Cruise Ship Lawyers Blog

Published on: February 26, 2026

Dream Vacation Becomes Nightmare: Leesfield & Partners Representing Mother of Four Following Cruise Ship Fall

What was meant to be an unforgettable trip, marking her first time traveling out of the country, turned out a bit differently for a mother of four now represented by Leesfield & Partners.

“I was in shock,” this is what our 64-year-old client had to say regarding the immediate aftermath of a fall on a cruise ship deck that was slick with water.

The woman, a public school bus driver and school cafeteria worker, was on the ship with her daughter, grandchildren, her son-in-law, and his mother for a family vacation when she fell. Her daughter rushed to her side and described her mother’s leg as appearing “deformed” from her injury.

Published on: February 26, 2026

How This Vessel Fared Following Latest Winter Storms. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

The waterslides and pool deck of this cruise ship — originally meant to be enjoyed with the backdrop of sparkling, tropical waters — looked a little different covered in New Jersey snow.

Stuck in port overnight in the Garden State due to Winter Storm Hernando, the vessel was blanketed in snow. While the ship was meant to be carrying its thousands of passengers to the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas, guests instead peered out their windows to find pool decks and lounge chairs coated in snow and framed by an unexpected, icy landscape. Photos of the peculiar sight can be seen posted on the cruise line’s blog page.

The weather delay has also set back arrivals in Port Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday, Feb. 24, as well as later arrivals at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, the blog reported. If the weather does not improve, then further changes to scheduled voyages may be possible.

Published on: February 23, 2026

One Dead, Four Others Injured in Cruise Ship Fire. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

Officials are investigating what caused a fire to break out aboard a cruise ship in Singapore following the death of at least one person and the injury to four others.

The fire broke out on Friday, Feb. 20 in a lounge area on one of the ship’s decks, according to reporting from PEOPLE. The name and age of the person who died, a member of the crew from Indonesia, was not immediately available Friday afternoon. The four who were injured are recovering in the hospital, the media outlet reported.

The fire aboard the ship, which was carrying 271 passengers and about 338 crew members at the time, was reported to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) at around 4 a.m. local time. Passengers were evacuated while members of the crew handled the flames. Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) marine firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Published on: February 18, 2026

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

By Leesfield & Partners

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.”