Carnival Sued After Passenger Loses Both Legs in B...

On Could 12, 2025, Hannah Smith’s celebratory cruise onboard Carnival Celebration changed into a battle for her life after a shore tour in Nassau, Bahamas, went very flawed.

Close to the tip of a shore tour to Pearl Island’s Solar Cay Seashore Membership, the current school graduate was sucked into the propellers of the ferry utilized by the tour firm, which resulted in life threatening accidents.

After 25 surgical procedures and dropping each of her legs, the Tennessee resident is pursuing authorized motion in opposition to tour operators Solar Cay and Pearl Funding Administration Group, in addition to Carnival Company.

The lawsuit was originally filed with the US District Courtroom for the Southern District of Florida on December 17, 2025,  however was amended on March 11, 2026. 

Smith’s journey companion and buddy, Brooklyn Pitre, additionally filed her own complementary lawsuit in opposition to Carnival on Could 11, 2026. 

Carnival has in a roundabout way commented on the particular allegations inside the authorized motion, however has wished Smith “energy and therapeutic” based on varied information shops. Cruise Hive additionally reached out to Carnival Company for a press release, however didn’t hear again in time for publication.

Was Alcohol a Issue?

In keeping with the lawsuits filed by each Smith and Pitre, the younger girls have been inspired to drink extreme quantities of alcohol, and that no less than among the drinks have been spiked by tour workers.

The declare particularly states that Smith and her companions have been lured into a personal cabana through the tour and supplied extreme quantities of complimentary high-proof alcohol and marijuana.

Allegedly, the bar tenders additionally carried out “liter pours” with spiked alcohol poured instantly into company’ mouths. Smith’s blood alcohol level reached 0.447, which is properly over the authorized restrict of 0.08% in Florida.

When Smith ultimately had to make use of the restroom, she says that tour employees advised her that “the ocean is your rest room.” 

She was inspired to enter the water whereas extremely intoxicated, the place she subsequently acquired caught within the ferry’s propellers after urinating. This occurred through the disembarkation course of on the finish of the tour after company had been returned to Nassau.

This allegation additionally comes quickly after information broke on April 15, 2026, that one other former visitor won a $300,000 lawsuit in opposition to Carnival Company over harmful alcohol service.

Is Carnival Company to Blame?

Smith’s authorized workforce has accused Carnival of negligence. The lawsuit argues that the cruise line marketed the tour as a protected and vetted expertise for passengers and will bear some duty for the tragic accident that unfolded.

It goes on to say that Carnival ought to have identified the tour was harmful attributable to public evaluations concerning the sketchy ferry circumstances relationship again to 2023 and social media posts about overservice of alcohol through the tour that return to 2018.

Nevertheless, Carnival has made it clear that the cruise firm doesn’t function or take any duty for its shore excursions. It merely sells them as a comfort for its company.

“The entire shore excursions, together with any associated transportation, are operated by native unbiased corporations and they’re solely accountable for their merchandise, excursions and any associated transportation,” Carnival’s website states.

“Carnival just isn’t accountable for any losses, harm, loss of life, accidents or claims in any way arising from, linked with, or associated to any actions engaged in by company whereas off of Carnival’s ships or tenders in any port of name. This contains all shore excursions…” the model continues.

According to Daily Mail, Carnival has requested Florida Choose William Dimitrouleas to throw out the lawsuit as a result of the tour was operated by unbiased Bahamian corporations, not Carnival itself. Nevertheless, this was denied.

Peter Rebmann, managing associate of Pearl Funding Administration Group, additionally tried to get the swimsuit dismissed by arguing that Florida courts within the US don’t have any jurisdiction over a Bahamian enterprise.

The shore tour Smith took, which is named “Sun Cay Beach Club with Lunch,” can also be nonetheless out there for buy on Carnival’s web site as of the time of this writing, although it’s poorly reviewed at solely 2.8 out of 5 stars.