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When Seasickness Turns Serious: Medical Negligence Claims on Cruise Ships

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Cruising in the Time of COVID-19: Passenger Rights

How cruise lines handle accident claims and what you need to know.

Medical Negligence | Seasickness

Cruises are often associated with relaxation, luxury, and adventure on the high seas. However, amidst the shimmering waters and endless buffets, there lies a potential risk that many passengers may not consider: medical emergencies.

While cruise ships typically have medical facilities and staff onboard to handle minor ailments, there have been cases where what began as a minor medical issue escalated due to negligence or misdiagnosis, resulting in serious consequences for passengers. In this blog post, we’ll explore the implications of medical negligence on cruise ships and how passengers can pursue compensation for injuries or damages incurred.

Understanding Seasickness

Seasickness is a common affliction experienced by many cruise ship passengers. It typically manifests as nausea, dizziness, and vomiting, often triggered by the motion of the ship. While seasickness is usually temporary and not life-threatening, it can be debilitating for some individuals, impacting their ability to enjoy the cruise experience.

Cases of Negligence and Misdiagnosis

In some unfortunate instances, what starts as a case of seasickness can escalate into a serious medical emergency due to negligence or misdiagnosis onboard cruise ships. One such case involved a passenger who initially complained of seasickness but was not properly assessed by the ship’s medical staff. As a result, their condition deteriorated rapidly , leading to complications that required emergency medical evacuation.

Another common scenario involves passengers with pre-existing medical conditions whose symptoms are misattributed to seasickness. Failure to accurately diagnose and treat these conditions onboard can have severe consequences, potentially exacerbating the underlying health issue and putting the passenger’s life at risk.

Pursuing Compensation for Injuries or Damages

Passengers who have suffered harm due to medical negligence onboard a cruise ship may be entitled to pursue compensation for their injuries or damages. However, navigating the legal complexities of maritime law and holding cruise lines accountable can be challenging without the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Importance of Consulting with a Personal Injury Lawyer

Consulting with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in maritime law is crucial for passengers seeking justice for injuries or damages resulting from medical negligence on cruise ships. These legal experts possess the knowledge and experience necessary to evaluate the circumstances of the case, determine liability, and advocate for the rights of the injured party.

Investigating the Incident

An integral part of pursuing a medical negligence claim on a cruise ship is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. This may involve gathering evidence, obtaining medical records, and interviewing witnesses to establish the cruise line’s liability for the passenger’s injuries or damages.

Legal Recourse for Passengers

Passengers who have been harmed due to medical negligence onboard a cruise ship may pursue various forms of legal recourse, including seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the incident. Additionally, holding the cruise line accountable for their negligence can help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, thus contributing to the safety and well-being of future passengers.

Medical Negligence On Florida Cruise Ships

While cruise ships offer an array of amenities and experiences for passengers to enjoy, it’s essential to recognize the potential risks associated with medical emergencies at sea. When faced with instances of medical negligence onboard a cruise ship, passengers have the right to pursue compensation for injuries or damages incurred.

By consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer and exploring their legal options, passengers can seek justice and hold cruise lines accountable for their actions, ultimately promoting safer travel experiences for all.

About the Author:

Andrew Winston  is the founding partner at the personal injury Law firm, The Winston Law Firm . For over 20 years, he has successfully represented countless people in all personal injury cases, focusing on child injury, legal malpractice, and premises liability. He has been recognized for excellence in representing injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and named one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators . Mr. Winston is  AV Preeminent, Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell for the highest level of professional ethics, enjoys a  10.0 rating by AVVO  as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, and has been selected as a  Florida Top 100 “Super Lawyer”   and Miami Top 100 “Super Lawyer” – an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite,” recognized by Expertise as one of the 20 Best Personal Injury Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale and 20 Best Car Accident Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale .

954-560-4116 South Florida

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The Hidden Dangers: Exploring Cases of Medical Malpractice on Cruise Ships

Written by Charles R. Lipcon Charles R. Lipcon is the firm’s founder and one of the preeminent maritime attorneys in the United States. Mr. Lipcon has been handling maritime lawsuits – including personal injury, wrongful death, sexual assault and rape – for over 40 years. In that time, he and his firm have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for their clients.

Our Respected Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers Will Demand Justice for Victims of Medical Malpractice and Negligence

Our cruise ship accident lawyers at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P. A. have spent more than five decades advocating for the rights of injured cruise ship passengers and crew members. We have recovered more than $300 million for our clients and handled more than 3,000 cases in our careers. We have 8 office locations strategically placed throughout the country so you can fight for the compensation you are owed no matter where you live. Our team consists of 16 experienced personal injury and maritime lawyers, 4 of which have been selected as “Best Lawyers” ® by US News & World Report . Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P. A. have also been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms” ® annually for more than five years. Since opening our doors in 1971, our team has been regularly featured as experts in maritime law, cruise ship injuries, and personal injury cases, with attorney Charles Lipcon shaping the way the U.S. handles these types of lawsuits.

We have successfully handled hundreds of cruise ship medical negligence cases and we have fought tirelessly to help shape the law that applies to cruise ship medical negligence cases. Our decades of advocacy in this precise practice area make us perfectly suited to handle any and all cruise ship medical malpractice claims.

When you become injured or ill aboard a cruise ship caused by the cruise line’s medical provider’s negligence, you have the right to file a medical malpractice claim against the cruise ship. Get help demanding justice for your cruise ship injuries with our team on your side. We have a powerful track record of success and have the utmost confidence that we can help your family obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. Continue reading to learn more about how our cruise ship accident attorneys can help you through your cruise ship medical malpractice case. Contact our team as soon as possible for a free, no-obligation consultation so we can begin fighting for your rights.

What Is Medical Malpractice on Cruise Ships?

It is more common than you think for cruise ship medical malpractice to occur. When passengers or crew members require medical attention while aboard a cruise ship, the medical providers should be capable of providing them with the best care possible. Unfortunately, medical negligence on cruise ships continues to be a substantial cause for concern.

Cruise ship medical malpractice issues most frequently occur when providers fail to uphold the medical standard of care. In some instances, passengers and crew members suffer life-threatening or even fatal injuries. Your cruise ship medical malpractice lawyers at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. can help you figure out whether you have grounds for a claim and take the necessary steps to make sure the at-fault parties are held accountable for their negligence.

Meeting the Elements of Negligence in Your Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Case

The elements of negligence must be met for your cruise ship medical malpractice claim to be successful. These elements include:

• The medical provider owed a duty of care to the crew member or a cruise ship passenger.
• The medical provider breached their duty of care by failing to uphold the medical standard of care.
• The medical provider’s actions were the cause or substantial contributing cause of the victim’s injuries or damages.
• A Crewmember or passenger suffered injuries or death.

Filing a Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Negligent medical treatment on cruises is far more common than you might think. Fortunately, our team is well-equipped to handle all cruise ship legal cases, including medical malpractice incidents at sea. Our team will carefully evaluate the circumstances of your case to determine what legal options are available to you. If your cruise ship had a medical facility aboard, which virtually all cruise lines do, you may have the opportunity to file a claim against the cruise line and its medical staff.

Cruise lines can often be held accountable for the actions of their medical providers and other crewmembers when their negligent actions are the cause of passenger injuries or damages.

When Cruise Ships Can Be Responsible for Medical Malpractice

Cruise ships are often held accountable for the damages of victims who suffer medical emergencies on cruises. If cruise lines advertise medical services for passengers, they are more likely to be held accountable for cruise ship medical accidents. Cruise ships are most often held accountable when they hire medical staff providing passengers and crew members with medical treatment and care.

They can also be sued if they fail to provide their healthcare team with the medical equipment or tools they need to properly care for passengers. Cruise ship passenger rights are taken seriously by our maritime injury attorneys. We will do everything possible to identify cruise ship negligence so you can access the financial compensation you are owed.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice On Cruise Ships

Medical malpractice aboard cruise ships can take various forms. Some of the most prevalent types of medical mistakes and errors include:

• Misdiagnosis
• Delayed diagnoses
• Failure to provide the right medical treatment
• Failure to provide medical care quickly
• Failure to carefully monitor patients
• Discouraging passengers from obtaining treatment
• Refusing to treat passengers
• Failing to timely disembark the passenger to obtain proper shoreside treatment

Common Accidents and Incidents Requiring a Cruise Ship Medical Provider

Most cruise passengers will not require medical attention. However, there are certain accidents and incidents that may require treatment from an experienced medical provider:

Cruise Ship Activity Accidents

One of the draws of a cruise is the ability to participate in a wide variety of activities. Unfortunately, participation in these activities can go from enjoyable to dangerous, quickly.

Slip and Falls

Slip and fall accidents aboard cruise ships may be one of the most common reasons passengers and crew members seek medical treatment. Slips and falls can be caused by slippery floors, debris on dance floors or walkways, spilled beverages, and more.

Food Poisoning

Another top reason passengers book cruises is because of the delicious food options. However, when the cruise line fails to store or prepare food properly, passengers and crew members can develop food poisoning and other related foodborne illnesses.

Sexual Assault, Rape, and Assault

Physical and sexual assault happens aboard cruise ships more often than you might think. Cruise lines have an obligation to protect their passengers to every reasonable extent possible. If you are raped, sexually assaulted, or physically assaulted, you may not only require medical treatment and care but have the right to sue the cruise line for negligence.

These are just a few of the most common reasons you may require medical care when you are traveling on a cruise. Medical negligence on a ship can take all forms. We have successfully handled all types of cruise ship medical negligence, including failure to diagnose a stroke or heart attack and failure to properly treat injuries such as fractures.  No matter what type of accident or incident you are involved in, you should be able to rely on cruise ship medical providers to treat your condition and give you high-quality medical care. When they fail to uphold this obligation, it can cause debilitating and life-threatening injuries, illness, or even death. Make sure you have a reputable cruise ship accident attorney by your side who can help you demand justice.

Challenges Your Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Claim May Face

There are several potential challenges your cruise ship medical malpractice claim may face. Fortunately, when you have our attorneys working for you, you can rest easier knowing we are more than equipped to handle it. Some of the most common types of challenges that occur in cruise ship medical malpractice lawsuits include:

• Medical staff being from foreign countries
• Jurisdiction issues
• Questions surrounding vicarious liability
• Unique maritime laws that apply to cruise ship medical negligence cases

Our Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Attorneys Will Fight for the Total Financial Compensation You Deserve

Our cruise ship accident lawyers at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P. A. are the nation’s leading litigation attorneys in maritime law and cruise ship medical malpractice claims. In total, 4 of our attorneys have been selected as “Best Lawyers” ® in America, and the firm has been selected as one of the country’s “Best Law Firms” ® by US News & World Report every year since 2016. We are proud to advocate for our client’s rights and make sure injury victims have the legal support they need to get through some of the most difficult times in their lives.

If you or someone you love was seriously injured or killed due to medical malpractice aboard a cruise ship, our team is ready to help you maximize your financial compensation. Contact our team now or call us at 877–233–1238 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a respected and knowledgeable cruise ship accident attorney at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P. A.

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Published on September 11, 2023

Categories: Medical Malpractice

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If I’m Injured in a Cruise Accident, Who Is Responsible?

What are the cruise ship maritime laws and filing restrictions for filing a law suit against a cruise company, how does maritime law affect cruise ship injuries, what safety measures is a cruise ship common carrier responsible for providing me, what information do i need to file a cruise ship accident lawsuit, where do i file a personal injury claim against a cruise line, determining negligence in a cruise ship accident lawsuit, how long do i have to file a cruise ship accident lawsuit.

Personal injury accidents can occur anytime, anywhere – including while on vacation. A serious injury might be the last thing you expect to happen during a Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Celebrity cruise; but it is an unfortunate reality for many people every year. From disembark to final port, each and every cruise line has an obligation to help its passengers avoid serious injury or harm.

Bloomberg Legal reports personal injury cases against cruise lines continued in an upward trend since 2016 and that, “personal injury cases against the three biggest cruise lines – Carnival, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings – accounted for 78 to 87 percent of all federal litigation they faced over the last five years, according to the data which it collected.”

Common Causes of Cruise Ship Injuries

• Ship collisions
• Technical problems
• Passengers falling overboard
• Assaults by crew members
• Food poisoning
• Wet deck slip and fall incidents

These acts of negligence can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, concussions, and internal organ damage. In the event of injury or wrongful death, here’s how to bring a claim against Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or Celebrity Cruise Lines.  For more information about hiring a lawyer you can read our  Miami cruise ship accident lawyer  page.

First, it is important to clarify that when you purchase a ticket and board a cruise ship, you automatically accept the cruise line’s contract. You can typically find this contract in the fine print on the bottom of your ticket. By making your purchase and boarding the ship, you legally consent to the terms of the cruise line. This liability waiver can bar injured parties from pursuing certain claims against Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Celebrity Cruise Lines. It can also list important claim information, such as your deadlines for filing.

The contract will state something along the lines of,

“Celebrity Cruise Lines is not liable for any personal injury, illness, or death unless negligent.”

It’s important to know that the contract does not protect the cruise line from every personal injury claim – only those the carrier or cruise line employees hadn’t caused or contributed to. If you believe the cruise line or one of its employees is guilty of negligence or intent to harm, your case will circumvent the stipulations of the ticket purchase. Otherwise, Carnival, or whichever cruise line you traveled with, would be free to cause harm or conduct business negligently without fear of legal repercussions.

For example, if the injury was entirely your fault or due to your own carelessness, you will not have a case. Injuries you cannot sue for:

• If you drank too much alcohol and tripped down the stairs or into a pole
• If you were fooling around in an area blocked off to guests with proper signage
• Did not follow proper instructions and fell

What type of cruise injury can you sue for?

• Torn carpeting caused a fall
• Loose handrail caused a tumble down the stairs
• Malfunctioning elevators that lead to suffering
• Proper signage was not used to alert guests to avoid an area or use caution

In this case, you might have a premises liability lawsuit against the carrier for failing to properly maintain the cruise ship.

A cruise line lawsuit may also have a foundation in the legal theory of negligence. For instance, this might be the case if the ship’s cook failed to properly refrigerate fish, leading to an outbreak of food poisoning. When in doubt about whether you have grounds to file a claim, speak to an experienced cruise ship accident attorney .

A cruise ship owes its passengers a duty of safe transportation and protection from harm during all cruise-related activities and excursions. Passengers who are injured aboard ship may file suit against:

• The owner of the cruise ship
• The company that chartered the cruise ship
• The company that operated the cruise ship
• Or, the Company that sold the ticket as an agent of the cruise ship owner, charterer, or operator.

Although, each of these claims may be subject to cruise ship laws that affect where and when the passenger may file suit. A cruise ship attorney with maritime law experience can assist you in determining this.

Bringing a lawsuit against a cruise line for onboard injuries requires a different process than different from personal injury claims on land. Cruise ship injuries involve elements of maritime law , a distinct body of law that governs offenses and activities on water vessels . There are also different filing deadlines and liability concerns you must take into account.

Maritime laws require plaintiffs to prove fault. A common carrier owes the highest degree of care to its passengers. However, unlike typical strict liability cases, passengers must prove negligence or intent to harm in order to bring a claim against a carrier. This involves having evidence of the cruise line’s failure to exercise due care, resulting in injury.

As a common carrier, or a vessel that carries passengers for money, cruise ships must obey certain common carrier laws. These laws and  rules include  providing:

• Adequate fire protection
• Competent crewmembers
• Safe and sanitary food services
• Firefighting and lifesaving equipment
• Stable watercraft
• Safe navigation, including turbulence protocol
• Vessel control
• Environmental protection
• Protection from physical harm
• Safe arrival at the destination
• Protection from crewmember assaults
• Reasonable search and rescue for missing passengers

Passengers who sustain injuries due to negligence or intent to harm may be able to recover compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, lost time at work, and other damages. However, claims against Celebrity Cruise Lines follow different rules than typical claims.

At the time of your accident and shortly after, gather as much information as you can about what happened, such as:

• Statements from people who witnessed your incident
• Names of cruise ship staff members on the scene
• Photographs of anything relevant to your claim.
• Any other relevant details that may be helpful in your case

If you must go to the onboard hospital for immediate treatment for your injuries, have a friend or family member gather information for you. It’s important to record details of your incident while they are still fresh in your mind.

You must file your lawsuit at the cruise line’s headquarters. Despite being highly inconvenient for passengers who live out of state or even in a different country, cruise ship liability waivers state that injured passengers must file claims in the state of the company’s headquarters.

Filing a claim against a large cruise ship company like Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Line, or Carnival Cruise Line requires a firm understanding of these rules and many others. It is often in an injured passenger’s best interest to work with an attorney for these personal injury cases. A Cruise ship accident attorney can investigate your accident, help you determine the defendant(s), and gather any evidence relevant to your case.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line its headquarters and legal team in the Port of Miami – just a few blocks away from the United States District Courthouse where injured parties must file all claims [if headquarters are in Miami]. If you are not from Miami, this can create traveling issues for you during litigation. Entrusting your case to Miami personal injury attorneys can give you an in-state advocate, and a connection to your case from far away. The team at SteinLaw can file a passenger or employee injury claim on your behalf, and keep you updated about your case when you are in your home state.

The most important factor in your case against a cruise line is your ability to prove negligence. This hinges on the court ruling that a “reasonably careful ship operator” would have done something different in the same situation – such as knowing about a faulty staircase railing and taking steps to repair the issue. Although it’s impossible for a cruise line company to foresee all dangerous conditions, RCCL has a duty to reasonably prevent harm to passengers.

If you experienced an injury on a cruise ship, or while under their care or supervision, it is advisable to contact your lawyer well before this statute expires.

Although the one-year statute of limitations requires action within 365 days for compensation, it’s recommended to report what happened as soon as possible. For example, with Carnival Cruise Lines, cruisers can receive a full refund (in some instances) within 24 hours of departure.

In the infamous Carnival Triumph disaster of 2013, a Carnival cruise ship caught fire, leading to a power outage that left passengers stranded in the Gulf of Mexico with no electricity or working toilets for days. Injuries were mostly emotional and mental on this occasion. Carnival changed its policies thereafter in an attempt to appease future passengers. Today, cruisers can receive a full refund if they are dissatisfied with their experience – but only if they register their complaints within 24 hours of departure.

Report your accident and injuries to the cruise line as soon as possible, not only to receive a refund but also to have documented proof that the incident happened and that you reported it to authorities in a timely manner. Keep a record of whom you speak to, what he/she said to you, and how the cruise line responded to your incident and injuries.

Florida Attorney Brandon Stein provides personalized and aggressive representation to injured cruise ship passengers. Each client is treated with great respect and compassion. Attorney Stein is known as a plaintiff’s rights attorney because he fights for the client’s personal rights and especially for their rights to compensation. To schedule your free cruise injury case review with SteinLaw , contact Attorney Brandon Stein at 877-783-4652.

Brandon Stein

Chief Executive Officer

Brandon Stein is a Florida based trial attorney born in Queens, New York, and was raised in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Being the son of an accountant that owns a large firm in New Jersey, owning and operating a business is something that was engrained within Brandon Stein from a very young age... [READ BIO]

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Cruise Ship Medical Negligence Lawyers

Every year, millions of people take vacations aboard cruise ships, expecting to have a relaxing and fun-filled time. However, any vacation can become an accident or personal injury, and cruise ships are not immune to such happenings. With Miami being a home base for numerous cruise lines, many vacationers and tourists from Miami and elsewhere want to take a cruise to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, or Mexico. The cruise ship is responsible for protecting each passenger’s safety – their health and well-being. Unfortunately, a serious cruise ship injury can sometimes spoil the vacation experience. Both workers and passengers on board a cruise ship are vulnerable to any number of dangers while they are docked at port or out at sea.

Cruise lines must have qualified medical crews on board to keep passengers safe. Unfortunately, there are circumstances in which the medical treatment these staff members provide does not meet the required standards, and an individual’s medical condition can worsen. Cruise ship negligence is often to blame for medical crew errors. Still, because most of these individuals are independent contractors, it can be difficult to know who is accountable for medical crew negligence. Any physician should be held liable for committing an act of negligence that causes injury to a person to whom he or she owes a duty of care. Medical crewmembers aboard a ship are no exception to this and should be held accountable.

If you suffer an injury aboard a cruise ship and there are further complications due to your negligent medical care, it can be a traumatic experience and may lead to long-lasting problems. You could face physical pain, unaffordable medical bills, lost work wages, financial stress, and even major lifestyle changes. The cruise ship medical negligence lawyers at Louis A. Vucci, P.A. believe that you do not need to be financially responsible for an injury caused by cruise ship medical crew negligence. We have successfully handled cruise ship injury cases through the years and can help you. Contact our office today at (786) 375-0344 to learn more about how our skilled legal team can assist you.

Do I Need a Cruise Ship Medical Negligence Attorney?

If you have been injured aboard a cruise ship, you may have many questions about your initial accident or injury and your subsequent medical care received on your cruise ship. You may ask whether the cruise ship is responsible for the costs associated with your further complications. You may also worry that you will be out of work indefinitely and that you will have high medical bills. It is also unlikely that you can get the fair compensation that you deserve without a lawyer to represent you.

Cruise ship medical crew negligence cases can be complicated, so getting compensated for these types of cases can be challenging. Obtaining the services of our cruise ship medical negligence firm can help you build a stronger case and potentially maximize your recovery.

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Why Choose Louis A. Vucci, P.A.?

Look no further if you need a skilled legal team with experience with cruise ship medical crew negligence. While many other law firms may claim they can handle the nuances and difficulties posed by cruise ship medical crew negligence, we have the record of success to back up that claim. Although you have a selection of other firms in the area, how do you know that they will be dedicated to fighting for you? Our team strives to earn our client’s trust by communicating openly and honestly throughout the legal process.

Our cruise ship medical malpractice firm has the experience you need on your side if the actions of the medical crew harmed you. We take our job very seriously and we genuinely want to help you. We understand that our clients have already been through a traumatic experience with their illness or injury, and they don’t deserve to have been treated by an incompetent medical crew that caused them further distress. The Louis A. Vucci, P.A. team shows compassion and empathy towards our clients, treating them with the respect they deserve.

With our knowledgeable cruise ship attorneys as your advocates, we are ready to fight to protect your best interests. Louis A. Vucci, P.A. believes that victims should not suffer further pain due to the medical team’s negligence aboard the cruise ship. Complete our email form, chat live, or call our offices today at (786) 375-0344 . You will not owe us anything unless we win your case, and our consultation is completely free.

Medical Negligence Cases We Handle

At Louis A. Vucci, P.A., our cruise ship medical negligence lawyers are prepared to handle passenger injuries, whether you are docked at port or out at sea. There are numerous ways in which a cruise ship’s medical crew may be credibly accused of dangerous negligence and liable for passenger injuries. Medical errors aboard cruise ships can include:

• Failure to diagnose – A timely diagnosis is crucial when an injury occurs on a cruise ship. If a medical crew fails to diagnose an injury, an improperly treated accident victim may suffer even more pain and expense from his or her injury. All cruise ships should have medical crews comprising competent health professionals who can make timely diagnoses for vacationers aboard cruise ships. Some of the more common illnesses and injuries left undiagnosed include infections, heart attacks, pneumonia, broken bones , and appendicitis.
• Wrong diagnosis – When seeking medical care on a cruise ship trip, you are expected to receive a proper diagnosis. Yet, medical crews can incorrectly diagnose patients and cause even more serious damage to patients than they initially experienced. In addition to physical recovery, wrong diagnosis victims often must contend with expensive medical bills and the cost of lost wages. Any incorrect diagnosis by a cruise ship medical staff member can result in many unwanted consequences. Some of the dangers of a wrong diagnosis include delayed treatment, wrong medication, improper treatment, prolonged illness or injury, or a longer recovery process.
• Lack of informed consent – Passengers injured on a cruise ship must be treated with the same medical standards as if they were in a hospital. Injured and sick cruise ship passengers sometimes cannot express their consent to medical decisions. Patients need to be able to fully understand a medical decision or procedure before they are provided treatment. If not, the patient can end up worse off than they were from their initial injury or illness. Informed consent must include the nature of the procedure or medical decision, any alternative forms of treatment, risks and benefits of the treatment, assessment that the patient fully understands the proposed treatment, and, most importantly, the approval by the patient for the procedure or medication.
• Incorrect medical procedure – Patients have every right to assume that their crew will follow the highest medical standards and provide them with proper care. Even if a licensed medical professional diagnosed an injury aboard a cruise ship, incorrect medical procedures may still occur and this could exacerbate an illness or injury. Some incorrect medical procedures that are problematic for patients are prolonged injury or illness, allergic reactions, or worsening of the original symptoms.
• Failure to treat – An illness or injury aboard a cruise ship can be overwhelming and stressful. It can be difficult to feel comfortable and recover when you are docked at a port or out at sea and away from the usual medical amenities. When cruise ship medical staff recognize your signs and symptoms but disregard them as unworthy of treatment, unfortunate results can occur and may lead to numerous health issues. Treating injuries and illnesses as soon as possible is crucial. Otherwise, serious consequences can result, including but not limited to: prolonged illness or injury, the spread of illness, heart attack, infections, or the failure to check for serious illnesses.

In any of these circumstances, medical crew negligence can have serious consequences for cruise ship passengers, who may suffer further medical complications. To find out who is ultimately responsible for injuries such as these and to take legal action, contact Louis A. Vucci, P.A. today.

Cruise Ship Injury FAQS

The attorneys at Louis A. Vucci, P.A. pride ourselves on our excellent communication with our clients. It’s for this reason that we’re adding some of the most commonly received questions that are related to cruise ship personal injuries:

Every person has the responsibility to treat every other person they encounter with reasonable care. Negligence occurs when a person fails to take this reasonable care. Reasonable care is defined as acting with a degree of caution that a rational person would exercise under the same circumstance. For instance, a physician who fails to follow protocol for a routine surgery that later has complications can be found guilty of negligence.

Medical malpractice applies to reckless or negligent actions on the part of a doctor or medical staff. If they fail to properly diagnose a serious condition or if they do not provide prompt, competent care, they may be held liable for prolonged suffering or additional injuries that their actions caused. We have a network of qualified medical consultants that can weigh in on the actions of the medical team and can verify whether or not the crew acted in a manner that differed from the care that a competent doctor or team would have acted.

Generally, the damages you can receive are related to the severity of your injury and the recklessness of the responsible medical crew or physician. The law realizes that injuries can be extremely costly. That’s why you can recover money for past and future hospital bills, physical therapy, medication, specialized medical treatment, counseling, lost work wages, required lifestyle changes, physical pain, emotional stress, and a variety of other injury-related costs. After an incorrect medical procedure or diagnosis, seeking legal counsel can help you to fully understand your legal and financial options.

Cruise Ship Injury Statistics

Traveling on a cruise ship is one of the most popular vacation activities worldwide. Travel industry figures indicate that more than 20 million people went on a cruise in 2012 alone. More than half of those people(11.5 million) were in the U.S. market. In addition, more and more U.S. citizens are choosing to spend their vacations aboard cruise ships. The United States Coast Guard reports that there are around 200 overnight, ocean-going cruise ships worldwide. The average cruise ship carries about 2,000 passengers and includes a crew of 950 people. The Coast Guard speculates that more than 23,000,000 people will be cruise ship passengers in 2017.

Due to the popularity of this vacation option, chances are that cruise ship traveling will come with its fair share of risks and dangers. Common sense safety measures and reasonable precautions can potentially avoid many cruise ship accidents and incidents. However, when the unavoidable happens, the cruise ship is expected to have a competent medical crew aboard to handle any number of illnesses, injuries, or accidents. If the medical crew fails to diagnose, makes a misdiagnosis, or fails to treat properly, numerous complications can result.

Since injuries on cruise ships can be extremely dangerous because they are out at sea or in a port far away from home, many cruise lines employ a fully equipped and trained medical staff. Yet, the medical crew may not properly diagnose, may fail to treat properly, or may perform an incorrect medical procedure, causing you more distress, pain, or injury. Any passenger that is injured or becomes further ill due to medical crew negligence or recklessness while on a cruise ship trip deserves compensation for their injuries.

According to one study from International Maritime Health , 663 injuries occurred on a single cruise ship over the course of three years. Most of the victims suffered their injuries while aboard the ship, primarily in their cabins. Falls caused a staggering 44.8% of these injuries. In addition, cruise ship passengers can also be subject to severe illness due to improper sanitation and poor food quality. In any case, a cruise ship medical crew needs to be fully equipped and capable of handling any type of injuries, accidents, or illnesses so that the safety of each passenger is assured and protected.

Contact a Medical Negligence Attorney Today

At Louis A. Vucci, P.A. we’ve spent our careers helping people just like you who were hurt on a cruise ship. It takes knowledgeable and skilled attorneys to review each cruise ship injury case thoroughly so that we can fight to help you recover the compensation you are rightfully owed from the cruise line. Our firm understands that your situation may seem overwhelming; however, it is not something you have to go through without help.

Our compassionate legal team dedicates itself to achieving maximum compensation in these types of personal injury cases. At Louis A. Vucci, P.A. our office works on a contingency basis – meaning that we only get paid if we recover on your behalf. If we don’t secure you compensation, we don’t get paid!

Call us at (786) 375-0344 to schedule a free consultation. Complete our email form , chat live, or call us – we are here for you to fight for your rights and interests and get you the compensation that you deserve!

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Types of Claims

There are many things for which a passenger may make a claim, some of which include:

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Louis is down-to-earth and will go out of his way to help you

I was injured on a cruise ship – I slipped and fell and injured my shoulder. I was not sure about the process and needed help. I had no idea about the difficulty in dealing with a cruise line. My attorney, Louis Vucci, handled my claim from beginning to end and guided me throughout. He […]

Firstly, I want to say a massive thank you to everybody at the Vucci Office! In particular – Karl, Millie and Raul . I was visiting from England and they couldn’t have made me feel more welcome; They worked perfectly as a team to make me feel assured and made a hard time much easier. […]

I broke my C4 vertebrae after suffering a fall on a Flow Rider excursion sold by Carnival Cruise Line. I was very fortunate to have Louis Vucci represent me in my personal injury lawsuit. Louis was extremely professional, knowledgeable and tenacious. He did an excellent job of asserting my claim against all responsible parties (including […]

Denise Grosdanof

My son broke his arm while participating in the onboard child care program. I approached other lawyers who turned down my case. I was about to give up and I decided to try one last time. I found Louis and I could not be happier that I did. Not only did he sympathize with my […]

Andrew Somer

I worked with Louis and The Vucci Law Group from an incident I had aboard a cruise ship. Louis was very candid, honest and sympathetic to my situation. He was thorough and worked on my behalf with the cruise line, insurance and medical companies. He kept me fully updated and informed every step of the […]

I had to have hip repair surgery because of a slip and fall on a cruise ship. Louis was very kind and professional. This was my first experience working with an attorney. He never tired of all my questions and answered truthfully and respectfully. He honestly understood my concerns and addressed every single one. I […]

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Home » Cruise Ship Accident & Injury Lawyers » Attorney for Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice + Hospital Mistakes

• Attorney for Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice + Hospital Mistakes

If you were injured on a cruise ship, you may have needed emergency treatment for your injuries and health problems. The cruise ship’s medical team might have been ill-equipped to treat you, or perhaps they made the injuries worse. If you were treated at a hospital in another country or received negligent care at a hospital once you got to shore, you could have faced substantial medical costs and suffered substantial pain and suffering because of the negligent care.

The attorneys for cruise ship medical malpractice and hospital mistakes at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. fight to seek compensation for victims of this kind of negligent medical care. If you or a loved one was injured on a cruise and suffered from negligent healthcare and medical attention after the injury, our lawyers may be able to help you seek justice. Call our attorneys today at (305) 204-5369 to discuss setting up a free legal consultation.

Getting Medical Care for Injuries and Medical Emergencies on a Cruise Ship

Cruise ships often have doctors and nurses on staff to help treat medical emergencies on board. Most cruise ship infirmaries are ill-equipped to handle serious emergencies and usually do not have the facilities to handle care beyond treating simple cuts, scrapes, and breaks or dealing with patients suffering from seasickness or food poisoning. In cases of serious injuries or potentially fatal medical emergencies, the cruise ship’s medical staff may need to send the patient back to shore to get care.

This often means spending hours on a helicopter or smaller ship to return to shore – and you may need to wait hours for that medivac helicopter or vessel to arrive. During that time, your condition could degrade and your injuries could get worse. The emergency treatment provided on the ship might be “the best they can do,” but sometimes this care does not even reach that level.

When you get to shore, you may be lucky enough to receive quality care, but if you are sent to a foreign hospital or receive sub-par medical care, you could be left facing additional injuries and complications. In many cases, you could need additional healthcare to correct the results of this negligent care, potentially including additional surgeries or treatments.

By the end of this process, you could be left in a foreign hospital, lingering in pain, and facing severe mental and emotional distress. Once you get home, you could require additional surgeries and recovery, plus rehabilitation and physical therapy, all because of the negligent care you received on and off the ship.

What Constitutes Medical Malpractice on a Cruise Ship?

Medical malpractice occurs when a patient is hurt because a healthcare professional did not act in accordance with the standard of medical care applicable to their area of expertise. Simply put, when determining if medical malpractice occurred, you must investigate whether your doctor acted as they were supposed to.

Not all mistakes made by doctors constitute medical malpractice. Especially because of the limited facilities on a ship, your doctor might have done everything they could, but it might not have been enough.

If you suspect you were hurt because of negligent care you received on a cruise ship, our lawyers for cruise ship medical malpractice and hospital mistakes can help assess the strength of your case.

Examples of Medical Malpractice that Occur on Cruise Ships

There are several forms of medical malpractice that can occur on a cruise ship. Our lawyers for cruise ship medical malpractice and hospital mistakes can help investigate whether your injuries stem from one of the following causes:

Medication Errors

Medication errors are a common type of medical malpractice that occurs on cruise ships. Harmful complications can arise when patients are administered medication incorrectly or are given the wrong prescriptions. For example, physicians should ask patients if they are currently taking any prescription medication before prescribing more. Doctors may commit medical malpractice by prescribing a patient medication that dangerously interacts with one they are already taking. Furthermore, your doctor should ask if you are allergic to any medications before offering a prescription. If your doctor prescribes you a medication to which you are allergic, they may have committed medical malpractice. Our attorneys can help build your case after suffering a medication error on a cruise ship.

Failure to Provide Informed Consent

Medical malpractice can also happen when doctors on cruise ships fail to provide informed consent to their patients. Physicians are required to warn their patients of any inherent risks associated with potential treatments and procedures. Your understanding of these risks if known as your informed consent. If you lack informed consent, you may agree to a potentially harmful treatment or procedure that you otherwise would not have accepted.

There are specific steps healthcare professionals must follow when providing informed consent. The main components of informed consent are the following:

• Your doctor let you know of all risks, benefits, and alternatives for care associated with your treatment or procedure
• You understood your doctor’s disclosure
• You executed a waiver or acknowledgement that you understood the disclosure

If you believe you suffered injuries because your cruise ship doctor failed to provide you with informed consent, you should contact our lawyers for cruise ship medical malpractice and hospital mistakes for help determining the proper course of action.

Misdiagnosis

Another type of medical malpractice that occurs on cruise ships involves misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosis refers to situations where a physician does not accurately identify a patient’s injury or illness. To be considered medical malpractice, a doctor’s misdiagnosis has to cause harm by leading to the administration of improper medical care, delayed treatment, or lack of treatment.

Doctors who ignore the signs and symptoms of patients’ illnesses are often guilty of misdiagnosis. For instance, a doctor who brushes off a patient’s complaints of headaches may be guilty of medical malpractice if it is discovered that the patient had a brain tumor. Our lawyers for cruise ship medical malpractice and hospital mistakes can help obtain compensation for any injuries related to a doctor’s misdiagnosis.

Suing for Medical Negligence and Hospital Mistakes on a Cruise Ship

There are two general routes to suing a cruise ship to get compensation for the negligent medical care or sub-par treatment you received after an injury on a cruise ship. In cases where the initial injury was caused by the cruise ship’s negligence, you might be entitled to have all care costs covered by the cruise ship – including the costs of any negligent healthcare you receive. In other cases where the initial medical emergency was an accident or resulted from natural causes, you may still be able to sue the cruise ship for failing to respond appropriately.

Suing for Medical Malpractice After a Cruise Ship Injury

In cases where the injury occurred because the cruise ship’s staff was negligent or careless, you should be entitled to have all costs resulting from the injury covered in a lawsuit. When you are a passenger on a cruise ship, the ship and its crew have legal duties to keep you safe. A breach of those duties that allows you to be injured can be grounds for you to sue the cruise ship and the company that operates it for damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other foreseeable harms.

In these kinds of cases, the additional damages from negligent healthcare or medical malpractice are considered foreseeable, and the party who was initially responsible for your accident can usually be made to pay these damages. This means that if the cruise ship caused your injuries, they are likely on the hook to pay for any medical expenses that stem from the injury, including negligent care and the additional care necessary to treat the results of medical malpractice.

Suing for Negligent Care at a Cruise Ship Infirmary

If your injuries were caused by a freak accident, or you suffered injuries from “natural causes,” such as a stroke or heart attack, the ship might not be responsible for the initial injuries. However, their doctors are required to provide you with adequate care and their medivac services are required to get you to a hospital promptly. If there were mistakes or errors in this care, the cruise company might be responsible for those errors.

If the ship’s doctors fail to recognize signs of a heart attack and send you back to your cabin or misdiagnose another medical issue, you could quickly suffer additional complications and injuries. A ship’s doctor is still a licensed physician and must follow certain standards in your care and diagnosis, even if they have limited facilities to treat you. Failing to uphold those standards is unacceptable, and the cruise ship should be held responsible for the additional expenses, pain, and suffering this negligence causes you. The same is true if the medivac team causes you unnecessary delays in your care that make your symptoms or problems worse.

Common Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice and Hospital Mistakes on Cruise Ships

There are a wide range of injuries that may occur as the result of medical malpractice and hospital mistakes committed by healthcare professionals on cruise ships. These injuries may cause victims to endure great physical pain, emotional suffering, and financial hardship. Our lawyers for cruise ship medical malpractice and hospital mistakes can help victims pursue monetary damages related to any of the following types of harm:

Infections are a common injury suffered by victims of medical malpractice and hospital mistakes. Sterilization and contamination issues in infirmaries can lead to severe infections. For instance, a patient receiving stitches for a laceration may suffer an infection because a doctor’s tools were not properly sterilized. In severe cases, these types of infections can be fatal.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are also a common injury caused by medical malpractice on cruise ships. These types of injuries can cause serious, painful symptoms. Patients may sustain allergic reactions because physicians did not check for their known allergies before administering harmful prescription medications. Victims can contact our experienced lawyers for cruise ship medical malpractice and hospital mistakes for help building their cases.

Also, many patients on cruise ships are injured because of overdoses caused by medical malpractice. Unfortunately, some patients incur severe injuries because their doctors administered an incorrect dose of medication. If you suffered an overdose because of negligent medical care received on a cruise ship, you should contact our lawyers for help evaluating the legal options available to you.

Types of Damages Awarded to Plaintiffs in Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

There are multiple categories of monetary damages plaintiffs may recover if their medical malpractice cases are successful. The type of damages awarded in your case will likely be dependent on the extent of harm caused by your injuries. Our lawyers for cruise ship medical malpractice and hospital mistakes can help determine which of the following types of damages you may recover:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

Damages awarded for medical expenses, lost income, out-of-pocket expenses, and property damage are all referred to as “economic damages.” That is because these are easily verifiable financial losses.

Damages for pain and suffering, however, are more difficult to quantify. Pain and suffering damages are known as “non-economic” damages and are usually calculated by looking at the overall impact your injuries have had on your life. Complex evidence may be required in order to support a claim for non-economic damages. Accordingly, the assistance of our experienced lawyers for cruise ship medical malpractice and hospital mistakes can be highly valuable when pursuing compensation related to the physical pain and emotional suffering you endured.

Call Our Medical Malpractice and Hospital Mistake Injury Lawyers for Cruise Ship Passengers

Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind represent injury victims on cruise ships and other vessels. Our lawyers work to hold cruise lines accountable for unnecessary injuries to passengers as well as negligent care they face after those injuries. If you or a loved one suffered sub-standard healthcare at a cruise ship infirmary or you were evacuated to shore and received negligent medical care at the hospital, our attorneys may be able to help. For a free legal consultation on your potential case and to learn more about seeking compensation for the medical malpractice you suffered after a cruise ship injury, contact us today at (305) 204-5369.

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A History of Results

Back Injury

Cruise ship crew member from Haiti suffered a cumulative trauma disorder involving his back while performing his duties as a cleaner on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. He then was provided with negligent medical care treatment. The jury found the cruise line accountable. Verdict of 6.3 million.

Cruise Ship Injury (Confidential Settlement)

Confidential Settlement

Seaman Back Injury

Crew Member on tugboat injures back handling heavy lines. Verdict of $3.7 Million.

Cruise Ship Injury

Cabin Steward was struck in the knee by a heavy piece of luggage. Company failed to provide prompt, proper and adequate medical care and treatment resulting in an unsuccessful knee surgery which led to an unnecessary knee replacement surgery.

Crew Member Injury

A crewmember suffers a stroke as a result of the failure to receive proper medical care and attention while onboard for a ship for his high blood pressure. Verdict of $2.7 Million.

Slip & Fall Injury

Crewmember falls into hull of vessel resulting in serious injuries.

Crew Worker crushed when steel plates suddenly fall on him because they were improperly secured. Suffered internal injuries.

Crewmember Injury

Crewmember pulls large suitcase from trolley and suffered injury to his back. Company failed to provide, prompt, proper and adequate medical care and treatment. Verdict of $1,077,650.00.

Seaman Injury

Settlement of Crewmember injured during luggage operations and suffers herniated disc.

Waiter slipped and fell in kitchen due to ongoing problem in the lateral area of spillage of food and water creating a dangerous condition, causing approximately two accidents per week. Company did not provide rubber mats had slippery floors. Plaintiff had cervical and lumbar herniated discs. Verdict of $980,250.00.

Boating Accident (Confidential Settlement)

Workplace Injury

Worker falls while painting on the bridge of ship due to failure to utilize proper safety devices and proper supervision. Settlement of $610,000.00.

Our client, a female, was using stairs on the cruise ship when suddenly her shoe got stuck on a metal strip on the step that allowed the shoe to get stuck , causing her to fall, suffering severe foot injuries, including fractures and development of complex regional pain syndrome. The defense was our client was 100 percent at fault for not exercising reasonable care for her own safety, which defense blamed on having consumed too many alcoholic beverages. However, the cruise line sold our client one of the popular packages the cruise line offers, and profits from, an all you can drink package, including up to 15 alcoholic beverages per day. Although the cruise lines sell these packages , and make money from it, when a passenger suffers injury due to an incident such as a slip and fall, the cruise line is quick to deny blame and blame it on the alcohol consumption the cruise line encourages, provides, and profits from. Our liability expert inspected the steps and determined there was a tripping hazard for passengers that existed and was not fixed prior to the fall. In addition there was evidence of other slip/fall incidents on the steps due to tripping hazards that were not remedied by the cruise line. Just prior to the start of trial a confidential settlement was reached with the cruise lines.

Wrongful Death of a Cruise Ship Crewmember

Our client was a long term crewmember for the cruise line, having worked with the cruise line for over 20 years. One morning he was taken by another crew member to the ship's medical infirmary because he became ill with symptoms suggestive of a stroke. Despite the symptoms, and despite the fact that the cruise ship was not far from the port it had just left (which had major hospitals), the Captain and medical staff made the decision to continue on the scheduled voyage. This delayed the crewmember receiving medical treatment for almost 24 hours. By the time the crewmember received medical care and treatment at a specialized facility, it was too late. The crewmember had developed severe neurological damages, which eventually led to his death.

Our firm hired several medical experts regarding the medical negligence of the ship's medical staff, as well as the negligence of the cruise line, including the captain, and failing to promptly evacuate the crewmember. The case involved discovery into the practices and procedures that cruise lines follow when there is a medical emergency at sea that requires immediate treatment beyond the scope of that which can be provided on the cruise ship. There is a duty to get a passenger crewmember to an appropriate shoreside medical facility as soon as possible when they are suffering a medical emergency that requires specialized treatment beyond the scope of that provided on board the cruise ship. By not taking action or even attempting to contact the Coast Guard for an evacuation, the cruise line argued that it would not have made a difference even if they had attempted to evacuate the passenger crewmember. Ultimately, a confidential settlement was reached with the cruise line.

About Brett Rivkind

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Court opinion paves way for medical negligence claims against cruise ship.

Injuries and illness are common occurrences on cruise ships. If you catch the flu or break a bone, your first stop will likely be the ship’s urgent care facility. Staffed by doctors and nurses, these center’s can help fix what ails you. However, just like medical practitioners on land, these professionals can make mistakes and cause your condition to worsen instead of improve.

On land, when a medical professional makes a mistake as the result of negligence, the patient can pursue financial compensation through a medical malpractice claim against the doctor and even the facility he works for. The rules have been different for medical staff on a cruise ship, though. In the past, it was nearly impossible to hold a cruise ship company accountable for medical malpractice by its staff, but a recent court ruling may change that.

In a 63-page opinion from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, Judge Stanley Marcus found that maritime law supports the right of a patient to hold the cruise line accountable for medical negligence.

The opinion stems from a claim filed by the daughter of an elderly cruise ship passenger. The passenger, Pasquale Vaglio, fell during his voyage on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship the Explorer of the Seas. The ship was docked in Bermuda at the time of the incident.

Mr. Vaglio sought treatment with the ship’s medical staff, but fell into a coma and later died. His daughter, Patricia Franza, filed a wrongful death claim against Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit claims that his death was the result of the ship’s medical staff failing to diagnose cranial trauma in a timely manner.

The lawsuit was initially dismissed by Judge Joan A. Leonard in accordance with a long-standing maritime law concept that essentially grants immunity to ship owners from claims of medical malpractice by their medical staff.

When the case landed in the appellate courts, however, the opinion written by Judge Marcus found that maritime law does support the plaintiff’s right to hold Royal Caribbean accountable for the staff’s actions.

In the opinion, Marcus says that the roots of the immunity concept for owners of vessels “ “snake back into a wholly different world. Instead of 19th-century steamships … we now confront state-of-the-art cruise ships that house thousands of people and operate as floating cities, complete with well-stocked modern infirmaries and urgent care centers. In place of truly independent doctors and nurses, we must now acknowledge that medical professionals routinely work for corporate masters.”

The cruise ship injury attorneys at Maintenance and Cure provide legal assistance to those who are injured or became ill on pleasure cruises, including passengers and crewmembers.

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Cruise Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in 2024 - Things to Know

If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to medical malpractice on a cruise, filing a  cruise medical malpractice lawsuit  is a good option to claim damages. 

Passengers suffering from issues that require medical attention when aboard a cruise ship may encounter a medical malpractice incident. It might be because the medical professional engaged in negligence, or they could have breached their duty of care to the patient.  

For example, a passenger suffers an injury at the hands of a cruise ship doctor. Another instance is when the patient receives treatment or medication that is not needed or applicable. The mistreatment can prove detrimental or even fatal to the passenger in these incidents. Thus, it is important to gather as much evidence as possible to strengthen your case before filing a  cruise medical malpractice lawsuit .

Common injuries that lead to cruise ship medical malpractice

Cruise ship passengers who become ill or injured often have little choice but to rely on the doctors and nurses provided by the medical facility onboard the ship. If your ship is in the middle of the ocean, far from land, getting to a land-based doctor or emergency room is not a viable option. Therefore, passengers expect cruise ships to provide properly trained and qualified medical staff on every cruise. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Cruise ship medical staff may commit medical malpractice in several ways. These include:

• Delayed diagnosis.
• Discouraging or refusing to provide treatment.
• Failure to provide proper and prompt medical care.
• Failure to properly monitor patient conditions.
• Improper medical treatment.
• Misdiagnosis.

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Cruise medical malpractice and the coronavirus pandemic

• Airway management systems.
• Blood pressure monitoring equipment.
• Cardiac EKG monitoring systems.
• IV supplies and pumps.
• Nebulizers.
• Oxygen systems.

Who is liable in a medical malpractice case abroad on a cruise ship?

As a general rule, if the medical staff onboard a cruise ship is acting as employees of the cruise line rather than as independent contractors, the cruise line can be held liable for medical malpractice committed by their staff.

Here are some factors that can help you prove that the cruise ship’s medical staff acted as employees:

• The cruise line advertised its medical facilities or medical care to passengers.
• The cruise line hired and fired the medical staff.
• The medical staff was required to wear the ship’s uniform and report to the ship’s captain.
• The vessel’s doctor was an officer of the ship.
• The medical staff is directly paid by the cruise line.
• The cruise line takes responsibility for stocking and maintaining supplies, equipment, and medications in the medical facility.
• The cruise line bills passengers for medical services provided onboard the ship.

Furthermore, cruise ship passengers who fall victim to medical malpractice may be able to sue the cruise line for hiring an unqualified person to be on staff. Technically, filing a  cruise medical malpractice lawsuit  against the staff members directly may also be possible. However, as most doctors and nurses onboard cruise ships are citizens of foreign countries, the United States Courts may not have jurisdiction over their persons. 

Nevertheless, the concerned cruise line often offers indemnification for negligent shipboard doctors and nurses. Hiring the top lawyers will help you get a fair  settlement for   medical malpractice on a cruise.

The 4 elements of negligence

Any person who makes a medical malpractice claim or files a malpractice lawsuit should prove the following four (4) elements:

When assessing  medical malpractice on a cruise claim , the first thing to check is whether or not the defendant owed the plaintiff a legal duty of care. In some circumstances, the relationship between the plaintiff and defendant might create a duty by operation of law. For example, a doctor owes a patient a legal duty to provide them with competent medical care. Another example is that a person is expected to operate a motor vehicle safely and with a certain level of due care to his passengers as well as third persons.

Breach of duty:

Next, the court will determine whether the defendant breached this duty by doing (or not doing something) that a reasonably prudent person would do under similar circumstances.

Note: the term “reasonably prudent person” refers to a legal standard that represents how the average person would responsibly act in a certain situation.

In other words, the defendant would be found liable for  medical malpractice on cruise ships  if the average person, knowing what the defendant knew at the time, would have known that someone might have been injured as a result of his or her actions and would have acted differently than the defendant did in that situation.

The third element requires that the plaintiff show that the defendant’s negligence or breach of duty caused their injury. For example, the claimant must prove that the condition she developed after receiving treatment from the cruise ship doctor was because she was given a medicine that she was not supposed to take. 

Another aspect of this element looks at whether the defendant could reasonably have foreseen that his or her actions might cause an injury. For instance, if the defendant’s actions somehow caused the plaintiff injury through a random, unexpected act of nature, the injury would most likely be deemed unforeseeable, and the defendant would not likely be found liable.

This element is quite complex. Therefore, you would need qualified maritime lawyers to help you prove causation to get maximum compensation for your injury.

The final element of a negligence case is damage. In essence, this means that the breach of duty or negligence should have resulted in an injury or damage to the claimant. It will then be the basis of the computation for monetary compensation. This includes coverage for medical care or property repair.

Why choose Ethen Ostroff Law?

Cruise injury claims are complicated due to jurisdictional issues and other legal questions. Therefore, to help establish and prove a cruise medical malpractice lawsuit , the injured party needs the support and assistance of an experienced maritime lawyer.

Our team at Ethen Ostroff Law works closely with clients to prove all elements of negligence and gather sufficient evidence for settlement negotiations. To ensure you get maximum compensation, we will provide you with the best references of skilled  lawyers of   medical malpractice on the cruise . Our contacts have extensive experience investigating and litigating these types of cases both nationally and internationally.

Call us at 610-510-8883  or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation .

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HARMED BY MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE WHILE ON A CRUISE?

International cruise ship injury lawyers represent medical malpractice claims.

The attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson have a reputation for taking on large, complex cases that many other firms do not have the time, resources and staff to handle. As a result, our attorneys have obtained some of the largest verdicts and settlements in Florida and the nation. We have represented claims involving injury and  wrongful death  throughout the U.S. and South America as well as cases in Africa and Europe. This includes devastating aviation accidents and  cruise ship injuries . Cruise lines have a responsibility to provide safe accommodations and services for passengers and staff alike. This responsibility extends to providing competent medical care, especially since those aboard have no access to hospitals on land for most of the trip. However, poor hiring practices potentially combined with lack of training and supervision can result in medical negligence , causing further injuries to those seeking treatment during a trip. Cruise lines may attempt to deny responsibility by claiming that doctors and nurses are independent contractors. Our cruise ship injury lawyers have had success in challenging these kinds of denials. We can assist you in holding the cruise line and any other liable party accountable for your injuries or a loved one’s wrongful death due to medical malpractice.

OUR RECOGNIZED LAWYERS’ EXPERIENCE WITH INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE CASES

Our cruise injury attorneys have a history of success representing victims of medical malpractice on commercial cruises. In one case, our client was a 31-year-old chef working aboard a ship for Celebrity Cruises. During one trip, he began experiencing severe headaches and facial pain. Rather than treating him onboard the vessel or returning him to the U.S., officials at the cruise line instead flew him to a hospital in Santo Domingo. There, he underwent emergency surgery during which doctors implanted a pacemaker. After this procedure, our client continued to experience severe pain, forcing him to use a walker.

Partner  Deborah J. Gander  represented this case and filed a lawsuit against the cruise line. They argued that the company ordered an unnecessary surgical procedure and sent our client to Santo Domingo for treatment in an effort to save money. After a trial, the  jury awarded our client $1 million  for his injuries and damages. Even though our client’s surgery did not take place aboard the cruise ship, the cruise line was still ultimately responsible for his medical injuries.

WHO IS LIABLE FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ABOARD A CRUISE SHIP?

Medical negligence on a cruise ship or any vessel can potentially cause a fatal injury or condition, especially as other hospitals are typically inaccessible. Additionally, filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim for this kind of medical malpractice can be difficult. It is not always clear what court has jurisdiction and who is liable for the damages. Generally, the potential liable parties include:

• The cruise line . Often, cruise ship companies try to deny responsibility when an injury or death results from medical malpractice on their vessels. They claim that the doctors and nurses are independent contractors, not employees. They also sometimes argue that the standard of care aboard a ship is much lower than in a regular hospital. However, recent court rulings have made it possible to hold cruise lines accountable for medical negligence.
• The negligent doctor or other medical professional . In some cases, it may be possible to hold the cruise line’s doctor or other medical worker directly responsible for medical malpractice. However, unlike most doctors, those aboard cruise ships may not have malpractice insurance. They also may have few personal assets and may not live in the U.S. Therefore, this is often not an option for medical negligence victims and their families. Still, you should consult with experienced cruise injury attorneys who can find all possible avenues for compensation on your behalf.

DID YOU CONTRACT COVID FROM A CRUISE LINE?

The coronavirus pandemic impacted the cruise line industry in a major way. Outside of China, the first major outbreaks of COVID-19 were on board cruise ships. However, even knowing of the increased risks to passengers, cruise line owners and operators continued operating like nothing was different. Cruise lines made a choice to put profit over people. Evidence has emerged that cruise line operators knew that there was a major risk of their passengers contracting COVID-19. They even continued to operate cruise ships after known COVID-19 patients had disembarked, and new passengers had boarded.

It would make sense that cruise line owners and operators would ensure that they had every bit of medical equipment necessary to properly treat patients. Cruise ships are supposed to provide adequate medical care for patients. For COVID-19 patients, the following equipment is absolutely vital:

• Cardiac EKG monitoring systems
• IV supplies and pumps
• Blood pressure monitoring equipment
• Airway management systems
• Oxygen systems

When the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifts the “no-sail” order for cruise lines operating in US waters, it is absolutely essential that cruise ship owners and operators do everything they can to ensure all passengers are safe on board. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, cruise lines must have all necessary medical equipment on board to handle emergencies that may arise.

Unfortunately, there are likely to be cases of medical negligence related to future COVID-19 illnesses onboard cruise lines. The team at Colson Hicks Eidson is going to closely monitor this situation and will be ready to help any victims of cruiseship medical negligence.

HURT BY MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE ON A CRUISE? CONTACT OUR LAW FIRM TODAY

If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to medical malpractice on a cruise, then contact our attorneys right away. Cruise injury claims are generally complex due to jurisdictional issues and other legal questions.

However, our lawyers have experience investigating and litigating these types of cases both nationally and internationally. In the past, our cruise ship injury lawyers have obtained many multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in international cases. In particular, we have a reputation for success in claims involving negligent cruise lines.

Call  305-476-7400  or  contact us online  to schedule a free initial consultation.

[email protected]

Colson hicks eidson, 255 alhambra circle penthouse coral gables, fl 33134, 305 476 7400, subscribe to our newsletter, colson.com | 2023 colson hicks eidson.

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Do You Have a Claim for Medical Malpractice Onboard a Cruise Ship?

• Do You Have A Claim For Medical Malpractice Onboard A Cruise Ship

If you get sick or injured while on a cruise, in most cases your only option is to seek treatment onboard. Large cruise ships have a medical facility (commonly called an “infirmary”) onboard, and smaller cruises will typically have a doctor onboard who is available to provide first aid and basic emergency care as needed.

Let’s say you seek treatment onboard a cruise ship, and let’s say your doctor makes a mistake. If this happens do you have a claim for medical malpractice? If so, will recovering financial compensation involve suing the cruise line? Or will you need to pursue another source of financial recovery?

These are all complicated legal questions—although instances of medical malpractice will be fairly obvious in some cases. If you have questions about suing for medical malpractice onboard a cruise ship , here is an overview of what you need to know:

What Constitutes Medical Malpractice Onboard a Cruise Ship?

Medical malpractice can take many different forms. However, not all mistakes in the medical setting rise to the level of actionable malpractice. In order for a medical mistake to constitute medical malpractice, it must represent a deviation from the appropriate “standard of care.”

While the appropriate standard of care can vary between medical settings (i.e., doctors may have more room for error in an ER as opposed to during scheduled office visits), doctors generally have a duty to prove the level of care that their colleagues would provide under similar circumstances. So, for example, if you received a misdiagnosis and the majority of doctors would have diagnosed your condition correctly, you may have a medical malpractice claim.

Taking this into account, some of the most common forms of medical malpractice on cruise ships include:

• Diagnostic Errors –  Common diagnostic errors include both misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose. While failures to diagnose can leave cruise passengers without the treatment they need, misdiagnoses can result in passengers receiving unnecessary (and potentially dangerous) treatment for medical conditions they do not have.
• Medication Errors – Medication errors can include administering the wrong medication, overdosing and underdosing. Additionally, prescribing medications that cause adverse reactions or that should not be taken with passengers’ other medications is also a common problem since cruise ship doctors typically won’t have access to passengers’ medical records.
• Treatment Errors – Along with medication errors, other types of treatment errors are also common. These include improper wound treatment, failure to adequately immobilize and failure to prevent infections, among others.
• Failure to Treat – Failure to treat is also a common form of medical malpractice onboard cruise ships. This typically results from one of two main factors—either (i) the ship is not equipped with the medical equipment or supplies needed to provide treatment for a particular illness or injury, or (ii) the ship’s doctor lacks knowledge about the appropriate treatment modality for a passenger’s condition.
• Failure to Monitor – Failure to monitor is a common form of medical malpractice onboard cruise ships as well. Once a doctor provides treatment, the doctor must continue to monitor the patient’s condition as necessary to ensure that the patient remains on track for a full and timely recovery.

These are just examples. There are many other forms of medical malpractice, all of which can potentially occur on cruise ships. If you have any concerns about the medical care you or a loved one received while on a cruise, you should seek a second opinion and consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Are Cruise Lines Liable for Medical Malpractice Onboard?

Cruise lines can be held liable for medical malpractice onboard in most cases. There is one significant exception—when the doctor onboard is an independent contractor—which we discuss below. But, generally speaking, if you sought medical treatment onboard a ship operated by a major cruise line, the cruise line will most likely be liable for your doctor’s malpractice.

As a general rule, employers are liable for their employees’ negligence within the scope of their employment. In the case of a cruise ship doctor, this includes the doctor’s medical malpractice onboard. When determining whether a doctor is a cruise line’s employee for liability purposes, courts consider various factors, including:

• Whether the cruise line posts advertisements about the availability of medical services onboard
• Whether the cruise line directly hires and fires the ship’s medical staff
• Whether the doctor is also an officer of the ship
• Whether the cruise line is responsible for equipping and stocking the ship’s onboard medical facilities
• Whether the cruise line bills passengers directly for medical services provided onboard

As a passenger, you don’t need to have all of this information. When you hire a lawyer, your lawyer will conduct an investigation, and if your lawyer has sued the cruise line in the past , he or she may already have much of the information needed. The key is to consult with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible—and to avoid letting the cruise line talk you out of seeking the help you need.

What If the Doctor is an Independent Contractor?

If the onboard doctor is not an employee of the cruise line, then he or she is most likely an independent contractor. This is more common on smaller cruise ships, where there is no onboard infirmary.

In cases involving ship doctors who are independent contractors, passengers who suffer negative outcomes due to medical malpractice have two potential options. Minimally, they should be able to file a claim against the doctor (who should have medical malpractice insurance). But, if the cruise line was negligent in selecting the doctor it placed onboard, then the cruise line could still be liable as well.

Find Out if You Have a Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Claim

If you need to know more about pursuing a medical malpractice claim for care you or a loved one received onboard a cruise ship, we encourage you to contact us promptly for more information. For a free, no-obligation consultation, call 800-499-0551 or tell us how we can reach you online now.

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Free Consultation 800-295-3959

Cruise Ship Medical Malpractice Claims

The Appellate Court had to decide whether a passenger could invoke the principles of actual agency or apparent agency to impute to a cruise line liability for the medical negligence of its onboard nurse and doctor. The Appellate Court ruled that actual agency and apparent agency were viable theories available to the plaintiff in this case. The Appellate Court stated: “We have repeatedly emphasized that vicarious liability raises fact-bound questions, and we can discern no sound reason in law to carve out a special exemption for all acts of onboard medical negligence.”

The Underlying Facts

On July 23, 2011, a passenger, along with his wife and family, were aboard the “Explorer of the Seas” cruise ship owned and operated by Royal Caribbean that had sailed to Bermuda. When in port in Bermuda, the passenger fell while boarding a trolley at or near the dock, thereby suffering a severe blow to his head. The passenger was allegedly required to go to the ship’s medical center to be seen for his injuries and was taken in a wheelchair to the ship’s infirmary.

A nurse allegedly employed by Royal Caribbean evaluated the passenger and observed a lump and an abrasion on his head. The nurse did not administer or recommend any diagnostic scans and advised the passenger and his wife that he was fine to return to his cabin, but cautioned the man’s wife to keep an eye on her husband’s condition because he might have a concussion.

An hour and a half after returning to his cabin, the man’s son and daughter-in-law noted a deterioration in the man’s condition. The daughter-in-law called the ship’s emergency number but it took twenty minutes for someone to arrive to transport the man by wheelchair back to the infirmary. Once he arrived at the infirmary, medical staff refused to examine him until the ship’s personnel could obtain his credit card information.

Nearly four hours after his first visit to the ship’s infirmary, the man was evaluated by the ship’s physician, who was an employee of Royal Caribbean. The physician had the man transferred to King Edward Memorial Hospital in Bermuda; the man arrived at the hospital two and a half hours after being evaluated by the onboard physician, by which time his life could not be saved. He was airlifted the following day to Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, New York, where he was in the intensive care unit until he died one week later.

The Cruise Ship Malpractice Claim

A lawsuit was filed against Royal Caribbean only, under 28 U.S.C. § 1333 and the general maritime laws of the United States, alleging various negligent actions by Royal Caribbean’s onboard medical personnel. The trial court dismissed the plaintiff’s claims pursuant to the Barbetta rule.

The Appellate Court held that it was obliged to exercise its broad discretion in admiralty and maritime to develop law in this area of the law. Under general maritime law, a shipowner traditionally has owed no duty to practice medicine or to carry a physician on board. Therefore, the shipowner is only liable to its passengers for medical negligence if its conduct breaches the carrier’s more general duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances.

The plaintiff did not argue that Royal Caribbean violated its duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances but rather sought to hold Royal Caribbean vicariously liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior because the ship’s medical employees allegedly failed to treat her father with appropriate care. The Appellate Court held that it would be manifestly just to hold principals responsible for the conduct they command from their employees (“We can see nothing inherent in onboard medical negligence, when committed by full-time employees acting within the course and scope of their employment, that justifies suspending the accepted principles of agency”).

The Appellate Court stated that absent any statutory mandate to the contrary, the existence of an agency relationship is a question of fact under general maritime law. The Appellate Court held that the plaintiff’s complaint unambiguously alleges an agency relationship between the employer, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., and its full-time employees, the onboard nurse and physician, and nothing in the complaint suggests that these medical professionals somehow acted outside the scope and course of their employment or that the requisite control was missing. Thus, applying the standard principles of agency, it held that the plaintiff’s complaint sets out a plausible basis for imputing to Royal Caribbean the allegedly negligent conduct of its onboard medical employees.

The Appellate Court held that it did not find that the arguments set forth in Barbetta justify its broad grant of immunity from vicarious liability in all claims of medical malpractice. The Appellate Court stated that it was obliged to follow its own maritime precedent, which demands fact-intensive treatment of agency questions: “We cannot accept a legal principle that would erect a categorical exception from this settled practice, and we see no reason to follow an outdated rule that serves no useful purpose in modern maritime law. Thus, we hold that [the plaintiff’s] allegations established a plausible agency relationship between the employer, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Ltd., and its employees, [the nurse and the physician onboard], and that the district court improvidently granted the Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss.”

The Appellate Court also concluded that a passenger may sue a shipowner for medical negligence if he can properly plead and prove detrimental, justifiable reliance on the apparent agency of a ship’s medical staff-member (respondeat superior derives from a principal’s right to control the conduct of its agents – liability under apparent agency flows from equitable concerns when a principal’s conduct could equitably prevent it from denying the existence of an agency relationship). Under apparent agency, three elements must be satisfied: a representation by the principal to the plaintiff, which causes the plaintiff reasonably to believe that the alleged agent is authorized to act for the principal’s benefit, and which induces the plaintiff’s detrimental, justifiable reliance upon the appearance of agency.

Lastly, the Appellate Court held that in order to plead negligence in a maritime case, a plaintiff must allege that (1) the defendant had a duty to protect the plaintiff from a particular injury; (2) the defendant breached that duty; (3) the breach actually and proximately caused the plaintiff’s injury; and (4) the plaintiff suffered actual harm. In the case it was deciding, the Appellate Court stated that the precise contours of Royal Caribbean’s duty depend on questions of fact that need not and cannot be answered at the pleading stage; the plaintiff’s specific allegations sufficed.

Source   Patricia Franza, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Pasquale F. Vaglio, Plaintiff – Appellant versus Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., a Liberian corporation, Defendant – Appellee . No. 13-13067.

If you or a family member may have a claim of medical negligence against a cruise line, you should promptly consult with a maritime medical malpractice lawyer who may investigate your cruise ship medical malpractice claim for you and represent you in a claim of medical malpractice against a cruise line, if appropriate.

Click here to complete and submit a secure form  from our website or call us toll-free at 800-295-3959 to find a cruise ship medical malpractice lawyer who may assist you.

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Medical Malpractice On Cruise Lines

• March 31, 2015

Last fall, the Eleventh Circuit finally overturned  100 years of legal precedent in Franza v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd .   The United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals (the last stop before the US Supreme Court) refused to follow a case out of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals named Barbetta v. S/S Bermuda Star .   The Barbetta Rule, as it has since been called, precluded cruise lines from being held vicariously liable for the medical malpractice of their ships’ doctors and nurses.  Franza did not overrule Barbetta.  This is because the cases are in different circuits.  The US Supreme Court would have to decide on this case if appealed in order to make Franza controlling in all circuits throughout the country.

Most of the major cruise lines require all lawsuits to be filed in the Southern District Court in Miami (Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Silversea, Crystal Cruises, and Carnival).  This District Court has for years struck down claims against cruise lines for malpractice based on negligent supervision, inadequate training, having insufficient numbers of medical personnel, not providing medical equipment, and failing to promulgate and enforce medical standards.  All this has now changed under Franza.

So, how was the court in Franza able to distinguish and strike down the Barbetta Rule?  The maritime attorneys representing the deceased plaintiff thoughtfully crafted an argument using agency principles.  While the Barbetta Rule created an exemption for shipboard malpractice claims, the Eleventh Circuit concluded in Franza that:

The rule confers this broad immunity no matter how clear the shipowner’s control over its medical staff or how egregious the claimed acts of negligence….  We have repeatedly emphasized that vicarious liability raises fact-bound questions, and we can discern no sound reason in law to carve out a special exemption for all acts of onboard medical negligence.  Much has changed in the quarter-century since Barbetta .  As we see it, the evolution of legal norms, the rise of a complex cruise industry, and the progression of modern technology have erased whatever utility the Barbetta rule once may have had.

The Barbetta decision dealt mostly with respondeat superior, a Latin legal term meaning “let the superior make answer.”  It holds an employer liable for the employee’s wrongful acts committed within the scope of the employment or agency.  The attorneys in Franza attempted to use other vicarious liability theories like an apparent agency.  In order to prove apparent agency, the attorneys had to show that the cruise line’s representations gave rise to the reasonable belief that the doctor was its agent, followed by the passenger’s detrimental reliance on that representation.  In the past, it was relatively easy to prove that ship doctors were represented to be agents of the cruise line (they were oftentimes labeled as ship officers).  However, the cruise lines have routinely used the cruise ticket to disclaim any medical negligence by these doctors and staff as well as making these doctors and staff independent contractors. The ticket expressly states that the cruise line is not responsible for the medical negligence of their medical staff.  The cruise lines used this information to say that the passenger’s reliance was unreasonable.

Germaine to any claim for vicarious liability is the level of control the employer (cruise line) has over the employee (medical staff).  The court in Franza only held that it was possible for a passenger to state a claim for vicarious liability.  A claimant must still prove control.  The Franza Court considered the following factors as significant in allegations against the cruise line:

• Advertised the existence of the medical center to its passengers;
• Retained the right to both hire and fire medical staff;
• Required the nurses and doctors to wear ship’s uniforms and serve under the ship’s officers;
• Paid salaries to the medical staff;
• Stocked the hospital with all supplies, medicines, and equipment; and
• Billed for medical services on the passenger’s shipboard charge card.

The cruise industry has adopted industry standards for medical care while onboard their ships.  These were set out in the American College of Emergency Physician’s (ACEP) 1995 Health Care Guidelines for Cruise Ship Medical Facilities .  These guidelines require medical staff on cruise lines to set minimum credentialing, training requirements, development of a “medical operations manual,” and criteria for medications and equipment the ship must carry.

When Barbetta was decided, the cruise industry was not technologically as sophisticated as it is today.  Barbetta famously held that “ships are not floating hospitals.”  This is simply not the case anymore, and the Franza Court saw right through that argument.  Cruise ships today are floating cities.  They are able to communicate to onshore medical departments instantaneously. Most lines also have contracts with large shore-based hospitals to provide medical guidance.

Time will tell if Franza will succeed at the trial court level.  No doubt the cruise industry has taken notice and, at this very minute, is likely seeking out ways to change its procedures so that the medical negligence of their staff cannot be imputed to them.

If you have been injured on a cruise ship and have suffered due to the medical negligence of the staff, call today for a free consultation.  The LaBovick Law Group has a team of attorneys that focus their practice on maritime law.  Because most suits against the big cruise lines must be filed in Miami, our firm handles claims from clients living all over the country.  The cruise industry is a multi-billion dollar business with the resources to fight each and every claim tooth and nail.  We know how to battle these giant corporations to get the results our clients deserve.  Be careful, the law on land is different from that on the water.  Suits against the cruise industry have a statute of limitations of one year, and often require a notice of claim to be filed within six months.  Choosing an attorney who knows maritime law will get you the best result for your case.  The attorneys at the LaBovick Law Group are well versed in maritime law.

_______________________________________________________

UPDATED 9/21/2015

Sorrels v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd.

In early August, the Eleventh Circuit came out with yet another extremely important case impacting maritime law.  The case is called Sorrels v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. , Nos. 13-15858, 14-14467, WL 4619887 (11 th Cir. Aug. 4, 2015).  This case involved a slip and fall of a passenger while onboard a Norwegian Sky Cruise.  The Distict Court in this matter ruled that the coefficient of friction (COF) testing done by the plaintiff’s expert , Dr. Zollo, was not based on reliable methods.  This was due to the fact that Dr. Zollo tested an area of the pool deck that was not traveled by the plaintiff and the testing was done nearly a year and a half after the incident.  The District Court also found that Dr. Zollo’s opinion that the ATSM standard of 0.6 was the minimum acceptable COF for the deck only applied to crew members and not to fare-paying passengers. This standard did “not govern cruise-ship passenger decks” because it only discussed general safety standards for “workers aboard ships and did not address the appropriate standards for passenger areas on cruise ships.”  D.E. 93 at 11.

Dr. Zollo relied on ASTM F1166-07 for his opinion of the industry COF standard.  The 11 th Circuit Court of Appeals held that “evidence of custom within a particular industry, group, or organization is admissible as bearing on the standard of care in determining negligence.”  Muncie Aviation Corp. v. Party Doll Fleet, Inc. , 519 F.2d 1178, 1180 (5th Cir. 1975).  ASTM F1166-07 “provides ergonomic design criteria from a human-machine perspective for the design and construction of maritime vessels and structures.”  ASTM F1166-07 at § 1.1.  More specifically, ASTM F1166-07 states that “walkways, passageways, decks and all other walking surfaces shall have a nonskid surface sufficient to provide a coefficient of friction of 0.6 or higher measured when the surface is wet.”  Id at § 11.12.1.2.

Finally the Eleventh Circuit got it right.  They realized that on cruise ships there are numerous areas traversed by both crew members and passengers, including pool decks.  The Eleventh also threw out the District Court’s argument that the testing done nearly a year and a half later of an area not traversed by the plaintiff was not “substantially similar.”  The Eleventh properly held that delay in viewing or inspecting the place where an accident took place normally goes to weight and not to admissibility.

The Sorrels ruling should now make it much harder for the courts to Daubert a liability expert and then grant summary judgment for lack of evidence.  This case also confirms that the standard COF for the cruise line is 0.6 for both passengers and crew alike.

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Miami Medical Negligence on a Cruise Law Firm: Navigating Legal Waters

Table of Contents

Explore the difficulties of Miami Medical Negligence on a Cruise Law Firm. Discover your rights, seek justice, and discover what to anticipate in cruise ship medical malpractice cases.

Introduction

Miami Medical Negligence on a Cruise Law Firm, with its promise of adventure on the open sea and leisurely days under the sun, has long been a beloved choice for vacationers. However, beneath the glossy brochures and sparkling blue waters, a hidden concern lurks—the possibility of encountering medical negligence while on a cruise. In this comprehensive guide, we will embark on a journey through the complex realm of Miami medical negligence on a cruise law firm. We’ll explore the rights of passengers, the legal intricacies, and what to expect when pursuing justice in the case of cruise ship medical malpractice.

What is Medical Negligence on a Cruise?

Medical negligence on a cruise refers to situations where passengers experience substandard medical care provided by healthcare professionals on a cruise ship, resulting in harm, injury, or illness. While cruises are designed to offer a safe and enjoyable vacation experience, they are not exempt from medical emergencies.

How to Prove Medical Negligence on a Cruise

Proving clinical negligence on a cruise ship includes assembly of particular prison standards and imparting evidence that helps your declaration. To set up a case of scientific negligence, you need to show that the medical care supplied onboard the cruise ship falls under the well-known standards of care. This approach demonstrates that the healthcare experts failed to provide the level of care that an inexpensive individual in a similar situation would count on. To manual you through the technique, here’s a desk outlining key steps in proving scientific negligence on a cruise.

What to Do If You Have Been a Victim of Medical Negligence on a Cruise

If you’ve been a victim of medical negligence while on a cruise, taking immediate and well-informed steps is crucial. Here’s a guide to help you navigate this challenging situation effectively:

Hiring a Miami Medical Negligence Lawyer

When it comes to navigating the complicated criminal waters of clinical negligence on a cruise in Miami, hiring a skilled Miami Medical Negligence on a Cruise Law Firm is paramount. These specialized attorneys own the information and expertise needed to guide you through the complexities of maritime regulation and cruise ship instances. They can offer valuable insights, ensure that your rights are blanketed, and assist you in pursuing a robust criminal case. Don’t underestimate the importance of criminal representation whilst looking for justice for medical negligence on a cruise; it may make all of the distinction in the final results of your case.

What to Expect in a Miami Medical Negligence Lawsuit

In a Miami Medical Negligence Lawsuit, it’s essential to understand the legal process and what to anticipate. The following table provides an overview of the key elements to expect in such a lawsuit:

Tips for Getting the Compensation You Deserve

In a Miami Medical Negligence on a Cruise Law Firm, securing the compensation you deserve involves strategic and informed actions. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate this complex process effectively:

Legal Grounds for Claims

If you believe you’ve encountered medical negligence on a cruise, understanding the legal grounds for your claim is vital.

• Maritime Law : Maritime law governs cruise ship mishaps, including medical negligence cases.
• The Athens Convention : This international treaty specifies the responsibility limits for cruise lines in case of accidents or injuries.
• Cruise Line Responsibility : Cruise lines can be held liable for their medical staff’s activities.
• Cruise Ticket Contracts : Review the terms and conditions of your cruise ticket, since they may affect your legal rights.

An amazing post to read about Can I Sue the Jail for Medical Negligence

FAQs about Miami Medical Negligence on a Cruise Law Firm

Can you sue for medical negligence in florida.

Yes, you may sue for scientific negligence in Florida, along with cases that occur on cruise ships. If you believe you’ve been a sufferer of clinical negligence, it is important to consult with an attorney who has a specialty in clinical malpractice to understand your criminal options.

Can I sue my attorney for negligence in Florida?

Yes, you could sue your attorney for negligence in Florida in case you believe they’ve breached their duty of care, main to damage or financial losses. Legal malpractice instances in Florida can be complex, so consulting with an experienced attorney is useful.

How do I sue a cruise line?

To sue a cruise line for incidents like medical negligence, you’ll normally want to observe the legal procedures mentioned in your cruise price ticket agreement. This might also contain notifying the cruise line of the incident and accumulating proof, after which pursuing a lawsuit through an appropriate jurisdiction, regularly in which the cruise line is founded.

Can I sue Royal Caribbean?

Yes, you may sue Royal Caribbean if you accept as true that you have a legitimate declaration, which includes clinical negligence. Keep in mind that each case is specific, and the unique occasions will determine the success of your lawsuit. Consulting with a lawyer experienced in maritime law and cruise ship cases can guide you in such situations.

Miami Medical Negligence on a Cruise Law Firm issues are complex, requiring a profound understanding of maritime law and the cruise business. If you’ve suffered from medical malpractice while on a cruise, remember that you have rights. Seek emergency medical attention, document the incident, and engage a skilled attorney to help you navigate these legal waters. Cruise lines must be held accountable for their negligence, ensuring the safety and well-being of all guests.

Jasper Bruxner is a passionate and versatile blogger with a keen eye for trends and a knack for crafting engaging content. As the founder of WendyWaldman.com , he has established himself as a trusted resource in a diverse range of niches, including food, tech, health, travel, business, lifestyle, and news. He tends to share the latest tech news, trends, and updates with the community built around Wendywaldman. His expertise and engaging writing style have attracted a loyal following, making him a respected voice in the online community.

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Cruises see a fair amount of overboard incidents: Are ships equipped?

Mental health crises can happen anywhere. But what happens if you're stuck in the middle of the ocean?

Between 2009 and 2019, there were 212 overboard incidents – when a guest or crew member goes over the edge of a ship – according to  statistics compiled for Cruise Lines International Association  by consulting firm G.P. Wild (International) Limited. "In discussions with cruise line representatives, they indicated that in every case where the cause of the (overboard) was established following a careful investigation it was found to be the result of an intentional or reckless act," the report said, noting that motives could not be determined in some cases.

There were also numerous reports of suspected suicides among crew trapped at sea during the COVID-19 pandemic. And while cruise lines have protocols and services in place to support to guests and crew members, some experts say they are lacking.

Cruise ships feature a range of amenities, from roller coasters and go-kart tracks to spas and dining, but passengers may not always know where to find mental health resources on board.

‘It’s really, really, really needed’

Cruise ships may be designed to prioritize fun and relaxation, but not everyone responds the same to that approach.

For some passengers, being around family members or away from their day-to-day routine can be stressful, said Dr. Tia Dole, Chief 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Officer at Vibrant Emotional Health. “But for other people who might have been struggling with their mental health … going on a vacation actually takes you out of your environment, it makes you feel better,” she said.

The widespread presence of alcohol and gambling in onboard casinos may also prove challenging for some travelers, said Dr. Michelle Riba, a clinical professor at the University of Michigan Medical School's Department of Psychiatry and former president of the American Psychiatric Association.

"People have to be self-reflective and talk to their loved ones about how problematic it might be to be on a ship where there's easy access to that," she said.

And when it comes to the kinds of overboard incidents that appear in news reports with some frequency, she said jumping into the water has perhaps been featured prominently in films and TV shows, and cruises may provide another "access point" to impulsive suicides.

Travis Heggie, a professor at Bowling Green State University who studies tourist health and safety issues, said it's difficult to draw concrete comparisons, however, between rates at sea and on land due to a lack of comprehensive statistics. Riba added that it would be hard to compare the two, given varying demographics and other factors.

Still, suicide on cruise ships is a “growing concern” for Heggie, among both guests and crew. He has recommended adding mental health care to cruise ship infirmaries in his research .

“It’s really, really, really needed,” he said.

Dole also emphasized that “the reasons why people die by suicide are as unique as a fingerprint” and said it’s important not to generalize.

"The circumstances that lead up to completed suicide, and the things that sort of push people over the edge are incredibly unique," she said.

Do cruise ships have mental health resources?

If passengers find themselves in need of mental health support during a cruise, some lines do have resources available.

Passengers sailing with Carnival Corp., the parent company of brands including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, can contact onboard medical staff “who are available 24/7 for mental health support and other medical needs,” a spokesperson for the company said in an email.

“With a referral from the shipboard medical team, guests may also access tele-psychiatrist services for face-to-face consultations with these licensed specialists within 24 hours if needed,” the spokesperson added. The consultations are offered through a third-party company that connects passengers with U.S.-based psychiatrists (the company did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment).

While training in mental health care varies among onboard medical staff, they can “fulfill recommendations made by the psychiatrists.” There is a pharmacy on board with many medications used to treat mental health problems, and those not carried on the vessel can be ordered in a port.

Like other medical care, passengers have to pay for any costs associated with mental health services. “Travel insurance coverage varies by provider and typically covers acute-need services but usually includes limitations for pre-existing illnesses,” the spokesperson said. “We urge travelers to contact travel insurance providers directly for specific terms and conditions.”

Crew members can also see psychiatrists via telehealth with a referral from the onboard medical team. The company also has an employee assistance program that allows them to access free mental health services.

Royal Caribbean Group, another major cruise line operator, and Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade group, did not answer questions regarding onboard mental health resources before publishing. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. did not respond to a request for comment.

Cruise ships may also quarantine passengers deemed to be a threat to themselves or others, according to Michael Winkleman, a maritime attorney with Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A.

“Our team of onboard medical professionals safeguards the health and well-being of our guests and crew (including mental health), which may include placing a patient under secure watch in the medical center or in a cabin depending on the risk,” the Carnival Corp. spokesperson said.

While there are major differences – namely, being in the middle of the ocean – Winkleman said there are some commonalities between cruise lines’ approach and that of hotels or resorts, which often do not have on-site mental health providers. “They are just expecting to provide a fun, safe vacation for their guests,” he said.

Crises on cruises, like an overboard incident, for example, may also get outsized attention given their setting, Heggie added. "People are expecting to go and have a good time and have the vacation or holiday mindset, and, 'Oh, something bad happened.' "

However, Winkleman said he thinks cruise lines “could do a lot more” to provide mental health support to crew, many of whom work rigorous schedules on months-long contracts.

How passengers can care for their mental health

Travelers can take proactive steps to care for their mental health before a trip if need be. If passengers have a mental health provider, Dole recommends speaking with them beforehand and making sure they have any medication they might need.

Passengers can also reach out to their therapists mid-cruise to schedule a session as needed – though state laws regarding telehealth vary and could prevent them from accessing care. “But generally speaking, it's really about where the person resides,” Dole said. “So (if) you're on a work trip, and you're like, ‘I need to see my therapist,’ they'll see you.”

Riba noted that it may be more difficult to coordinate than at home with spotty cell service and possible time differences.

The 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline also works in U.S. states as well as territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How safe are cruise stops?: Travel advisories are only one marker for destinations

Checking in with your fellow travelers can also be helpful. Dole said, “One of the biggest clues someone is struggling” is a change in behavior. Typically, that takes the form of withdrawal, but it could also manifest in people engaging in risky or dangerous behaviors.

“‘I noticed something is different,’” she suggested saying. “‘Is there something happening that you feel comfortable talking to me about?’ And that that's not going to make people be defensive as much as, ‘What's wrong? Are you okay? What's happening?’”

Dole recommended framing the question in a way that avoids sounding judgmental or accusatory. “But actually asking the question, especially for young people, can save someone's life,” she said.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call  988  any time day or night, or chat online.   Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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Cruise Ship Medical Negligence

Taking a relaxing cruise may be your dream, but it can quickly become a nightmare if you become sick or hurt while aboard a cruise liner .

As Americans, we are accustomed to listening to our doctors and following their advice, but a doctor on a cruise ship may not be equipped to handle your medical situation . They are likely to send you to a medical facility for treatment, but you may be treated at a hospital in a country that doesn’t have the resources to adequately treat your condition.

Cruise ship doctors want their patients to have a good time on their cruise, so they are often quick to diagnose the patient with seasickness or common cold when their condition is actually much more serious.

An unnecessary prescription is often given, which may do more harm than good. The cruise ship doctor may not even have access to a proper x-ray or other diagnostic equipment to rely on when making a diagnosis , so they have to make the best diagnosis they can with the information they have, which is likely to be incorrect.

Being Transferred

If your medical situation is beyond the scope of the cruise ship’s doctor, they are likely to send you to the hospital as soon as your ship reaches a port.

You will usually be placed at the mercy of doctors and nurses in a hospital where you don’t understand the language and cannot explain your medical situation. Even if you receive proper treatment in a remote country, which is unlikely, your ship will have already moved on and you will have to make arrangements to either meet the ship at another port or take a plane home.

Confused About Your Medical Treatment

If you feel as though the medical treatment you received while on board the ship was inadequate, inaccurate or furthered your sickness and pain, you may have a legal case against the cruise line .

An attorney experienced in dealing with cruise line medical negligence cases can help you understand the potential course of action you should take.

About Waks & Barnett, P.A. Based in Miami, Waks & Barnett attorneys work with clients in Florida, throughout the United States and around the world. The firm’s attorneys practice in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death, with a specialization in admiralty and maritime cases.

PRESSR: Cruise Saudi’s AROYA Cruises appoints VIKAND as healthcare partner for first cruise ship

The 100% PIF-owned company Cruise Saudi has announced that it has appointed VIKAND, the global leader in maritime healthcare, to provide a comprehensive and full-scale medical management solution for AROYA Cruises, the first cruise line to be designed with Arabian preferences at its heart.

The engagement spans from pre-launch support services, biomedical device specification and procurement as well as formulary supply, to ongoing maritime healthcare support through VIKAND’s all-inclusive, proactive medical management services.

AROYA Cruises will provide guests with authentic Arabian experiences that celebrate Saudi’s rich cultural heritage and signature hospitality, while ensuring consistent high safety and quality standards supported by VIKAND. The ship is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment to tailor all amenities to the highest standard in line with the taste of Arabian passengers. With 19 decks and 1,682 elegant cabins, this grand ship will redefine Arabian holidays and will set sail from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2024.

The partnership agreement was formalized with a signing ceremony, during which Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, said, “We are delighted to be collaborating with VIKAND. Our clients expect a premium service, and we were impressed with their experience in delivering proactive health and wellness to guests and crew. It is important that our AROYA Cruises guests feel safe and can turn to trusted medical professionals should they feel unwell during a voyage.”

VIKAND medical management is an all-inclusive, proactive and modular approach to onboard health and wellness inspired by the company’s deeply held values. It begins with a pre-launch analysis of biomedical equipment and onboard facilities to ensure the vessel meets all flag state and American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) requirements. 

VIKAND has deep experience in launching vessels, bringing clarity and control to the process of taking ownership of a cruise ship and preparing it for service. This support extends to the entire onboard healthcare operation, including global medical staffing and integrated supply chain solutions for all formulary and medical supplies. VIKAND provides AROYA Cruises with its full expertise at every step, from launch to operation.

“I am delighted that AROYA Cruises have entrusted VIKAND to help launch their first cruise ship and provide ongoing support for its medical needs,” said Peter Hult, CEO of VIKAND. “We understand that each ship is a delicate ecosystem, and our services integrate seamlessly to protect guests and crew against medical risks, helping to keep everyone onboard safe and healthy. We wish this new venture well and hope to nurture a long-term partnership with AROYA Cruises.”

Phil Page, Elaborate Communications, [email protected] (Commercial, Cruise and Energy)

About VIKAND

VIKAND provides proactive total healthcare solutions for the shipping, cruise, yachting and offshore industries. Crew members and guests alike trust VIKAND to provide expert medical care, telemedicine, risk mitigation, and other valuable health services, and the world’s leading maritime companies rely on us to protect their most important asset at sea – people. 

As a truly integrated partner, VIKAND brings 24/7 hands-on support and best-in-class solutions to each corner of the globe. Our caring and committed teams manage more than 4,100 daily medical encounters across 220 vessels, and each year we support the physical and mental wellness of hundreds of thousands of passengers and crew. 

www.vikand.com  

About AROYA Cruises

AROYA Cruises was first launched in June 2023 as a separate business unit of Cruise Saudi; a 100 percent Public Investment Fund owned business. The premium Cruise Line runs as a separate business unit with an independent operational and management team based in Jeddah. Launched in line with Vision 2023 and Saudi Arabia’s plan to become one of the top global tourism destinations by 2030, AROYA Cruises aims to provide exceptional all-year-round experiences tailored to Saudi and GCC nationals and residents.

www.aroya.com

About Cruise Saudi

Cruise Saudi, a 100% Public Investment Fund-owned business, is a strategic facilitator and a trusted partner to international and local entities, which oversees the development of services and infrastructure, including state-of-the-art cruise terminals, training of ground services, and creation of shore excursions, that will transform the country’s coastlines into a premier global cruise destination. With cruise port facilities in Jeddah, Yanbu and Dammam, Cruise Saudi welcomes cruise lines from around the globe to include Saudi as a port of call on their itineraries and add exciting new destinations that reveal Saudi’s rich cultural heritage, history, and natural wonders.  Operating within the wider context of Saudi’s Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, Cruise Saudi plans to welcome 1.3 million cruise passengers annually by 2035 and support the country’s wider tourism industry.

www.cruisesaudi.com

For more information on Cruise Saudi and AROYA Cruises please contact: [email protected]

© Press Release 2024

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• Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

COST of day trip to Moscow ??

By densol , February 26, 2012 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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We have just booked a cruise to the Baltics for next year. I am trying to find out the average cost for a day trip to Moscow from STP. I have searched several times, and whilst I have read reviews and reports about the trips etc - I cannot actually see any examples of the costs. I imagine its quite expensive - but we want to do it so I need to budget LOL !!

Any ballpark figures ? :D

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We have just booked a cruise to the Baltics for next year. I am trying to find out the average cost for a day trip to Moscow from STP. I have searched several times, and whilst I have read reviews and reports about the trips etc - I cannot actually see any examples of the costs. I imagine its quite expensive - but we want to do it so I need to budget LOL !! Any ballpark figures ? Thanks

We did the Moscow trip through our cruise ship in late July 2008. Its cost was a little under $1000 pp. Now, that cost through this cruise line is a little over that $1000 pp cost. Now, most are using the high-speed rail connection versus the air flights as we did. I have seen some other numbers from other cruise lines and/or private firms that run $700-850.

Why cheaper or the differences? As cruise lines are pressured to keep their "sticker price" low, they need to make up some "margin" with ship tours, beverages, spa stuff, etc., to help cover their costs and gain some profit. Second, different tours provide various features. Our tour included going inside the famed and spectacular Kremlin Palace. Most Moscow tours don't feature that option and you cannot just walk up there and get in on your own. That Palace is where the Czars were crowned and all of the current/recent Russian leaders assumed their powers.

We could have saved a little if we had used a private tour to go to and visit Moscow, but, with my wife's pushing, we felt it was worth it to pay a little more, do it through the cruise line. If there had been any problems or mix-ups, it was the ship's duty to "make it right" and we would not have to worry.

If you have three days in St. Petersburg and/or have been there before, then the Moscow tour can work out very well. It's not cheap, but in my view, worth it!! Both are a few of my visuals from this super great city with such interesting history and dramatic architecture.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik . Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 66,454 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 60,364 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

One of the Kremlin Wall Towers in Moscow:

Walking on the famed Red Square of Moscow:

St. Basil's sits on Red Square and dates back to its 1555-61 construction on the orders of Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV). It commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan and marks the geometric center of the city. This location has been the hub of its growth for Moscow since the 14th century. It was the tallest building in Moscow until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600. This church was near destroyed in the 1930’s when Stalin was in control.:

Here is a small sampling of the Kremlin Royal Treasures of the Czars: Eggs & Jewels insicde the famed Armory.:

Moscow’s subways are called the “People’s Palaces” with their marble coverings and unique designs for each of the different and many stations.:

This is the interior for Moscow's most historic church, Assumption Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Dormition, inside the Kremlin walls. It is the mother church of Muscovite Russia. The church stands on Cathedral Square and was built in 1475–1479 by the Italian architect Aristotele Fioravanti. It was erected on the spot of an older 14th century cathedral of the same name:

We did the day trip to Moscow with Alla-tour and were very pleased with our tour. Our guide whose English was great was a wealth of information and the day went very smoothly. I checked the web site and Alla's prices for 2012 range from $884 a person for two down to $542 a person for 6 with the 5% cruisecritic discount. So if you can get a group together the per person price goes down considerably. You can try to do this on the roll call section of cruisecritic.

We did not go to the Palace and as Terry says this is not included generally in tours. However, we did go to the Diamond Fund, an amazing display of crown jewels and jewelry in the Armoury building but not really part of the Armoury. I would think you could include this if you had a small group and really wanted to see it. It is quite small and does not accommodate a large group. You can google "diamond fund kremlin" to learn more.

Here are some of my pictures

Red Square with St. Basil’s at the far end

Kremlin Cathedral Square

Bolshoi Theatre

Treasures at the Armoury

200 ton Tsar Bell

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

We did the day trip to Moscow with Alla-tour and were very pleased with our tour. Our guide whose English was great was a wealth of information and the day went very smoothly. I checked the web site and Alla's prices for 2012 range from $884 a person for two down to $542 a person for 6 with the 5% cruisecritic discount. So if you can get a group together the per person price goes down considerably. You can try to do this on the roll call section of cruisecritic. We did not go to the Palace and as Terry says this is not included generally in tours. However, we did go to the Diamond Fund, an amazing display of crown jewels and jewelry in the Armoury building but not really part of the Armoury. I would think you could include this if you had a small group and really wanted to see it. It is quite small and does not accommodate a large group. You can google "diamond fund kremlin" to learn more.

Well said, cadreamer! (nice photos, by the way).

We also used Alla. She is just a super person to work with and, if you get a group together, she will accomodate what YOU want to do!! You can check-out her Moscow tour at:

http://www.alla-tour.com/tours/1

As cadreamer suggests, go to your roll call on Cruise Critic & see if you can get a group together.

Terry, your pix, per usual, are awesome! Still envious! :)

Terry, your pix, per usual, are awesome! Still envious! :) jill

Appreciate, Jill, the kind comments! Envy is GOOD!!

Below are a few more visuals on Moscow that are more "interesting". Fascinating to having seen both cities, back-to-back. It really puts all of this unique Russian history and architecture in better perspective.

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik . Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 67,001 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

The famed KGB (Secret Police) Headquarters in Moscow where many entered and did not exit (alive) during the 1950’s and 1960’s:

Kremlin Treasures: Royal coaches:

Young Military Officers on the streets of Moscow with Soviet "High Hat".:

These are the series of smaller domes on the top of the Church of the Deposition of the Robe in the Kremlin Cathedral Square area.:

Inside the newly, more westernized GUM Department Store:

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