Royal Caribbean and Global Cruises Sued After Fall on Cartagena Excursion Bus
Judith Anna Sher, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Colombian tour operator Global Cruises, LLC. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25429-RAR, stems from an alleged incident on November 29, 2024, during a Royal Caribbean-sponsored excursion in Cartagena, Colombia. Sher claims she was seriously injured when a double-decker tour bus suddenly moved while she was descending the stairs, causing her to fall down the staircase.
Cruise Passenger Injured While Exiting Upper Deck of Cartagena City Tour Bus Operated by Royal Caribbean’s Shore Excursion Partner
According to the complaint, Sher purchased the “Cartagena City Hop-On Hop-Off Tour” excursion from Royal Caribbean before boarding the Explorer of the Seas. The excursion was promoted onboard and through pre-cruise communications as being safe and appropriate for individuals of her age and physical condition. The tour involved riding on a double-decker bus operated by Global Cruises, Royal Caribbean’s local partner in Colombia.
On the day of the incident, Sher and her husband were seated on the upper deck of the bus. As passengers began exiting at a stop, Sher attempted to descend the stairs. Without warning, the bus allegedly lurched forward, causing her to lose balance and fall down the staircase. The complaint alleges there were no safety instructions, no announcements warning passengers upstairs, and no staff present on the upper deck to assist with disembarkation.
Royal Caribbean and Global Cruises Accused of Failing to Warn and Safeguard Passengers on Double-Decker Bus Shore Excursion
Sher’s lawsuit contends that both Royal Caribbean and Global Cruises breached their duty to provide a reasonably safe excursion experience. The tour allegedly lacked basic safety protocols, such as communication between the driver and tour guide, instructions for upper-deck passengers, or any delay in movement until all passengers had safely exited the bus. She further alleges that no tour personnel were present on the upper deck, and passengers could not hear safety instructions from below.
Royal Caribbean is accused of negligent failure to warn passengers of these foreseeable dangers, including the risks associated with sudden bus movement, lack of communication, overcrowding, and the absence of staff on the upper level. The cruise line is also alleged to have misrepresented the excursion as safe in its promotional materials and direct communications with the plaintiff.
Complaint Alleges Royal Caribbean Was Negligent in Selecting and Supervising Cartagena Shore Excursion Partner
Sher also brings claims against Royal Caribbean for negligent selection, training, and supervision of its shore excursion partner, Global Cruises. The lawsuit states that Royal Caribbean maintains a dedicated department in Miami responsible for vetting and overseeing third-party excursion operators. Despite this, Sher alleges the cruise line failed to properly assess Global Cruises’ safety practices and permitted an excursion with known or knowable risks to proceed.
The complaint further alleges that Royal Caribbean had the ability to reject unsafe providers and was aware—or should have been aware—of prior incidents, complaints, or deficiencies involving Global Cruises. The cruise line is also accused of failing to assign onboard personnel to supervise the excursion or implement safety measures such as adequate crowd control and communication across both decks of the bus.
Global Cruises Also Named as Defendant for Negligent Operation of Shore Excursion Tour in Colombia
Global Cruises, the Colombian company operating the Cartagena City Tour, is likewise named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Sher asserts that the company failed to properly instruct or monitor its personnel, permitted the bus to move while passengers were descending the stairs, and failed to implement safety procedures for guests on the upper deck. The complaint claims that these failures created an unreasonably dangerous condition that directly caused Sher’s injuries.
The complaint brings multiple negligence counts against Global Cruises, including failure to warn, general negligence, and negligent supervision of its own personnel. Sher alleges that despite knowledge of the risks associated with moving the bus while passengers were exiting, the operator took no steps to mitigate those risks or provide visual or verbal warnings to guests.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries Including Shoulder Fracture and Hip Complications
As a result of the fall, Sher alleges she sustained a fracture to her right shoulder and aggravated complications related to a prior hip replacement. The complaint details a course of medical treatment including therapy, injections, and ongoing pain management. She also claims her injuries are permanent in nature and have significantly impaired her quality of life.
Sher is seeking damages for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. She has demanded a jury trial on all counts.
Contact a Cruise Shore Excursion Injury Lawyer If You Were Hurt on a Cruise-Organized Tour
Passengers who are injured during shore excursions sold or organized by cruise lines may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean have a duty to vet and monitor third-party tour operators and warn guests about foreseeable risks. If you or a loved one suffered an injury during a cruise-sponsored excursion, our maritime injury attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and options.
Contact us now to speak with an experienced cruise excursion injury attorney.
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.
