Louisiana Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Massage Table Collapses During Private Beach Excursion in Roatan
Tanya Johnson, a resident of Ethel, Louisiana, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation and a Honduran excursion operator in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24962-KMW, alleges that Johnson sustained serious and permanent injuries when a massage table collapsed during a Carnival-promoted shore excursion in Roatan, Honduras.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Liberty Excursion After Faulty Massage Table Collapses in Roatan
According to the complaint, Johnson was a paying passenger aboard the Carnival Liberty on December 18, 2024, when she participated in an “All-Inclusive Private Beach Experience” shore excursion in Mahogany Bay, Roatan. The excursion was promoted, advertised, and sold by Carnival as part of her cruise itinerary. During the excursion, Johnson opted for a massage at a beachside hut operated by the excursion provider, identified as Mayan Adventure d/b/a Milton Bight Holding.
While receiving a massage, Johnson was placed on a plastic massage table set up outside the main massage area due to full occupancy. Approximately 20–30 minutes into the massage, the table suddenly collapsed beneath her, allegedly due to a faulty and previously broken support mechanism. The masseuse reportedly told Johnson not to worry and claimed she could repair the table again—allegedly admitting to a makeshift fix involving a cracked wooden board.
Carnival Accused of Negligence in Failing to Inspect, Maintain, and Warn of Dangerous Conditions on Sponsored Shore Excursion
Johnson’s lawsuit asserts that Carnival failed to exercise reasonable care in multiple respects, including inspecting the massage equipment, vetting its shore excursion partner, and warning passengers of potential hazards. The complaint alleges that the broken massage table had been negligently repaired prior to use and that Carnival’s personnel either knew or should have known of the risk through its inspection protocols and annual vendor approval processes. Despite this, Carnival allegedly failed to take action or provide meaningful warnings to passengers about the unsafe conditions.
The complaint also asserts that Carnival’s crew marketed and sold the Roatan beach excursion directly to passengers without informing them that it was run by an “independent contractor.” Carnival’s website, onboard materials, and shore excursion desk promoted the experience as a Carnival-endorsed activity, and Johnson claims she reasonably believed it was operated by Carnival staff.
Complaint Highlights Carnival’s Alleged Joint Venture with Foreign Shore Excursion Operator
The plaintiff contends that Carnival and Mayan Adventure operated the shore excursion jointly, through a business arrangement that involved revenue sharing, indemnification clauses, and annual bids submitted to Carnival’s Florida-based offices. The lawsuit details that Carnival exercised significant control over the excursion’s pricing, promotion, and operational standards. It also notes that Carnival allegedly collected payments for the excursion and remitted a portion to Mayan Adventure after the fact.
Johnson claims that Carnival’s actions created the impression that the excursion was a seamless part of the cruise experience, with no effort made to distinguish it as a third-party operation. The suit alleges that this omission was intentional and aimed at maintaining passenger confidence in order to boost revenue from shore excursion sales.
Lawsuit Seeks Damages for Injuries to Back, Ankle, and Knee Caused by Defective Equipment on Carnival-Sponsored Excursion
The lawsuit brings multiple counts of negligence against Carnival, including negligent failure to warn, negligent selection and retention of the excursion operator, and vicarious liability for the masseuse’s conduct. Johnson alleges she suffered injuries to her back, left ankle, and right knee when the massage table collapsed, necessitating immediate medical care in the ship’s infirmary and ongoing treatment upon her return home.
She seeks damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and the diminished value of her cruise vacation. The complaint also argues that the injuries could have been prevented if Carnival had exercised reasonable oversight and care in its selection and supervision of the shore excursion operator and equipment.
Injured on a Cruise Line Shore Excursion? Speak to a Maritime Injury Attorney About Your Rights
Cruise passengers injured during shore excursions promoted or sold by cruise lines may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Even when cruise lines claim an excursion is operated by a third party, courts have held that companies like Carnival can still be held liable for promoting, selling, or failing to inspect those excursions. If you were hurt due to faulty equipment or unsafe conditions on a cruise line-sponsored shore activity, contact an experienced maritime attorney today.
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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.
