Maryland Man Sues Celebrity Cruises After Slipping on Wet Catamaran Deck During Shore Excursion
Alan Goldberg, a resident of Maryland, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-22419, alleges that Goldberg sustained serious and permanent physical injuries while participating in a ship-sponsored shore excursion. The legal action seeks damages in excess of seventy-five thousand dollars for negligence and focuses on the cruise line’s responsibility for the safety of activities marketed and sold to its passengers.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Catamaran and Swim Excursion Due to Dangerously Slippery Deck Surfaces
The incident occurred while Goldberg was a fare-paying passenger aboard a Celebrity Cruises vessel. During the voyage, the cruise line marketed, sold, and arranged for his participation in an off-ship Catamaran and Swim excursion. According to the lawsuit, the deck of the catamaran provided for the passengers’ use was in an unreasonably dangerous and defective condition. Specifically, the plaintiff alleges that the deck was excessively wet and slippery. While Goldberg was using the vessel in the manner intended and directed by the excursion operators, he slipped and fell on the wet surface, resulting in severe physical injuries.
Celebrity Cruises Accused of Negligence Under Apparent Agency Theory for Shore Excursion Safety
The lawsuit asserts that Celebrity Cruises is liable for the accident based on the theory of apparent agency. Goldberg argues that the cruise line made several manifestations that caused him to believe the excursion operator was an agent or employee of Celebrity Cruises. These manifestations included the use of the Celebrity name and logo in advertising, the fact that the cruise line made all arrangements without disclosing the involvement of a third-party entity, and the requirement that all payments and receipts be handled exclusively through the cruise ship’s internal billing system. The complaint further alleges that Celebrity encouraged passengers not to book independent tours, claiming the cruise line was familiar with its own vetted operations and adhered to the highest safety standards in the maritime industry.
Lawsuit Highlights Failure to Maintain Safe Conditions and Lack of Disclosure Regarding Independent Contractors
The plaintiff alleges that the tour operator breached its duty of care by failing to properly maintain the catamaran deck. The complaint states that the operator knew or should have known about the dangerously slippery conditions, as water frequently splashes onto the deck during daily snorkeling activities and passenger boarding. Despite this knowledge, the operators allegedly failed to keep the surface dry or provide adequate warnings to participants. Goldberg claims he reasonably relied on the belief that the excursion was a Celebrity-run operation, noting that at no point did the excursion staff represent themselves as independent contractors or non-agents of the cruise line.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Physical Injuries and Loss of Earning Capacity Following Fall
As a direct result of the slip and fall, Goldberg claims to have suffered significant physical injury, permanent disfigurement, and mental anguish. The lawsuit seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, and a diminished earning capacity. Additionally, the plaintiff cites a loss of enjoyment of life and emotional distress following the incident. The complaint concludes that because the cruise line controlled the marketing, ticketing, and selection of the excursion, it maintained a non-delegable duty to ensure the safety of its passengers during these off-ship activities.
Contact a Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured During a Vessel Activity
If you or a loved one suffered an injury during a cruise-sponsored shore excursion or while participating in a ship-managed activity, you may be entitled to financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a duty to protect passengers from foreseeable hazards, even when those hazards occur on secondary vessels or during off-ship tours marketed by the company. Our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys is prepared to help you hold negligent cruise lines accountable for unsafe conditions and lack of proper supervision.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall 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.
