Matthew Clayton
Partner, Serious Injury Solicitor
For free legal advice call our Holiday Accident Claims Solicitors and we will help you. Ask if we can deal with your claim on a No Win, No Fee basis.
If you have an accident or become ill on a cruise ship, it can be especially stressful because you can’t get to a hospital straight away. Even though cruise ship carriers do have a duty of care to their passengers, and should do all they can to protect them from injury and illness, they can and do still happen.
If you were injured in an accident on a cruise ship holiday that wasn’t your fault, or you became ill because of a virus outbreak or poor food hygiene, preparation or storage, you could have grounds for a successful compensation claim.
Get in touch with our Holiday Claims Solicitors for a free legal advice and to discuss your case. We may be able to handle your claim on a No Win, No Fee basis - ask us for details.
One of our experienced Holiday Claims Solicitors can give you free legal advice on your potential cruise ship claim. Some of our Solicitors and Lawyers have worked in the travel industry for a number of years and will use that added expertise in your claim. Because we’re the Open Lawyers, we’ll always take an honest and transparent approach with you. This means no legal jargon, and no hidden costs or surprises.
We’ve successfully helped many holidaymakers claim compensation for an accident or sickness on a holiday cruise.
Simpson Millar5 starsSimpson Millar were appointed by my…Holiday Insurance Company
Simpson Millar were appointed by my holiday insurance company following a serious dog bite I received while on holiday in the US. This claim was complicated by the fact that a US attorney had to b...
Norma Gudger
Simpson Millar5 starsgreat service
I had Paul Stevens deal with my holiday claim. They were great! kept me update all the time. Gave me super advice, understood we all have busy life's and always made everything simple for me!
Millie Lamb
Simpson Millar5 starsQuality
Good communication, great staff, win win
Mrs Allen
Simpson Millar5 starsDarrel always got back to me when I…
Darrel always got back to me when I called or e-mailed and kept me up to date all the way through.
CT Lincoln
Simpson Millar5 starsDealt with paul rimmer now for nearly…
Dealt with paul rimmer now for nearly two years as he’s been dealing with my claim , he’s always kept me in the loop and responded promptly to any questions I had regarding my claim , would highly rec...
Jason Smith
Simpson Millar5 starsGood service received.
My claim was dealt with professionally. I was kept informed of progress at all times. Jai-Inder Rattan was very helpful and I felt I could phone him whenever I needed clarification on anything to do w...
Carol
Simpson Millar5 starsGreat experience!
I had the pleasure of dealing with Andrea Rigby who was able to secure a settlement for both mine and my partners claim that we are very satisfied with. Upon returning to the UK after falling ill at...
Ben Marsden
Cruise ship accidents can happen when you’re embarking or disembarking the ship, or they can happen while you’re at sea. Common accidents include:
If you think the accident could have been avoided and happened because of the negligence of the cruise ship operator, you may be entitled to compensation. A Holiday Claims Solicitor can advise you on this.
If you’re injured, you should get medical attention straight away. All cruise ships should have facilities to treat personal injuries among passengers, and the cruise ship doctor can give you written details of their diagnosis and a prescription if you ask for
Report your accident to a senior member of staff, and if necessary, the cruise ship carrier’s head office. Make sure you get a copy of any accident report that is written about your accident.
Gather as much evidence as you can so you can prove what caused your accident including photographs of your injuries and the place where the accident happened. You could also request a copy of video or CCTV footage if there is any.
Ask other passengers if any of them witnessed the accident and take their names and contact details if they agree. They could form an important part of the evidence if you make a holiday accident claim.
Finally, don’t forget to keep records of any financial losses, such as receipts for hospital bills, travel expenses and medical fees. Also keep details once you get home of any time you’ve had to take off work because of your injuries.
Many cruise ship illnesses are caused by neglect on the part of the cruise ship operator, usually in relation to a virus or the preparation or storage of food, or from poor hygiene which leads to the spread of infection.
Examples of gastric illness pathogens and infections which can break out on cruise ships include:
Some of these illnesses can be caught by consuming contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.
While many people believe meat is the only type of food to pose a risk, this isn’t actually the case. Fruit and vegetables that have been stored incorrectly or grown in inadequate conditions, such as when human faecal matter is used instead of the correct type of compost, can also cause infection.
While it’s not uncommon to experience some mild seasickness on a cruise, if you experience any of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from food poisoning or have contracted a gastric illness pathogen.
Cruise liners are bound by the Athens Convention which states that any sea ferrying vessel is liable for the safety of their passengers. Under the convention, the operator is liable for any damage or loss incurred by a passenger, or to their luggage during any time of the voyage.
The Athens Convention applies to any vessel making a journey that is considered an "international carriage by sea", meaning that it must meet one of the following criteria:
If the Athens Convention applies to your case, you have 2 years to make a claim from the date you disembarked the cruise ship at the end of your holiday or when you were moved from the cruise ship to be hospitalised.
If your claim isn’t taken to the Admiralty Division of the High Court within this period, it will be time-barred. That means you can’t make a claim.
Under the Athens Convention, you can claim compensation for an injury or illness from your country of residence, providing you booked the cruise there, regardless of where the cruise ship was at the time you became ill.
So if you booked your cruise ship holiday in the UK, sailed from Spain and became ill whilst at sea near Morocco, you could still make a claim through a British Holiday Claims Solicitor in a UK Court.
Having an accident or getting sick on a cruise can be very upsetting, especially if it spoils part or all of your trip.
Our Holiday Claims Solicitors have dealt with many cruise ship compensation claims. We’ll work flexibly with you to help you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
We often work on a No Win, No Fee basis, so ask us for details when you get in touch.
Fill in the form below to get in touch with one of our dedicated team members, or call our team today on: 0808 239 7911