Ontario Man Sues Princess Cruise Lines After Biting Into Ring Hidden in Appetizer Aboard Royal Princess
Joe Ramos, a resident of Ontario, Canada, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21387-BB, alleges that Ramos suffered significant dental injuries and permanent damage after biting into a hard metallic object concealed within a food item served in the ship’s restaurant on May 19, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Suffers Dental Injuries from Foreign Object Contamination in Royal Princess Dining Room
The complaint states that the incident occurred while Ramos was dining with his family aboard the Royal Princess during a vacation cruise. After ordering a Shrimp and Spinach Dip appetizer, Ramos began consuming the dish and unexpectedly bit into a hard object. Upon removing the object from his mouth, he discovered it was a ring. The impact caused damage to his teeth and wounded his gums. According to the filing, a waiter named Marino witnessed the discovery and summoned a chef, believed to be the Executive Chef, who immediately took the ring away. Following the incident, Ramos sought treatment in the ship’s infirmary and has required ongoing dental care since returning home to Canada.
Princess Cruise Lines Accused of Negligent Food Preparation and Failure to Inspect Appetizer for Hazards
The lawsuit alleges that Princess Cruise Lines breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to ensure the food served to passengers was safe for consumption. Ramos claims that the presence of a metallic ring in a prepared appetizer is a type of incident that ordinarily does not happen without negligence. The legal filing asserts that the cruise line failed to properly prepare, serve, and inspect the food item to ensure it was free of foreign contaminants. Furthermore, the complaint suggests that the cruise line failed to provide adequate training and instruction to its crewmembers regarding safe food handling procedures and risk management protocols designed to prevent such accidents.
Lawsuit Claims Cruise Line Had Notice of Dangerous Condition Created by Galley Staff Negligence
Ramos alleges that Princess Cruise Lines had actual notice of the dangerous condition because its own employees created the hazard through improper food handling or preparation. The plaintiff argues that the cruise line is vicariously liable for the negligent acts of its Food and Beverage Department and Dining Room Department staff, who were acting within the scope of their employment. The complaint emphasizes that the appetizer was within the exclusive control of the defendant’s personnel until the moment it was served, and that Ramos did not contribute to the cause of the injury. Additionally, the lawsuit includes a count for failure to warn, alleging the cruise line did not alert the passenger to the hidden danger that was known or knowable to the staff but unknown to Ramos.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Dental Damage and Loss of Enjoyment of Life Aboard Royal Princess
The complaint seeks recovery for a wide range of damages resulting from the incident. Ramos alleges he has suffered physical pain, mental anguish, disability, and disfigurement. In addition to the medical and dental expenses incurred for treatment, the lawsuit claims that Ramos has experienced a loss of enjoyment of life and a loss of earning capacity. The injuries are described as being permanent or continuing in nature, suggesting that the plaintiff will continue to suffer impairments and financial losses in the future. Ramos has demanded a trial by jury to resolve these claims against the cruise line.
Contact a Cruise Ship Food Contamination Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt by Foreign Objects in Shipboard Meals
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to foreign objects in food, improper food handling, or negligent service in a ship’s dining room may be entitled to compensation under general maritime law. Cruise lines like Princess have a legal obligation to maintain high standards of food safety and to ensure that meals served to passengers are free from hazardous contaminants. If you or a loved one suffered dental damage, illness, or other injuries due to unsafe food conditions while on a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are dedicated to helping victims navigate the complexities of maritime law and securing the justice they deserve.
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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.
