Royal Caribbean Faces Lawsuit Over Hidden Cameras Incident

Royal Caribbean has recently made headlines for several controversial decisions and incidents. The cruise line has banned two popular international ports, Manzanillo and San Juan, and updated its list of prohibited items, which has sparked mixed reactions, particularly regarding the inclusion of baby monitors. However, the most alarming news comes from a class action lawsuit filed against the cruise line following a disturbing incident involving an ex-employee. This lawsuit has raised serious questions about the safety and security measures aboard Royal Caribbean ships.

Alarming Incident on A Symphony Of The Seas

The class action lawsuit stems from a shocking incident that occurred between December 2023 and January 2024 aboard the cruise ship, A Symphony Of The Seas. An ex-employee, Arvin Joseph Mirasol, was found guilty of installing hidden cameras in the rooms of multiple passengers. Reports indicate that he placed at least 12 cameras in various cabins, capturing footage of guests without their knowledge. The recordings were allegedly shared on multiple websites, including the dark web.

The victims of this invasion of privacy included individuals as young as two years old. Mirasol confessed to sneaking into guests’ rooms and hiding under their beds to carry out his illicit activities. He has since been sentenced to 30 years in prison for his actions. The lawsuit accuses Royal Caribbean of failing to provide adequate security measures to prevent such incidents. The complaint highlights the emotional distress experienced by the victims, many of whom are still unaware of how their images may have been used or circulated online.

Spencer Aronfeld, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, expressed concern about the long-term implications of this incident. He stated, “The fact that many of the victims we represent still do not know if and how their images have been used or circulated is incredibly disturbing.” The lawsuit seeks accountability from Royal Caribbean for not doing enough to protect its passengers from such violations.

Royal Caribbean’s Response and Passenger Concerns

In light of the lawsuit, Royal Caribbean issued a brief statement asserting its zero-tolerance policy for unacceptable behavior. The company emphasized its cooperation during the investigation of Mirasol. However, many passengers and observers believe that the cruise line has not done enough to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking a jury trial and punitive damages for the emotional distress and physical pain they have suffered. They argue that Royal Caribbean “knew or should have known sexual assaults were reasonably foreseeable considering the prevalence of sexual assaults aboard.” The lawsuit claims that the cruise line failed to take adequate steps to ensure the safety and security of its guests, including providing proper training and supervision to its staff.

Passengers have expressed their outrage and concern over the lack of preventative measures. Many believe that thousands of other guests may have been affected by Mirasol’s actions without their knowledge. The situation raises critical questions about the effectiveness of security protocols on cruise ships and the responsibilities of cruise lines to protect their passengers.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on whether Royal Caribbean will be held accountable for its alleged negligence in safeguarding the privacy and safety of its guests. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about security practices in the cruise industry and the need for enhanced measures to protect passengers from potential threats.