New Jersey Passenger Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Severe Safari Vehicle Crash During Shore Excursion in St. Thomas
Kevin Holland, a resident of New Jersey, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. and Chukka Virgin Islands Operating Company, LLP in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-26290-RAR, alleges that Holland suffered catastrophic and permanent injuries after an open-air safari bus crashed at high speeds during an official cruise excursion in St. Thomas on September 15, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Escape Shore Excursion Due to Reckless Driving and Lack of Seatbelts
According to the complaint, Holland was a paying passenger aboard the Norwegian Escape when he purchased tickets directly through Norwegian Cruise Line for the Magens Bay: World-Famous Beach Escape shore tour. While being transported in an open-air safari-style vehicle toward Magens Bay, the driver allegedly operated the vehicle at an excessive and reckless rate of speed, traveling an estimated 30 to 40 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The complaint further asserts that the vehicle was not equipped with adequate seatbelts or passenger restraint systems. The excursion driver allegedly failed to yield or slow down for roadway conditions, causing the safari vehicle to violently crash into another automobile and throwing passengers with devastating force.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Negligent Selection and Failure to Warn of Dangerous Excursion Operators
The lawsuit contends that Norwegian Cruise Line marketed the excursion as vetted, safe, and managed by reputable local partners, leading passengers to believe the cruise operator closely inspected the transportation providers. Holland argues that Norwegian knew or should have known that the local tour company routinely operated excursions in an unsafe manner. To establish notice, the filing points to prior Southern District of Florida lawsuits involving the same excursion entity, including Walker v. NCL, Gelfand v. NCL, Maldonado v. NCL, and Hookway v. NCL, which involved watercraft collisions, excessive speeds, and passenger injuries. Despite these prior incidents and internal auditing procedures, the cruise line continued to sell, endorse, and profit from tours operated by the excursion provider without providing any warnings regarding reckless driving practices or the absence of passenger restraints.
Lawsuit Asserts Vicarious Liability, Joint Venture, and Breach of Non-Delegable Duty Against Cruise Operator
Holland brings counts against Norwegian Cruise Line and Chukka Virgin Islands Operating Company for general negligence, negligent selection and retention, failure to warn, vicarious liability, apparent agency, joint venture liability, and breach of non-delegable duty. The legal claims assert that the cruise line exercised substantial control over the pricing, marketing, and revenue sharing of the shore excursion, creating an apparent agency relationship that led passengers to rely entirely on Norwegian’s reputation. The complaint states that the defendants failed to implement basic safety guidelines, enforce safe driving policies, or require functional restraint systems on passenger transport vehicles operating in mountainous Caribbean terrain.
Passenger Seeks Full Damages for Permanent Physical Injuries, Medical Care, and Ruined Caribbean Vacation
As a direct result of the violent vehicular impact, Holland allegedly sustained severe and permanent injuries to his body and extremities, enduring physical impairment, mental anguish, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and lost earning capacity. The filing notes that he incurred significant emergency and ongoing medical expenses, alongside losing the financial value of his cruise vacation and travel arrangements. Holland demands a trial by jury to recover all past and future damages allowable under United States general maritime law.
Contact a Cruise Ship Excursion Accident Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Ship-Sponsored Tour
Cruise passengers injured during sponsored shore excursions, especially those involving poorly maintained tour buses, open-air safari vehicles, speeding drivers, or missing seatbelts, may have legal recourse under maritime law. Major cruise operators have an ongoing legal responsibility to use reasonable care when selecting excursion companies and warning guests about known transportation hazards. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries while participating in a cruise-sponsored excursion or port transfer, speak with an experienced maritime personal injury attorney to evaluate your claim.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship excursion accident lawyer.
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.
