Texas Resident Sues Royal Caribbean After Excursion Bus Crash and Medical Misdiagnosis on Harmony of the Seas
Mia Almefireej, a citizen of Texas, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Group in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The legal action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20576, alleges that Almefireej suffered severe and permanent injuries due to a high-speed bus collision during a shore excursion in Roatan, Honduras, on January 29, 2025. The complaint further asserts that the cruise line is responsible for the subsequent failure of the shipboard medical staff to properly diagnose her injuries once she returned to the Royal Harmony of the Seas.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Roatan Shore Excursion Bus Accident Involving Excessive Speed
The incident occurred while the plaintiff was participating in the Turquoise Bay Ultimate Sea Adventure clear kayak and snorkel excursion. According to the complaint, Almefireej was a passenger on an excursion bus returning to the pier when the driver operated the vehicle at an unsafe and excessive rate of speed. Despite the presence of slowed or stopped traffic ahead, the driver allegedly failed to brake in time and collided violently with another vehicle. The impact threw Almefireej forward, causing significant injuries to her neck and her right foot. The lawsuit highlights that a Royal Caribbean crew member was present on the bus during the crash and reportedly observed the dangerous driving but failed to intervene or instruct the driver to slow down.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligent Retention and Failure to Warn of Known Excursion Dangers
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazards associated with Roatan shore excursions and the specific operators involved. The plaintiff’s legal team points to various online reviews and passenger complaints, including those on TripAdvisor, which described the dangerous nature of Roatan’s roads and the propensity for excursion drivers to speed in order to return passengers to the ship on time. One cited review even detailed a guide directing traffic and weaving through lanes to ensure a bus made it back to the pier. The complaint argues that the cruise line failed in its duty to warn passengers of these foreseeable risks and was negligent in retaining excursion entities that it knew or should have known were incompetent or unfit to safely transport guests.
Complaint Alleges Apparent Agency and Joint Venture Between Royal Caribbean and Excursion Entities
A central theme of the litigation is the relationship between the cruise line and the local tour operators. Almefireej asserts that Royal Caribbean is legally responsible for the negligence of the excursion entities because it created the appearance of a seamless operation. The complaint notes that the cruise line marketed the excursion on its proprietary website and app using its own logos, collected all fees through its onboard billing system, and provided promotional materials that described the tours as being run by reputable and insured operators. Because the cruise line did not clearly disclose that the excursion was operated by an independent contractor, the plaintiff argues she reasonably believed the tour was managed directly by Royal Caribbean agents. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges a joint venture existed because the cruise line and the operators shared control, ticket profits, and the risk of losses.
Royal Caribbean Facing Vicarious Liability for Shipboard Doctor Failure to Diagnose Foot Injuries
Beyond the bus accident itself, the lawsuit brings serious allegations regarding the medical care provided aboard the Harmony of the Seas. Following the crash, Almefireej sought treatment at the shipboard medical center, but the physician and medical staff allegedly failed to diagnose the injuries to her right foot. The complaint seeks to hold Royal Caribbean vicariously liable for this medical negligence under the doctrine of respondeat superior, arguing that the medical staff were full-time employees who wore ship uniforms, were subject to the ship’s discipline, and were marketed as part of the cruise line’s proprietary “infirmary.” The plaintiff contends that this failure to provide an accurate diagnosis delayed necessary treatment and aggravated her physical condition.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Injuries and Loss of Cruise Value Following Shore Excursion Crash
The lawsuit includes eight counts against the defendants, ranging from negligent failure to warn and negligent retention to vicarious liability for medical malpractice and joint venture negligence. Almefireej alleges that as a result of the collision and the subsequent medical errors, she has suffered permanent physical disability, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and significant medical expenses. She is also seeking damages for the lost value of her vacation and transportation costs, claiming that the negligence of the cruise line and its partners irreparably damaged her cruise experience. The plaintiff has demanded a trial by jury to determine the full extent of the damages owed.
Contact a Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt During a Port Activity
Passengers who suffer injuries during shore excursions or due to medical errors aboard a vessel may be entitled to financial compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise companies have a significant legal obligation to vet their excursion partners and provide a standard of reasonable care through their medical staff. If you or a loved one experienced a similar incident involving a bus crash, excursion accident, or a failure to diagnose injuries on a cruise, reaching out to a maritime attorney can help protect your rights. Our team is available to help you navigate the complexities of filing a claim against major cruise lines.
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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.
