MIAMI – An attorney for a passenger on a cruise ship that was battered by a major storm in the Atlantic Ocean has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Royal Caribbean.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday by attorney Michael Winkleman in federal court in Miami, claims that Royal Caribbean “knew or should have known” of warnings for hurricane-force winds in the Atlantic before Anthem of the Seas set sail Feb. 6 from New Jersey.
The ship’s 4,500 passengers were forced to stay in their rooms as the ship encountered 30-foot waves off North Carolina the next day. The propulsion system was damaged, and the Miami-based cruise line canceled the seven-day cruise, returning to New Jersey.
Passengers received refunds and certificates for half off future cruises.
The lawsuit said Royal Caribbean’s actions “were intentional or reckless” and subjected passengers “to a reasonable fear of death.” The lawsuit seeks a jury trial.
Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez said via email that the company doesn’t comment on pending litigation.
By Peter Burke via Local10.com.
