Illinois Woman Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Zipline Suspension Bridge Collapse on Antigua Shore Excursion

Alexi Bobber, a resident of Illinois, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. and multiple excursion operators in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25815-JB, arises from a catastrophic shore excursion accident that allegedly occurred on December 31, 2024, while Bobber was a paying passenger aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line vessel Viva. The complaint alleges that Bobber suffered serious and permanent injuries after a suspension bridge collapsed during a zipline excursion in Antigua that was marketed, sold, and promoted by Norwegian Cruise Line.

Cruise Passenger Seriously Injured During Norwegian Cruise Line Zipline Excursion in Antigua

According to the complaint, Bobber purchased tickets for the Antigua Canopy Tour directly through Norwegian Cruise Line before boarding the Viva. The excursion was promoted on NCL’s website as being operated by reputable and insured providers and as having been thoroughly reviewed by the cruise line for passenger safety. Relying on those representations, Bobber participated in the excursion during the cruise.

The lawsuit alleges that at the beginning of the zipline tour, passengers were not given adequate safety instructions regarding the course, particularly the suspension bridges that were part of the experience. The complaint further claims that participants were not provided with safety harnesses while crossing the bridges. While Bobber was crossing the second suspension bridge, the structure allegedly became unstable and then catastrophically failed. The right side of the bridge reportedly snapped, causing her to fall and roll downhill before striking a tree.

Lawsuit Alleges Dangerous Zipline Course Design and Faulty Suspension Bridge Infrastructure

Bobber’s complaint alleges that the zipline excursion was unreasonably dangerous due to defective infrastructure, including suspension bridges that were allegedly frayed, unstable, and inadequately maintained. The lawsuit asserts that the bridge’s deteriorated condition would have been apparent upon reasonable inspection and that its instability suggested a long-standing structural problem rather than a sudden failure.

The complaint further alleges that the excursion operators failed to implement basic safety measures, including the use of harnesses, proper supervision, and clear safety protocols for participants navigating elevated suspension bridges. Bobber contends that these failures created a foreseeable risk of serious injury to cruise passengers participating in the excursion.

Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Misleading Advertising and Failure to Warn Passengers

In addition to claims against the excursion operators, the lawsuit asserts multiple negligence claims against Norwegian Cruise Line itself. The complaint alleges that NCL marketed the zipline excursion as safe and thoroughly reviewed, despite allegedly knowing or having reason to know that similar zipline excursions had previously resulted in passenger injuries. The lawsuit references prior federal cases involving NCL passengers injured during zipline excursions as evidence that the cruise line was on notice of the risks associated with these activities.

Bobber claims that NCL failed to adequately warn passengers about the inherent dangers of the zipline course, the condition of the suspension bridges, and the limitations of the excursion operators’ safety practices and insurance coverage. The complaint further alleges that NCL’s promotional materials created the impression that the excursion operators were acting as agents of the cruise line, inducing passengers to rely on NCL’s reputation and assurances when booking the excursion.

Complaint Claims Negligent Selection, Retention, and Oversight of Shore Excursion Operators

The lawsuit alleges that Norwegian Cruise Line failed to exercise reasonable care in selecting and retaining the excursion operators responsible for the Antigua Canopy Tour. According to the complaint, NCL had a duty to vet excursion providers, conduct meaningful safety inspections, and ensure compliance with industry safety standards. Bobber claims that had NCL properly inspected the zipline course and suspension bridges, the dangerous conditions would have been discovered and corrected before passengers were exposed to harm.

The complaint also alleges that NCL exercised significant control over the excursion through marketing, ticket sales, approval processes, and ongoing inspections, creating an apparent agency relationship between the cruise line and the excursion operators. As a result, Bobber contends that NCL should be held legally responsible for the negligent acts and omissions that led to her injuries.

Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Loss of Cruise Vacation Value

Bobber seeks damages for a wide range of losses, including physical injuries, pain and suffering, emotional distress, post-traumatic stress, medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit alleges that her injuries are permanent or continuing in nature. She also seeks compensation for the lost value of her cruise vacation and related travel expenses, asserting that the incident irreparably disrupted what was supposed to be a safe and enjoyable trip.

Contact a Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt on a Zipline or Adventure Tour

Cruise passengers injured during shore excursions such as zipline tours, canopy walks, and suspension bridge crossings may have legal rights under maritime law, particularly when excursions are marketed and sold directly by cruise lines. Cruise companies that profit from shore excursions may be held accountable when they fail to properly vet operators, warn passengers of known dangers, or accurately represent the safety of off-ship activities. If you or a loved one were injured during a cruise ship zipline excursion or other adventure tour, speak with an experienced maritime injury attorney to learn more about your legal options.

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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.