suffered permanent psychological and emotional trauma, mental anguish, and post-traumatic effects that have hindered her ability to lead a normal life. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for past and future medical and healthcare expenses, as well as interest and costs. S.C. emphasizes that her intellectual disability was intentionally exploited by the crew member during the grooming and assault process. By filing this action, the plaintiff seeks to hold the cruise line accountable for what she describes as a systemic failure to monitor crew interactions and secure passenger safety.
Contact a Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Lawyer Today if You Were Harassed or Injured Onboard a Vessel
Cruise ship passengers who have been victims of sexual assault, stalking, or harassment by crew members have specific legal protections under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival have a strict legal obligation to protect passengers from intentional torts committed by their employees. If you or a loved one experienced sexual misconduct or were harmed due to inadequate security while on a vacation, contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys to discuss your case. We are dedicated to helping survivors understand their rights and pursue the justice they deserve.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship sexual assault 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.
