Under an agreement with the United States Department of Justice, Miami, Florida-based multinational cruise company Carnival Corp. will be remodeling 3% of its cruise ships’ cabins to make them accessible for disabled passengers.

This change will apply to over 60 cruise ships carrying the Carnival, Holland America, and Princess brands, the Justice Department and Carnival Cruises announced on Thursday, July 23.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, who is also the head of the Justice department’s civil rights division, said that since “cruise ships are floating cities and provide a wide range of facilities and activities subject to the requirements of the ADA such as lodging, dining, entertainment, recreation, and medical facilities”, it is imperative that they provide for the needs of handicapped people.

Our attorneys at Louis A. Vucci P.A., get results for our clients who have been injured in cruise ship accidents. To speak with a member of our legal team, call our offices today at (786) 375-0344.

According to the Associated Press, a federal appeals court has turned down a request to reconsider the decision to allow cruise ship passengers to sue for medical malpractice. 

The 111th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an appeal by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to revisit the ruling; Royal Caribbean still has the option to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In addition, this decision reversed 100 years of precedent that granted immunity to cruise lines from medical negligence litigation. The ruling that was initially made late last year came after a man died from a head injury on a cruise, opening up the door for cruise ship passengers to sue for any injuries they may have wrongly sustained on board.

If you or someone you love has been harmed by the negligent actions of a cruise ship company, please feel free to contact the legal team of Vucci Law Group, P.A. by calling (786) 375-0344.

Japanese-based cruise line Crystal Cruises, a liner which sails two all-inclusive ships, is under new management with the former head of sales and marketing at Miami-based Azamara Club Cruises Edie Bornstein.

Poised to assume a higher-profile role on Wednesday, October 16, Bornstein is set to become the president and chief operating officer of the Los Angeles-based Crystal Cruises after leaving her job post at Azamara Monday, September 30. She will take over the position from Gregg Michel, who resigned Friday, October 4.

Bornstein became part of Royal Caribbean Cruises’ two-ship brand Azamara in 2009. Prior to that, she was vice president of business development and strategic partnerships at Carnival Cruise Lines and also worked for Cunard and Seabourn. She also devoted her time to global travel technology company Amadeus.

At the Louis A. Vucci P.A., our lawyers strive to help any cruise ship passengers who have been mistreated and harmed while on a trip. Call us at (786) 375-0344 if you have gone on a cruise and suffered an injury due to the negligence of the cruise staff or other parties.