Ohio Passenger Sues NCL and Dominican Tour Operator After Bus Slip-and-Fall on Shore Excursion
An Ohio woman has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and its Dominican Republic-based excursion partner, Caribbean Adventure Tours, after allegedly slipping and falling on a wet, sandy bus step during a shore excursion in Puerto Plata. The complaint, filed April 29, 2025, claims the excursion was negligently operated and promoted, resulting in serious injuries to plaintiff Lauren White. The case is styled Lauren White v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., Caribbean Adventure Tours, Ltd., and XYZ Corporation(s), Case No. 1:25-cv-21946-KMM.
Passenger Slipped on Wet Bus Stairs After Participating in Jungle Waterfall Excursion
The incident occurred on May 22, 2024, during a nature excursion titled “Damajaguas Nature Walk & Cultural Experience,” which included hiking and swimming near waterfalls in the Dominican Republic. According to the complaint, passengers returned to the bus after the wet and sandy adventure, but were not given towels or mats to dry themselves or their belongings.
While attempting to exit the bus to purchase photos from the tour, White allegedly slipped on a step that had become wet and slippery with sand. The lawsuit claims the excursion operator failed to implement basic safety procedures, such as drying the steps or warning passengers of the hazard.
White alleges she suffered serious injuries including physical pain, disfigurement, and permanent disability.
NCL Allegedly Knew of Prior Excursion Hazards and Retained Unfit Operator
The complaint asserts that NCL had actual or constructive knowledge that the excursion was unreasonably dangerous due to prior incidents, internal audits, inspection reports, and annual approval processes. It also alleges that NCL profits from such excursions and exercises control over their operation, making it liable for selecting and retaining an allegedly unfit provider.
White further claims she relied on NCL’s representations about the safety and reputability of its excursions, which were marketed through NCL’s website and onboard promotions. She accuses NCL of misleading passengers by suggesting excursions are inspected and operated by reputable local partners when in fact NCL disclaims direct control.
Legal Claims: Negligent Selection, Warning, Maintenance, Joint Venture, and Non-Delegable Duty
The lawsuit asserts seven causes of action:
- Negligent selection and retention against NCL
- Negligent failure to warn by NCL about known excursion hazards
- General negligence in NCL’s excursion-related safety policies and supervision
- Direct negligence against the excursion operator for maintaining unsafe conditions
- Apparent agency and agency by estoppel, alleging the tour operator appeared to be NCL’s agent
- Joint venture liability, asserting NCL and the operator shared profits and control
- Breach of a non-delegable duty, arguing NCL is contractually bound to ensure passenger safety
The lawsuit also challenges NCL’s use of confidentiality agreements in past settlements, arguing they obscure the frequency of similar incidents and delay safety reforms.
Industry Impact: Excursion Oversight and Cruise Line Liability
This case fits within a growing category of cruise litigation targeting third-party excursion injuries. Courts have increasingly scrutinized cruise lines’ relationships with local tour operators, particularly where the lines profit from excursions but disclaim liability when accidents occur.
The outcome may impact how cruise lines vet and oversee excursions and how transparently they disclose operational responsibility. It could also bolster legal arguments that cruise lines have non-delegable duties to ensure passenger safety during promoted land-based excursions.
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