Carnival Cruise Line has ordered “mega cruise ships” that will hold about 7,000 passengers each, making them essentially floating cities. Obviously, this means bigger profits for Carnival, as bigger ships will mean more passengers and more ticket sales. But is bigger going to mean better and safer? Probably not. Our team of experienced Miami maritime injury attorneys have handled serious cruise ship injury cases and, in many instances, the focus for the cruise line is to pack as many people on board, regardless of potential safety hazards.
Some maritime experts are getting worried about the security issues associated with putting so many people on a ship at the same time and going for extended voyages at sea. This can pose problems for smaller ports which do not have the infrastructure to handle potentially thousands of people at the same time, especially when it comes to providing emergency services. In fact, mega cruises can practically double a small port’s population in a matter of minutes by dumping an entire “city” full of passengers and creating havoc. In addition, the bigger cruise ships will, by having more number of people on board, increase the danger of outbreak of diseases like the norovirus (which recently occurred on two Royal Caribbean cruise ships in 2015). These mega ships are likely going to be magnets for criminals and thieves looking to steal purses, wallets, and other valuables.
A legislative proposal by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Ed Markey named the Cruise Passenger Protection Act of 2015 (CPPA) will make it mandatory for cruise liners to have built-in state-of-the-art security technologies such as man-overboard detection systems and other relevant security systems. The proposed law would also provide for security measures for passengers who have been victims of crimes at sea. The CPPA is just a proposal at this point working its way through Congress. This means, as of now, the level of security on a cruise ship is dependent upon the discretion of the cruise line.
More On-Board Attractions May Increase Risk of Injury
As cruise ships continue to grow, cruise lines routinely try to “improve” the experience by offering a litany of on-board activities such as swimming pools, rock climbing walls, miniature golfing areas, gymnasiums, and so forth. As these attractions expand, the risk of suffering a serious injury expands. In many instances, passengers have suffered broken bones, torn muscles, or even suffered permanent spinal cord trauma, while participating in these types of activities. If you injury is not treated in a timely and effective fashion on board, the damage and potential permanency of your injuries only grows.
Speak to an Experienced Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one was seriously harmed while on a cruise ship, reach out to the experienced maritime attorneys at Gerson & Schwartz, PA. The firm’s Florida offices are located in the heart of Miami in close proximity to the port of Miami and Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Our attorneys have 80 years of collective experience handling personal injury claims, maritime accidents, and wrongful death cases.