Passenger sues Royal Caribbean after sailing through storm

Posted on Tuesday, March 1st, 2016 at 5:44 pm    

A passenger aboard Miami, Florida-based Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas named Bruce Simpson has filed a lawsuit against the cruise line in a Miami federal court in February. In his lawsuit, Simpson claims that the cruise line acted negligently when its employees decided to sail into a storm despite being aware of the inclement weather.

According to Simpson, Royal Caribbean chose to “send the Anthem of the Seas directly into the storm,” a move which placed him and the rest of the passengers on the ship in “grave danger.”

Jason Itkin, Simpson’s legal counsel, echoed Simpson’s sentiment, saying in a statement: “[Royal Caribbean] took a calculated risk when they sent their passengers into the storm, and we don’t think the passengers should be the ones that pay for [their] lack of judgment.”

Passengers posted photographs in their social media accounts of huge waves as seen from windows in the lower cabins and parts of the ship’s upper decks. Royal Caribbean reported that four passengers had been injured during the storm.

The cruise ship left its Cape Liberty, New Jersey port on Sunday, February 7 bound for the Bahamas. Anthem of the Seas soon reversed course, making a return to the New Jersey port on Wednesday, February 10 instead of going to the port in Miami so as to avoid another storm in Jacksonville.

Our attorneys at Louis A. Vucci P.A. represent clients who have suffered serious and preventable injuries aboard cruise ships. To discuss your case and learn about your legal options, call us today at (786) 375-0344.