Investigating Princess Cruise Ship Accidents: A Comparative Analysis of Causes and Outcomes

Top deck of Diamond Princess cruise ship with large LED TV
Image by depositphotos.com

Princess Cruises currently has 17 ships in its fleet, making it one of the largest cruise lines. Headquartered in California, it is owned and operated by Carnival Cruise Lines. Both Carnival and Princess are notorious for maritime accidents involving passengers and crew.



While cruises seem like a safer way to travel, and they offer plenty of ways to relax and have fun on a vacation, there are many hidden threats on board these vessels. Accidents such as fires, slip and falls, and reports of sexual assault are not uncommon.

Common Accidents Aboard Cruise Ships 

Fires

Fires are a rare occurrence, but they do happen occasionally. The most common place where fires occur isn’t the kitchen; rather, the most common starting point is an electrical wiring issue. Engine problems or generator problems may also spark fires.

In 2019, a fire in the engine room on the Royal Princess broke out at the end of a 7-day Alaskan cruise. While no injuries were reported, instances like this must be handled promptly to avoid catastrophe. When fires erupt on cruise ships, passengers may never find out the details because most investigations are conducted in the country where the ship is registered.

Slip and Fall Accidents

The decks on cruise ships can get extremely slippery from the ocean spray. When it rains, the decks become even more prone to slip and fall accidents. A guest who spills their drinks can also cause a potential hazard.

In these instances, it is mandatory that crew members respond promptly to clean up the hazard. They must place a warning sign to show the passengers and other crew members that the deck is slippery and to watch where they step.

Excursions on Land

While the ship brims with endless entertainment and dining options, one of the reasons people venture on cruises is to explore the various ports of call. It would be foolish to embark on a cruise and not discover the places where the ship docks. You may decide to sign up for shore excursions, but guests are sometimes injured during these outings. Princess Cruises must ensure the safety of guests by warning them of the dangers of certain activities and only working with known, reliable entities for these excursions.

Illness

At the start of the pandemic in 2020, the Diamond Princess made headlines because of how the virus spread throughout the ship. It remained off the coast of Japan for two weeks while the ship was quarantined. Granted, not much was known about the virus during this time, but it was a wake-up call to the industry about improving safety measures.

What should you do if you were injured, intentionally harmed, or got sick on a Princess Cruise ship? Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. advise you to consult a maritime lawyer to find out more.

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