Cruise Ship Lawyers Blog

Published on: February 18, 2026

Charges Unclear as Stepbrother Appears in Federal Court Following Girl’s Cruise Ship Death.

The stepbrother of Ana Kepner, the 18-year-old girl whose body was found wrapped in blankets under a bed on a cruise ship, recently appeared in Federal Court in Miami, according to media.

The hearing related to the Titusville, Florida, teen’s death in November, and any related documents, will be sealed as the stepbrother in this case is a minor, according to reporting from national media outlets. The 16-year-old boy has yet to be named publicly in this case. That will only change if the teen is tried as an adult.

He was represented by a public defender and appeared before Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres and was later processed for pretrial release, NBC 6 South Florida reported. It is unclear what the teen was charged with related to Kepner’s death.

Published on: February 11, 2026

GI Outbreak on Luxury Cruise Ship Leaves More than 25 Sick. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

Over 25 people reported feeling sick following an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness aboard a luxury cruise ship.

At least 21 passengers and at least six crew members on a ship headed from Miami to Honolulu reported symptoms of norovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The cause in this case us unknown.

Published on: January 30, 2026

Cruise Passengers Injured in Crash While Docked. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

At least two people were injured when the golf cart they had rented while docked in Turks and Caicos was hit by another vehicle.

The incident happened Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, on Grand Turk when a cruise ship was docked on the island, allowing passengers to explore. The couple was traveling with the cruise line when they rented a golf cart on land and were struck by another vehicle.

The driver involved in this incident was allegedly charged with reckless driving, according to Cruise News Today.

Published on: January 26, 2026

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

By Leesfield & Partners

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.