A Royal Caribbean International passenger has filed a class-action lawsuit against the company and a former crew member after a hidden camera was discovered in a bathroom on board the Symphony of the Seas cruise ship. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a passenger known as “Jane Doe” and all other similarly situated passengers. The former employee responsible for the hidden camera, Arvin Joseph Mirasol, pleaded guilty to producing child pornography and was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. The discovery of the hidden camera led to the detention of Mirasol until the cruise ship docked in Fort Lauderdale.
Following the discovery of the hidden camera, law enforcement found numerous videos of children between the ages of 2 and 17 on Mirasol’s electronic devices. The lawsuit alleges that Mirasol’s actions were not limited to children, as he also filmed passengers while they showered by hiding under their beds. The lawsuit claims that Royal Caribbean should have known that sexual assaults were reasonably foreseeable on their cruise ships and should have taken steps to protect their guests. According to the lawsuit, there have been a significant number of sexual assaults reported on Royal Caribbean cruises in recent years.
The lawsuit accuses Royal Caribbean of not informing other passengers in rooms serviced by Mirasol during a specific timeframe, potentially exposing up to 960 passengers to being filmed without their consent. The attorney representing the plaintiff in the case emphasized the need for addressing sexual assaults, including voyeurism, on cruise ships. The attorney also criticized Royal Caribbean for not taking sufficient action to protect passengers despite being aware of previous incidents involving hidden cameras on their ships. The lawsuit highlights the importance of protecting passenger privacy and holding cruise lines accountable for ensuring the safety of their guests.
The lawsuit raises concerns about the increasing number of sexual assaults and voyeurism incidents on cruise ships and calls for action to address these issues. The attorney representing the plaintiff criticized Royal Caribbean for not taking adequate measures to prevent reoccurrences of such incidents and protect the privacy of their passengers. The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to properly train its staff and warn guests about the risks of sexual assaults on board their ships. The attorney expressed concerns about the potential dissemination of pornographic images of passengers online due to the cruise line’s failure to protect their privacy.
Royal Caribbean International has not responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit. The legal action taken by the passenger highlights the need for accountability and responsibility in ensuring the safety and privacy of cruise ship passengers. The lawsuit seeks to address the lack of action taken by Royal Caribbean to prevent incidents of sexual assault and voyeurism on their ships. It also serves as a warning to other cruise lines to prioritize passenger safety and take necessary steps to protect them from potential harm while on board.
