Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Accident Claims: Your Complete Legal Guide for Injured Passengers
A holiday on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship is often the fulfilment of a lifetime dream for many of its passengers – exciting places to see and explore, luxury accommodation on board with fine dining, entertainment and numerous leisure activities.
However, passengers on Royal Caribbean cruise ships face the risk of being injured, either on the cruise ship, in port or on the sea or during an adventurous shore excursion arranged by the cruise ship operator.
The operators of Royal Caribbean cruise ships owe a duty of care to all their passengers to minimise the risk of injury. This duty extends to keeping walkways on board dry and non-slippery. To secure moving objects in heavier seas; to check the conditions for adventurous shore excursions; providing competent medical treatment on board.
Injuries suffered whilst on a cruise ship are often devastating and life changing.
If you have been injured during an on-board activity or a shore excursion, you may be entitled to receive monetary compensation for your losses and pain and suffering.
This cruise ship accident guide covers:
- Examples of accidents on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and during shore excursions.
- Details of the compensation you can receive if your injuries have been inflicted on you through negligence/neglect by the cruise ship operator.
- How Stacks Goudkamp can assist you in pursuing monetary compensation against Royal Caribbean.
Examples of accidents on Royal Caribbean cruise ships
Royal Caribbean cruise ships are amongst the largest and most feature-packed cruise ships worldwide. Their ships include amenities such as surf simulators, ice rinks and zip lines. Accidents can and do happen. The following are examples of accidents which occur on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, causing injuries to their passengers:
- Slip, trip and fall injuries
- On-board activity incidents
- Accidents in and around swimming pools
- Negligent medical treatment in the cruise ship’s medical clinic
- Accidents during adventurous shore excursions.
An example of recent successful compensation claims against Royal Caribbean:
Volcanic eruption on White Island off the coast of New Zealand on 9 December 2019.Â
On that fateful and tragic day, 47 passengers from Royal Caribbean’s “Ovation of the Seas” opted to go on a shore excursion to climb up to the rim of the volcano on White Island. This excursion was arranged on payment of fees, by Royal Caribbean.
Tragically, the volcano  erupted violently, releasing superheated steam, ash and toxic gases. There was no escape for 19 passengers from Ovation of the Seas, and 2 local tour guides who perished on the island. 25 other passengers were shockingly burnt which ultimately required extensive burn injury treatment including skin grafts, amputations and multiple surgeries. The psychological trauma was immense.
Stacks Goudkamp acted for a number of the injured passengers and the relatives of those who died. Because Royal Caribbean cruise ships are registered in Miami, in the United States, Stacks Goudkamp’s clients’ claims were lodged in Miami, rather than in Australia. The claims were successfully prosecuted and settled for very significant sums.
What monetary compensation is available if you are injured in a Royal Caribbean cruise ship injury, either on board or during a shore excursion arranged by Royal Caribbean?
- Loss of income and income earning potential.
- Medical expenses, including the cost of surgeries, medication, hospitalisation, prostheses and ongoing medical treatment and surgery.
- Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment and amenities of life for the past and future.
- Psychological trauma, including depression, anxiety, loss of motivation etc.
- Punitive damages to punish Royal Caribbean (only in the US).
- Travelling and accommodation costs related to injuries and treatment.
- The cost of domestic and other assistance because of your injuries and continuing disabilities.
Important legal considerations in making claims against Royal Caribbean
- Their cruise ship contracts often include jurisdiction clauses, usually Miami in Florida in the USA.
- Strict time limits may apply, some as short as 6 months for notice in one year to sue.
- International maritime laws may have an impact on claims.
What to Do If You’re Injured on a Royal Caribbean Cruise
– Seek medical attention immediately
– Report the incident to ship staff and request documentation
– Take photos of the scene and your injuries
– Collect witness details
– Preserve travel documents
– Contact Stacks Goudkamp for legal advice
Why Choose Stacks Goudkamp for Cruise Ship Injury Claims
Stacks Goudkamp is Australia’s leading personal injury law firm for travel accident compensation, including cruise ship injuries.
Specialist Expertise:
– Deep knowledge of maritime law and international claims
– Experience handling complex jurisdictional issues
Proven Success:
– Represented victims of the White Island eruption
– Won claims involving falls, burns, and psychological trauma
Global Reach:
– Pursues claims in U.S. courts where compensation is higher
– Challenges unfair contract clauses to keep cases in favourable jurisdictions
No Win, No Fee:
– Free consultations
– No upfront costs
Support While You’re Still at Sea:
– Remote legal advice to help preserve evidence and protect your rights before disembarkation
Conclusion: Protect Your Rights After a Cruise Ship Accident
Injuries sustained aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship can have serious and long-lasting consequences – physically, emotionally, and financially. Whether you’ve suffered a broken bone from a slip on a wet deck, psychological trauma from a disaster at sea, or inadequate medical treatment onboard, you may be entitled to significant compensation under international maritime law and consumer protection legislation.
Navigating the legal complexities of cruise ship injury claims is not something you should face alone. Royal Caribbean’s contracts often include restrictive clauses and short timeframes for filing claims – sometimes as little as six months to notify and one year to sue. These limitations can make it difficult for injured passengers to pursue justice, especially when the cruise line is headquartered overseas.
That’s where Stacks Goudkamp comes in. With decades of experience in travel accident compensation, including high-profile cases involving Royal Caribbean, our team understands how to:
- Challenge unfair contract terms
- File claims in U.S. jurisdictions where compensation is often higher
- Quantify your losses—medical, financial, and emotional
- Secure expert evidence to support your case
- Advocate for your rights with compassion and precision
If you’ve been injured on a Royal Caribbean cruise, don’t wait. The sooner you seek expert legal advice, the stronger your case will be. You can read some of our successful cruise ship injury claims here.
