New Jersey Resident Sues Royal Caribbean Group After Detached Cabin Door Strikes Her in the Head on Odyssey of the Seas
Kathleen Carp, a resident of New Jersey, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. and Sun Cay Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20808-AHS, alleges that Carp suffered severe and permanent head injuries during a shore excursion in the Bahamas on February 12, 2025. The incident involved a shore excursion vessel operating as part of the Swimming Pigs Express tour while Carp was a passenger aboard the Odyssey of the Seas.
Cruise Passenger Sustains Significant Head Injury on Swimming Pigs Express Excursion Due to Broken Vessel Door
According to the complaint, the incident occurred shortly after the excursion boat departed from Nassau and accelerated to cruising speed. The lawsuit alleges that as the vessel picked up speed and encountered wave action, an unsecured cabin door began to slam repeatedly before detaching completely from its frame. The door then flew toward Carp, striking her directly in the face and causing a significant head injury. Post-incident observations noted that the door hinges were rusted and that several screws were either loose or entirely missing. The plaintiff asserts that these dangerous conditions were not open or obvious to passengers and that the excursion crew knew or should have known the door was in a state of disrepair before the boat ever left the dock.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligent Selection and Failure to Warn Regarding Bahamian Shore Excursion Safety
The lawsuit contends that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to properly vet and monitor the excursion entity. Carp’s legal team argues that the cruise line promoted the shore excursion as being thoroughly reviewed and certified for quality on its website and mobile app. These promotional materials allegedly led passengers to believe that Royal Caribbean had inspected the equipment and ensured the safety of the gear used during the tour. The complaint states that Royal Caribbean has an initial approval process and periodic inspection requirements for its tour operators, yet failed to discover or address the hazardous condition of the excursion boat. Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges that the cruise line failed to warn her about the risks of the excursion, including the possibility that the operator might not be subject to United States jurisdiction or carry adequate insurance coverage.
Lawsuit Details Evidence of Rusted Hardware and Poor Maintenance on Sun Cay Ltd Excursion Vessel
The complaint includes detailed allegations regarding the physical state of the excursion boat operated by Sun Cay Ltd, also known as the Excursion Entity. It is alleged that the vessel was not properly maintained and that the hardware securing the cabin door had deteriorated over a period of time. Photographs cited in the legal filing show rusty hinges and missing screws, which the plaintiff argues are hazards that take significant time to develop and should have been caught during a routine safety inspection. The lawsuit further alleges that the captain and crew were incompetent or improperly supervised, as they operated the boat at high speeds with an unlatched door and failed to provide adequate safety guidelines or seating instructions to keep passengers away from known danger zones on the vessel.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Disability and Loss of Enjoyment of Life Following Maritime Accident
Carp brings multiple counts of negligence against the defendants, including negligent selection and retention, negligent failure to warn, and general negligence. She also asserts that Royal Caribbean is liable under the theories of apparent agency and breach of non-delegable duty. The lawsuit states that as a result of the flying door, Carp suffered physical pain, mental anguish, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The complaint alleges that her injuries are permanent and will require ongoing medical treatment, resulting in lost earning capacity and a total loss of the value of her cruise vacation. The plaintiff has demanded a trial by jury to seek damages for her physical handicap, disfigurement, and the long-term impact of the head trauma sustained during the voyage.
Contact a Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured During a Port Activity
Cruise passengers who are injured during shore excursions may be entitled to significant compensation if the cruise line or the tour operator failed to maintain safe conditions. While cruise lines often attempt to distance themselves from third-party excursion companies, maritime law provides avenues for recovery when a cruise line fails to vet its partners or makes misleading safety representations to its guests. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury while participating in a ship-sponsored tour due to equipment failure or crew negligence, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We can help you navigate the complexities of international jurisdiction and hold the responsible parties accountable for your medical expenses and suffering.
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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.
