Princess Cruises Sexual Assault Lawyer — National Representation for Sexual Assault and Rape Victims
By Alex Perkins, Founding Attorney, Perkins Law Offices — representing sexual assault and rape victims nationwide against Princess Cruise Lines and its parent, Carnival Corporation & plc.
If you were sexually assaulted or raped aboard a Princess Cruises vessel, or during a shore excursion sold through Princess, you may have a legal claim against the company for damages arising from that assault. Federal maritime law governs these claims, and it treats sexual assault by a crew member differently than it treats a slip and fall or a stomach virus. Establishing that a crime occurred, and that the responsible corporate entity answers for it, is the work of this practice.
Princess Cruises Is Part of Carnival Corporation — And That Matters for Your Claim
Princess Cruises is not an independent company. It operates through Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd., which sits inside the Carnival Corporation & plc family alongside Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Cunard, and Seabourn. Carnival Corporation maintains its principal U.S. operations in Doral, within Miami-Dade County, and is registered to do business in Florida. This corporate structure is not a technicality. It determines which entity or entities must be named as a defendant, which insurance and risk-management practices apply, and, in cases involving a documented pattern of prior incidents, whether evidence from a Carnival-brand ship can be used to establish notice against Princess. Passengers who file suit against “Princess Cruises” without correctly identifying Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd., or without evaluating whether Carnival Corporation itself is a proper defendant, create unforced errors that a defense firm will use against them. This is one of the first things this office evaluates in every Princess sexual assault case intake.
The Legal Standard: Why Princess Can Be Held Liable
Princess Cruise Lines is a common carrier, and under general maritime law it owes its passengers a duty of reasonable care under the circumstances — the standard set by the U.S. Supreme Court in Kermarec v. Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, 358 U.S. 625 (1959), and applied routinely to cruise ships throughout the Eleventh Circuit. That duty does not shrink when the source of harm is a person instead of a wet deck. If anything, it expands, because Princess controls who it hires, where it grants cabin access, and how it monitors its own vessel.
Assault by a Princess Crew Member
When the perpetrator is a Princess employee, the leading Eleventh Circuit authority is Doe v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc., 394 F.3d 891 (11th Cir. 2004), which held that a cruise line, as a common carrier, can be held strictly liable for a crew member’s sexual assault of a passenger. Strict liability in this context means the victim does not have to prove Princess was independently negligent — only that a crew member committed the assault. Separate from strict liability, negligent hiring, negligent retention, and negligent supervision remain independent theories that can be pursued where Princess placed an unfit or previously flagged employee in a position with unsupervised passenger access. These claims add settlement pressure even where strict liability already applies, because they speak directly to what the company knew and did.
Assault by Another Passenger
Passenger-on-passenger claims are analyzed differently. They turn on notice — whether Princess knew or should have known of a condition that made an assault foreseeable. Federal courts applying the Eleventh Circuit’s maritime negligence framework, including the notice standard reaffirmed in Sorrels v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., 796 F.3d 1225 (11th Cir. 2015), require a plaintiff to show actual or constructive notice of a risk-creating condition — unmonitored late-night venues, unrestricted alcohol service, malfunctioning cabin locks, or a documented history of similar incidents in the same area of the ship. Whether that notice existed, and whether Princess’s own conduct contributed to the risk, are jury questions, not questions resolved on a motion to dismiss.
Negligent Security as a Standalone Claim
Independent of who committed the assault, Princess can be sued directly for negligent security: inadequate security staffing relative to passenger volume, unmonitored surveillance in high-risk areas, unsecured crew corridors providing access to passenger decks, and failure to act on earlier complaints involving the same individual or the same location on the ship. The notice requirement discussed above applies equally here — a plaintiff who can show the company knew or should have known of the risk is entitled to have that evidence weighed by a jury.
The Federal Data Shows a Worsening Pattern Industry-Wide
The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) requires cruise lines calling on U.S. ports to report certain crimes, including sexual assault, to the FBI each quarter. The Department of Transportation’s published compilations show the trend moving in one direction. In 2025, the industry reported 181 total crimes across all major cruise lines, a record year, and 121 of those, or roughly two out of every three, were classified as sexual assault or rape. That share climbed further in the first quarter of 2026, when 37 of 43 reported crimes industry-wide — 86 percent — were sexual in nature. A bare CVSSA report is not itself a basis to sue Princess; enforcement of the statute belongs to the federal government. But a documented pattern of prior incidents on the same vessel, or in the same area of a Princess ship, is direct evidence of notice in a civil negligence claim, and this office pulls that data as a matter of course in every case evaluation.
National Representation: You Do Not Need to Live in Florida
Princess Cruise Lines’ passenger ticket contract contains a forum selection clause that, for nearly every sailing, requires any lawsuit to be filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida — regardless of where the passenger lives, where the ticket was purchased, or where the ship was sailing at the time of the assault. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the enforceability of this type of clause in Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc. v. Shute, 499 U.S. 585 (1991), and Florida courts have continued to enforce it against passengers who file elsewhere, even when the case is filed just before a deadline. A passenger assaulted on a Princess ship sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Seattle, or Southampton will, in the overwhelming majority of cases, still be required to litigate in Miami federal court. Perkins Law Offices is based in Miami, is admitted to the Southern District of Florida, and represents clients from across the country in exactly this posture. You do not need Florida counsel referred to you by an out-of-state lawyer. You need counsel admitted where your case must be filed, litigating this practice area as a defined focus rather than an occasional referral.
Deadlines That Can End Your Case Before It Starts
Six-Month Written Notice
Princess’s ticket contract requires separate written notice of your claim, detailing the incident, within six months of the assault. An onboard incident report given to ship security does not satisfy this requirement. Relying on the incident report alone is one of the most common and most avoidable mistakes an unrepresented victim can make.
One-Year Statute of Limitations
Suit against Princess must generally be filed within one year of the incident — far shorter than Florida’s ordinary personal injury limitations period. Cruise lines are well aware that victims without counsel frequently miss this deadline while waiting on a claims adjuster who has no obligation to warn them.
Arbitration Cannot Be Used to Bury a Sexual Assault Claim
Some cruise contracts, and certain crew employment agreements, attempt to route disputes into private arbitration. The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 changed that landscape for sexual assault and harassment claims specifically. Federal courts, including in the Southern District of Florida, have applied the Act to deny cruise line motions to compel arbitration in comparable maritime sexual assault cases. If a representative of Princess or its counsel tells you your claim must go to arbitration, that representation warrants scrutiny from counsel who tracks this specific area of law.
What to Preserve After a Sexual Assault on a Princess Ship
- Request a rape kit and DNA preservation at the earliest adequate medical facility, including early disembarkation if shipboard medical care is insufficient.
- Preserve clothing and bedding exactly as they are; do not launder or discard anything.
- Photograph any physical injury, and continue documenting it as it develops over the following days.
- Obtain a copy of the incident report given to ship security, and decline to sign any statement that shifts blame onto you.
- Collect names and contact information for witnesses before disembarking. Princess has no obligation to help you locate them afterward.
- Preserve any texts, photos, or messages from the days surrounding the incident, and back up your phone before allowing ship security to review it.
Compensation Available in a Princess Cruises Sexual Assault Claim
Depending on the specific facts, recoverable damages can include past and future psychological treatment and therapy, medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering, which under Florida law encompasses mental anguish and loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. No attorney can ethically promise a specific outcome before reviewing the facts of your case.
Building Toward a Ship-by-Ship Resource
Princess Cruises currently operates 17 vessels, and the fleet, security staffing, and incident history differ meaningfully from ship to ship. This office is developing dedicated resources for claims arising aboard each of the following Princess vessels: Star Princess, Sun Princess, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Royal Princess, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess, Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Grand Princess, Coral Princess, Island Princess, Diamond Princess, and Sapphire Princess. If your assault occurred aboard one of these ships, tell us the vessel name when you call — it affects which prior-incident evidence is relevant to your case.
Why Perkins Law Offices
Alex Perkins has litigated cruise ship injury and sexual assault claims against Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, MSC, Holland America, and Disney for more than 25 years, with maritime litigation as a defined focus of the practice. The firm is licensed in Florida, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., and admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida — the court where Princess’s forum selection clause routes the overwhelming majority of its passenger litigation. Cases are handled on a contingency fee basis: no upfront cost, and no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Consultations are free, confidential, and can proceed under a pseudonym if you are concerned about public disclosure of your identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was sexually assaulted on a Princess Cruises ship. Who do I actually sue — Princess or Carnival?
Princess Cruises is operated by Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd., within the Carnival Corporation & plc family of brands. Depending on the facts, a claim may name Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd., Carnival Corporation, or both. This should be evaluated by counsel before suit is filed, since naming the wrong entity can create unnecessary complications.
Do I need to live in Florida to sue Princess Cruises for sexual assault?
No. Princess’s ticket contract requires nearly all sailings to be litigated in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, regardless of your home state.
What is the deadline to file a lawsuit against Princess Cruises for sexual assault?
Generally one year from the date of the incident, with a separate written notice of claim typically required within six months.
Can I still bring a claim if I already gave a statement to ship security?
Yes, but the onboard report does not satisfy the separate written notice requirement in Princess’s ticket contract, and statements to ship security have at times been used against victims later. Consult a lawyer before relying on that report alone.
Can Princess force my case into arbitration instead of court?
Generally, no. The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 prohibits forced arbitration of sexual assault claims, and courts have declined to compel arbitration in comparable cruise line cases since its passage.
Is Princess automatically liable if a crew member assaulted me?
A cruise line can be held strictly liable for the intentional sexual assault of a passenger by its own crew member under Doe v. Celebrity Cruises. Negligent hiring, retention, and supervision claims can also apply where the facts support them.
What if another passenger, not a crew member, assaulted me?
Passenger-on-passenger claims require showing Princess had actual or constructive notice of a foreseeable risk — over-service of alcohol, absent security, or a documented history of prior incidents. Courts have allowed comparable claims to proceed to a jury on that basis.
Does it matter if the assault happened at a port of call instead of onboard?
Federal courts have extended admiralty jurisdiction to certain incidents occurring at ports of call. The specific location and circumstances affect which legal theories apply and should be evaluated by counsel.
What if I was a minor when I was assaulted on a Princess ship?
Claims involving minors raise additional considerations, including parental consent issues and, in some jurisdictions, extended filing deadlines. These cases require immediate attorney review given Princess’s contractual deadlines.
Can I sue if I was assaulted during a Princess shore excursion?
Possibly, though shore excursion claims raise additional issues involving third-party excursion operators and contractual disclaimers. The specific facts determine whether Princess itself can be held responsible.
What compensation can I recover in a Princess Cruises sexual assault claim?
Depending on the facts, damages may include psychological treatment costs, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, including mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life. No specific recovery can be guaranteed before your case is reviewed.
Will my name be made public if I sue Princess Cruises?
Sexual assault claims can generally be filed using a pseudonym, such as Jane Doe or John Doe, to protect your identity from public disclosure, subject to court approval.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for a Princess Cruises sexual assault claim?
Perkins Law Offices handles these cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost, and no fee is owed unless compensation is recovered.
What evidence should I preserve after a sexual assault on a cruise ship?
A rape kit where possible, clothing and bedding in unaltered condition, photographs of injuries over time, witness contact information, and any relevant texts or photos.
Can I sue Princess Cruises if the assailant was never criminally charged or was acquitted?
Yes. A civil claim against Princess is separate from any criminal prosecution of the assailant and applies a different burden of proof. A criminal acquittal does not bar a civil negligence claim against the cruise line.
Can crew members be held personally liable in addition to Princess Cruises?
In some circumstances, yes, though the primary target for recovery is typically the corporate defendant given its greater resources and vicarious responsibility for its employees.
What if I was drinking at the time of the assault?
Defense counsel routinely raises a victim’s alcohol consumption to suggest comparative fault. Courts have held that over-service of alcohol by the cruise line itself can support the victim’s claim rather than defeat it, particularly where the ship’s own bar service contributed to intoxication.
What if I signed a liability waiver as part of my cruise contract?
General liability waivers in cruise ticket contracts do not shield a cruise line from its own negligence in most circumstances, and courts have limited the enforceability of waivers attempting to disclaim liability for a company’s own misconduct.
How long does a Princess Cruises sexual assault lawsuit typically take?
Timelines vary based on the complexity of the case, the extent of discovery required, and whether the case resolves through settlement or proceeds to trial. Your attorney should give you a realistic assessment based on your specific facts.
What should I do right now if I was recently assaulted on a Princess ship?
Seek medical attention and evidence preservation immediately, report the incident to ship security while also planning separate written notice to Princess within six months, and contact an attorney experienced in maritime sexual assault claims as soon as possible, even while still aboard.
How do I get started with Perkins Law Offices?
Call (305) 741-5297, available 24/7, or email perkins@perkinslawoffices.com for a free, confidential case review. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact Perkins Law Offices
Perkins Law Offices represents Princess Cruises sexual assault victims nationwide. Consultations are free, confidential, and available around the clock.
Miami Office: 1728 Coral Way, Suite 702, Miami, FL 33145 — (305) 741-5297
Boca Raton Office: 6560 W. Rogers Circle, Suite 15, Boca Raton, FL 33487 — (561) 621-1776
Email: perkins@perkinslawoffices.com
Licensed in Florida, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. Admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice for any individual case. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.
