Lawsuit Filed Against Royal Caribbean
A passenger is suing Royal Caribbean International and a former crew member after the employee allegedly placed a hidden camera in her cabin bathroom. The class action lawsuit, filed on behalf of the guest—referred to as Jane Doe—and others in similar situations, was submitted to the Southern District of Florida on Tuesday. The former stateroom attendant, Arvin Joseph Mirasol, reportedly captured images of the guest while she was undressed during a cruise on the Symphony of the Seas in February. In August, Mirasol was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for filming guests, including minors, with hidden cameras. He is also facing additional video voyeurism charges in Florida.
Allegations Against Royal Caribbean
The lawsuit claims that Royal Caribbean did not provide adequate security, training, or supervision to prevent such sexual assaults and failed to inform guests about the potential for such crimes. Additionally, the cruise line allegedly did not notify the passengers who occupied cabins serviced by Mirasol between December 1, 2023, and February 26, 2024. The complaint suggests that as many as 960 passengers may be affected. The lawsuit also contends that Royal Caribbean “knew or should have known” that sexual assaults were a foreseeable risk, given the prevalence of such incidents on their ships. The complaint references a previous case on the Harmony of the Seas, where a passenger was arrested for allegedly filming others, including children, in a public bathroom without their consent. In 2023, reports of sexual assault on cruise ships increased to 131, compared to 87 in 2022 and 101 in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that led to a temporary shutdown of the industry.
Claims of Emotional Distress
The complaint claims that Mirasol transmitted or uploaded images of the passenger while she was undressed and engaged in private activities to third parties or the internet, including potentially the dark web, without her knowledge or consent. As a result, the plaintiff has experienced significant emotional distress, leading to physical symptoms like insomnia, pain, and dizziness.
Legal Actions and Company Response
Jason Margulies, an attorney representing the plaintiff from Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., stated, “If a company truly prioritizes the safety of its passengers rather than its own financial interests, it would inform all potential victims about the risks.” He emphasized that it would be the humane course of action. In response, Royal Caribbean stated in an email to USA TODAY, “The safety and privacy of our guests are our top priorities, and we have a zero tolerance policy for such behavior. We reported this incident to law enforcement immediately and terminated the crew member involved. As this matter is currently in litigation, we cannot provide further comments at this time.” The lawsuit is requesting unspecified damages, which may include punitive damages, and is calling for a jury trial.
