New York Man Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Being Bitten by Pig During Excursion at Great Stirrup Cay
Jason Gordon, a resident of New York, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-25277-DPG, alleges that Gordon suffered serious physical injuries and potential infection after being bitten by a pig during a excursion offered at Norwegian’s private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay.
Cruise Passenger Injured During Swim With the Pigs Excursion at Norwegian Private Island Due to Animal Hazards
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on August 26, 2025, while Gordon was a paying passenger aboard the Norwegian Escape. While visiting Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, Gordon participated in the shore excursion entitled Swim with the Pigs, which was promoted, arranged, and sold directly by NCL. The excursion encouraged passengers to enter the water and beach area to swim alongside, feed, and physically interact with free-roaming pigs kept on the island. While interacting with the animals as instructed, one of the pigs bit Gordon, causing a severe laceration and puncture to his right lower leg. Following the cruise, he required emergency medical intervention, including sutures, intravenous antibiotics, and a complete course of post-exposure rabies prophylaxis treatment involving rabies vaccines and immune globulin. Gordon asserts that the hazards posed by the animals were not open or obvious, and he was given no warning that the pigs had aggressive tendencies or presented a risk of biting and disease transmission.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Knowing Animal Risk and Failing to Warn Passengers on Shore Excursion
The filing alleges that NCL had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions present on the private island excursion. Because NCL owns, operates, and oversees Great Stirrup Cay, the company exercises exclusive control over the premises, the excursion operations, and the management of the animals. Gordon’s legal representation argues that NCL was well aware of the propensity of feral or free-roaming pigs to bite and nip participants, particularly during feeding sessions. The complaint points out that warnings regarding pig bites on shore excursions had previously been issued by public entities such as the Bahamas Humane Society and the Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources. Furthermore, the suit notes that similar risks associated with wild or exotic animals on cruise excursions are well recognized in maritime law, referencing precedents such as Holcomb v. Carnival Corp., where courts established that notice can be inferred from a cruise operator’s continuous supervision, direct control, and receipt of passenger feedback regarding excursion conditions.
Lawsuit Highlights Lack of Safety Controls, Inadequate Animal Management, and Misleading Excursion Marketing
Beyond failing to warn passengers, the lawsuit claims that NCL failed to establish and enforce standard safety protocols necessary for live-animal interactions. The complaint asserts that NCL failed to properly control, segregate, or restrain the pigs during passenger encounters, provided no safe methods for feeding the animals, and lacked adequately trained staff to supervise the beach interactions. Additionally, NCL heavily promoted the excursion on its website and onboard the ship using its official logo and branding, presenting the activity as a safe signature experience while failing to disclose prior guest complaints or negative safety reports involving animal bites.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Emergency Medical Treatment, Permanent Injuries, and Lost Cruise Value
Gordon’s complaint brings counts of negligent failure to warn, negligent selection and retention of excursion operators, vicarious liability, and general negligence against NCL. The legal action asserts that NCL breached its duty of reasonable care under maritime law by exposing passengers to an unmitigated hazard on its private property. As a result of the animal attack, Gordon claims to have suffered permanent bodily injuries, severe physical pain, emotional distress, medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. He is also seeking compensation for the lost value of his cruise vacation and travel expenses, maintaining that the experience was severely ruined due to NCL’s negligence.
Contact a Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt During a Cruise Vacation
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries during shore excursions or while visiting private cruise line islands may be entitled to financial compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise operators have a legal duty to maintain safe premises, manage active risks, and provide adequate safety warnings regarding known hazards to their guests. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident or animal attack during a cruise ship excursion, contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys today to review your claim and discuss your legal remedies.
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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.
