Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against Royal Caribbean
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Royal Caribbean International and former cabin steward Arvin Joseph Mirasol. Twelve passengers allege Mirasol placed hidden cameras in stateroom bathrooms on the Symphony of the Seas, secretly recording passengers from December 2023 to February 2024.
The lawsuit accuses Royal Caribbean of:
- Negligence in screening and supervising staff
- Failing to inform affected guests about the incidents
The plaintiffs seek financial compensation and punitive damages.
Mirasol’s actions were discovered when a passenger found a camera under a bathroom sink. He was subsequently arrested and sentenced to 30 years in prison. The lawsuit claims up to 960 guests could have potentially been recorded during this period.
Royal Caribbean has not commented on the ongoing litigation.
The scope of Mirasol’s unauthorized recordings is significant, with up to 20 staterooms potentially compromised per journey over several months. This violation of privacy affects adults and children alike.
Attorney Spencer Aronfeld, representing the affected passengers, notes the ongoing distress caused by uncertainty about how any recorded images may have been used or shared online. Victims may experience:
- Anxiety
- Sleep loss
- Heightened sense of vulnerability
The lawsuit highlights the need for increased vigilance in the cruise industry regarding passenger privacy and safety.
Royal Caribbean’s Response and Legal Implications
Royal Caribbean has not commented on the lawsuit specifics, adhering to their policy of silence on ongoing legal matters. The accusations of negligence center on whether the company adequately protected guests from foreseeable harm and properly alerted them to safety lapses.
"The safety and privacy of our guests is our highest priority, and we have zero tolerance for this behavior. We immediately reported this case to law enforcement and terminated the crew member."
The plaintiffs argue that by not informing guests of possible privacy invasions, Royal Caribbean may have been motivated by financial considerations related to their contractual terms limiting the window for legal recourse.
The lawsuit demands a jury trial and financial restitution. The outcome could influence industry standards across cruise lines, potentially leading to:
- More stringent background checks
- Improved training protocols
- Changes in communication practices regarding passenger safety and privacy
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1. United States Attorney's Office of the Southern District of Florida. Press Release: Former Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Employee Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography. August 28, 2024.
2. Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. October 22, 2024.
3. U.S. Department of Transportation. Cruise Line Incident Reports. 2023 Annual Report.
4. USA Today. Sexual assault allegations on cruise ships rise in 2023. January 15, 2025.
5. Aronfeld Trial Lawyers. Press Release: Lawsuit Filed Against Royal Caribbean for Hidden Camera Incidents. March 7, 2025.