Tennessee Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After ATV Axle Snaps on Shore Excursion in Aruba
Kayla Bonsor, a resident of Tennessee, has filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. after suffering multiple injuries during an ATV-style shore excursion in Aruba that was allegedly marketed and sold by the cruise line. The complaint, filed on September 2, 2025, in the Southern District of Florida under Case No. 1:25-cv-23960-AHS, alleges that Royal Caribbean breached its non-delegable duty to provide a reasonably safe excursion and acted negligently in selecting and retaining the excursion operator.
Cruise Passenger Injured in UTV Crash During Excursion Promoted by Royal Caribbean Aboard Adventure of the Seas
According to the lawsuit, Bonsor was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Adventure of the Seas, a ship operated by Royal Caribbean. During a port stop in Oranjestad, Aruba, on September 3, 2024, she took part in a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) excursion promoted through Royal Caribbean’s website, onboard television, printed materials, and announcements.
The excursion was operated by Fofoti Tours, a third-party company with whom Royal Caribbean allegedly shared revenue from the tour. Bonsor claims she was led to believe that the tour was operated or vetted by Royal Caribbean and that it would meet recognized safety standards. She states she was not provided with protective gear such as a helmet, nor was she warned that the tour would involve driving on main roads alongside regular vehicle traffic.
While navigating the UTV on a busy four-lane highway (1A/1B), the axle of the vehicle allegedly broke, causing the wheel to detach. This led the UTV to flip, strike a guardrail, and bounce back into oncoming traffic. Bonsor suffered a head injury, shoulder trauma, and severe bruising in the crash.
Lawsuit Claims Royal Caribbean Failed to Investigate or Warn About Dangerous UTV Excursion in Aruba
The complaint asserts that Royal Caribbean had a non-delegable duty under maritime law to ensure that excursions it sold were reasonably safe. The plaintiff alleges the cruise line failed to properly vet Fofoti Tours regarding:
- The maintenance and mechanical safety of its UTV fleet
- The provision of safety gear like helmets
- The training and supervision of tour operators
- The operating conditions, including traffic risks on public roads
The lawsuit further claims that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known about prior incidents involving Fofoti Tours, citing three previous accidents in December 2018, June 2022, and October 2022. Another UTV crash allegedly occurred during the same tour as Bonsor’s, involving a different participant from her group.
Apparent Agency and Misleading Marketing Alleged in Royal Caribbean’s Promotion of UTV Excursion
Bonsor’s legal team alleges that Royal Caribbean portrayed the UTV excursion as part of the overall cruise experience, implying that it was operated directly by the cruise line or under its supervision. The plaintiff states that:
- Fofoti Tours was not named in any pre-excursion materials
- The tour was sold via the ship’s shore excursion desk and billed through the passenger’s onboard account
- Promotional materials claimed the use of the “best local providers” and emphasized safety as a top priority
The complaint claims that these representations led Bonsor to reasonably believe the excursion was operated by Royal Caribbean or a vetted partner, making the cruise line vicariously liable under apparent agency or agency by estoppel.
Plaintiff Alleges Ongoing Medical Issues, Seeks Damages for Negligent Hiring and Retention of Tour Operator
The complaint brings four counts against Royal Caribbean:
- Breach of Non-Delegable Duty to Provide a Safe Excursion
- Negligence Under Apparent Agency
- Negligent Selection and Hiring of Excursion Operator
- Negligent Retention of Excursion Operator
Bonsor seeks damages for:
- Bodily injury
- Emotional distress
- Disability and loss of function
- Medical care and rehabilitation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Aggravation of pre-existing conditions
She claims her injuries are permanent and ongoing and is requesting a jury trial and full compensation under general maritime law.
Injured in an Unsafe Shore Excursion Sold by a Cruise Line? You May Have a Claim Under Maritime Law
Cruise lines have a legal duty to ensure that excursions offered to passengers meet reasonable safety standards. Even when operated by third parties, these tours can lead to cruise line liability if the company promoted, sold, or profited from the excursion without conducting proper vetting or providing adequate warnings.
If you were injured during a shore excursion marketed by a cruise line, contact an experienced cruise excursion injury lawyer to explore your rights.
Contact us now to speak with a maritime injury attorney about your potential claim.
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.
