Texas Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Tripping on Overcrowded Pier While Disembarking Harmony of the Seas
Vicky Leroy-Krueger, a resident of Texas, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23113-DPG, arises from a February 7, 2024 incident in which Leroy-Krueger allegedly tripped and fell while disembarking the Harmony of the Seas due to dangerous overcrowding on the pier. The lawsuit claims that Royal Caribbean failed to manage the disembarkation process safely and did not warn passengers about the hazardous conditions.
Passenger Alleges She Tripped on Crowded Pier After Exiting Harmony of the Seas During Unsupervised Disembarkation
According to the complaint, Leroy-Krueger was lawfully disembarking from the Harmony of the Seas when she stepped onto a concrete pier adjacent to the vessel. The pier, allegedly visible and known to the cruise line’s crew, had become dangerously overcrowded due to an excessive number of passengers exiting the ship simultaneously. As she attempted to navigate through the crowd, another individual inadvertently stepped backward into her path, causing her to trip and fall.
The lawsuit asserts that Royal Caribbean failed to implement basic crowd control measures, such as spacing, timing, and route management, resulting in unsafe congestion that led directly to the fall.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Manage Passenger Traffic and Comply with International Safety Regulations
Leroy-Krueger’s lawsuit includes multiple counts of negligence, including failure to manage the disembarkation process, failure to warn, and vicarious liability for crew negligence. The complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to provide adequate oversight, crowd management, or signage to prevent the dangerous conditions on the pier.
The lawsuit also references international safety regulations under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) treaty, which mandate safe and obstacle-free escape routes. Plaintiff argues that Royal Caribbean violated these standards by allowing the pier to become an unsafe and unregulated zone for passengers disembarking the ship.
Lawsuit Cites Prior Similar Incidents, Claims Royal Caribbean Knew of Overcrowding Risks but Failed to Act
The complaint references prior lawsuits, including Swithenbank v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (S.D. Fla. Case No. 1:24-cv-22957), as evidence that the cruise line had knowledge of similar disembarkation-related injuries. According to the filing, Royal Caribbean failed to learn from these incidents or update its procedures to protect future passengers.
Plaintiff claims that crewmembers on the Harmony of the Seas either knew or should have known about the overcrowded conditions on the pier through real-time observation but failed to take appropriate action or issue any warning to passengers.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Fractured Shoulder, Pain, and Disruption of Cruise Vacation
As a result of the fall, Leroy-Krueger allegedly sustained a fractured left shoulder, disfigurement, disability, and emotional distress. She also claims she incurred medical expenses and lost the ability to fully enjoy her cruise. Her injuries are described as permanent or continuing in nature, and the complaint seeks compensation for both past and future losses, including medical costs and diminished quality of life.
She demands a jury trial and requests damages in excess of $75,000.
Cruise Lines Have a Legal Duty to Safely Manage Disembarkation and Protect Passengers from Foreseeable Hazards
Under maritime law, cruise lines are required to use reasonable care to manage passenger disembarkation and ensure that pathways like gangways and piers are free from hazards. Poor traffic control, lack of supervision, and overcrowding during disembarkation can lead to serious injuries and may constitute negligence.
If you or someone you care about has been injured while boarding or exiting a cruise ship due to unsafe conditions or inadequate crowd control, you may have legal options.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship disembarkation injury attorney.
