Cruise Ship Lawyers Blog

Published on: January 26, 2026

First Norovirus Case of the New Year Reported Aboard Cruise Ship After Year Rife with Outbreaks. What to Know.

The first norovirus outbreak of 2026 was reported to the Centers for Disease Control recently aboard a Holland America ship, according to reporting from Cruise News Today.

The report was made regarding a voyage that ended at the beginning of the month and involved about 85 passengers and nine crew members.

Norovirus is an illness that can cause acute gastroenteritis and spreads through contaminated food, water, or surfaces. It is highly contagious and spreads through the viral particles of vomit or stool of infected people, which can be accidentally ingested. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, and stomach cramps.

Published on: January 12, 2026

Mother Jumps After Child in Cruise Ship Incident. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A video showing the rescue of a mother and daughter after the child fell into the water while their cruise ship was docked in the Bahamas has gone viral.

The incident went viral earlier this month after the child, 4 years old, quickly ventured away from her mother and fell into the water between the ship and the dock, according to reporting from USA Today. The mother is said to have wasted no time and quickly jumped into the water after her.

A video of the rescue was posted online and showed crew members lowering a life ring between the ship and the dock to the pair in the water. The child was lifted first and the mother emerged soon after to cheers from the crowd that had amassed around the area.

Published on: January 8, 2026

Over 100 Sick on Holiday Cruise. What Happened.

By Leesfield & Partners

More than 100 people fell ill while traveling aboard a cruise ship with a planned voyage through the Eastern Caribbean over the holidays, according to reporting from Cruise News Today.

The Centers for Disease Control told the outlet that about 95 passengers and at least nine crew members suffered from vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps during the Christmas voyage. The cause of the illness was not immediately available.

Following reports of people becoming sick, officials with the cruise line said that they were enhancing cleaning aboard the ship, isolating those who reported having similar symptoms, and conducted group testing.

Published on: December 29, 2025

Woman Charged After Alleged Fight With Teen on Cruise Ship. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A woman was detained at Port Miami and later charged with child abuse after authorities say she tackled a teenager to the ground, according to national media outlets.

Paetra Ann Grandsberry, 38, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, was charged on Monday, Dec. 22, after the ship she was on docked at Port Miami.

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, while the ship was near the Bahamas, People reported on Tuesday, Dec. 23. Security had been made aware that teens were fighting aboard the ship and Grandsberry told officers that her two sons were “attacked by several kids.”

Published on: December 18, 2025

This Major Cruise Line Banned This Smart Device From Ships. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

MSC Cruises recently implemented a ban on smart glasses in common areas aboard its ships, citing the device’s ability to “covertly or discreetly” record as a reason, according to reporting over the weekend from USA Today.

While the news has only recently made headlines, MSC officials told reporters that the policy took effect in July. Guests are still able to bring the glasses aboard ships and use them on shore or in their cabins, but are prohibited from using them in the ship’s common areas.

“Smart glasses and similar devices are listed among prohibited items to ensure our security teams can intervene and confiscate the device if misuse occurs,” MSC said in a statement emailed to USA Today. “This measure is in place solely to protect the privacy and safety of all guests and crew.”

Published on: December 15, 2025

Crewmember Attacked by Passenger in Viral Clip. What Happened?

By Leesfield & Partners

A crewmember was attacked aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas in a recent incident that has gone viral online.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday, Dec. 6, shows the crewmember, a lifeguard, allegedly trying to direct passengers away from an outdoor deck area.

The passengers — many of whom were in swim attire — can be seen angrily attempting to get in the crewmember’s face as he backs away from the heated argument. A scuffle breaks out and the lifeguard appears to be hit and knocked to the ground.

Published on: November 26, 2025

Court Filing Suggests ‘Criminal Case’ May Be Opened Against Stepsibling of Teen Found Dead on Cruise Ship.

By Leesfield & Partners

A recent Brevard County Circuit Court filing suggests that “criminal charges” may be brought against a minor allegedly linked to a teen whose cruise ship death is under investigation by the FBI.

The filing, a motion to postpone a custody hearing, confirmed the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner and stated that a “criminal case may be initiated against one of the minor children,” according to reporting from The Miami Herald. It was not immediately clear whether the potential charges are linked to Kepner’s death.

The body of Kepner, a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, was found on Nov. 7, aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship by a housekeeper. Her body was allegedly found underneath a bed in her stateroom, according to national media.

Published on: November 24, 2025

This Cruise Line Has Closed Waterslides on Multiple Ships. Here’s Why.

By Leesfield & Partners

Royal Caribbean has shut down slides on multiple ships in its fleet in a bid to improve safety months after a passenger was injured in an incident that caught national attention.

The incident happened in August when a slide’s acrylic panel shattered, injuring a passenger. The slide was closed and then repaired. Videos showing the aftermath went viral and caught nationwide attention.

Since then, company’s safety initiative has closed slides on at least three ships, according to reporting from The Miami Herald. No official word has been released on whether more slides will face closure or the duration of the alleged shutdown.

Published on: November 24, 2025

Excursion Boat Sinks, Man Falls Between Cruise Ship and Pier: What to Know About These Recent Cruise Ship Accidents.

By Leesfield & Partners

At least 51 cruise ship passengers were in need of rescue off the coast of the Dominican Republic after the tour boat they were on sunk on Sunday, Nov. 9, according to media.

The incident involved a catamaran with a shore excursion from a two-week cruise ship and allegedly resulted from an “internal failure,” according to Cruise News Today.

The stop in Samana Bay had been added following re-routing due to inclement weather conditions related to Hurricane Melissa. No “major” injuries were reported.

Published on: November 18, 2025

FBI Investigates Death of Teen on Cruise Ship. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

The FBI is investigating the death of an 18-year-old passenger last week aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship, according to national media.

Anna Kepner, of Titusville, Florida, died while traveling from Miami to the Caribbean. The ship she was on, the Carnival Horizon, returned to Port Miami on Nov. 8. It is unclear who she was traveling with or if she was traveling alone at the time of her death.

No cause of death has been released as of Wednesday, Nov. 12. Officials have not publicly commented on the case, citing the ongoing investigation. It is “standard practice” for the FBI to investigate deaths on cruise ships, according to reporting from USA Today, and the presence of these agents “does not automatically imply suspicious circumstances.”