A Carnival Elation passenger has filed suit against Carnival Corporation in federal court after a bench she was seated on collapsed without warning during a Nassau shore excursion. Karolrae Knight had booked the “Swimming with the Pigs” express tour through Carnival when, approximately ten minutes into the boat transfer, the bench gave way beneath her. She was thrown to the floor and came close to going overboard.
Medical staff aboard the Carnival Elation diagnosed Knight with a fractured tailbone. Subsequent treatment on land revealed additional spinal injuries, including a bulging disc and tears at the L4-L5 and S1 levels. She filed suit on March 20, 2026, seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, lost vacation costs, and pain and suffering.
Her legal team argues that Carnival was not transparent about the tour being operated by a third-party independent contractor, and that the cruise line should bear responsibility because it marketed, sold, and profited from the excursion. Carnival’s position, stated on its website, is that all shore excursions are operated by independent providers and that the cruise line accepts no responsibility for incidents occurring off the ship. The tour remains available for purchase and retains a 4.4-star rating on Carnival’s website.
This case reflects a recurring tension in cruise ship litigation. Under maritime law, cruise lines owe passengers a duty of reasonable care under the circumstances — and courts have recognized that when a cruise line actively markets and sells an excursion, questions of notice and responsibility do not automatically disappear simply because a third party operates the tour. Passengers are often surprised to learn that the fine print in their ticket contracts, combined with the strict deadlines that apply to maritime claims, make early legal consultation essential.
Contact Waks & Barnett, P.A.
The attorneys at Waks & Barnett, P.A. have represented injured cruise ship passengers, crew members, and the families of those lost at sea for more than 35 years. Based in Miami, we handle maritime injury and wrongful death claims exclusively in the courts where these cases are litigated. We represent passengers and crew members only — never cruise lines.
If you or a loved one has been injured or lost aboard a cruise ship or during a shore excursion, the deadlines to act are short — and evidence can disappear quickly. Contact our office today.
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The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique and should be evaluated by an experienced cruise ship accident or maritime injury attorney.