Nineteen passengers, including four minors, have filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean International and a former employee, Arvin Joseph Mirasol, alleging invasion of privacy and emotional distress stemming from Mirasol’s surreptitious filming of them in their cruise ship cabins. Mirasol, who worked as a stateroom attendant on the Symphony of the Seas, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to producing child pornography and was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. The lawsuit, filed in October 2024, accuses Mirasol of hiding cameras in passenger bathroom cabins and uploading the recorded footage to online platforms, potentially including the dark web. The passengers, hailing from across the United States and Canada, seek compensation for the emotional distress caused by the violation of their privacy and the potential dissemination of the illicit recordings. They allege experiencing emotional trauma, including anxiety, insomnia, and constant fear that their private moments are being viewed and exploited.
This lawsuit follows a previous class-action suit filed against Royal Caribbean and Mirasol, alleging that as many as 960 individuals may have been victims of hidden camera recordings in a bathroom on board the Symphony of the Seas. The breadth of potential victims in both cases highlights the seriousness of the privacy breach and the widespread impact of Mirasol’s criminal actions. The plaintiffs’ legal team emphasizes the unusual nature of the case, given the potentially extensive number of victims and the significant emotional distress they have suffered. The lawyers representing the 19 passengers aim to hold Royal Caribbean accountable for what they claim are failures in hiring, vetting, supervising, and retaining Mirasol.
Central to the plaintiffs’ argument is the assertion that Royal Caribbean should have foreseen the risk of sexual assaults, including video voyeurism, on its ships. They cite data from the Secretary of Transportation indicating 26 sexual assaults and rapes reported on Royal Caribbean cruises in 2023 and 22 in 2022. Furthermore, FBI data shows a rise in reported sex crimes on cruise ships embarking and disembarking in the United States, with 131 cases in 2023 compared to 87 in 2022. The lawsuit points to another incident involving a hidden camera discovered in a public bathroom on the Harmony of the Seas in 2023, which allegedly recorded over 150 people, including at least 40 children.
The plaintiffs allege that Royal Caribbean failed to implement adequate security measures, training, and supervision to prevent such incidents. They also accuse the cruise line of failing to warn passengers about the risks of sexual assaults and video voyeurism on board its ships. The lawsuit suggests that Royal Caribbean’s motivation for not disclosing these incidents stems from financial concerns, arguing that the company deliberately avoids publicizing such incidents to avoid deterring potential customers. This alleged prioritization of profit over passenger safety forms a key element of the plaintiffs’ case.
The plaintiffs argue that Royal Caribbean’s alleged negligence created an environment in which Mirasol’s actions were possible and that the cruise line bears responsibility for the harm suffered by the victims. They seek damages for the emotional distress caused by the invasion of privacy, the potential spread of the recordings, and the ongoing fear and anxiety they experience. Their legal team expresses confidence in a jury’s ability to understand the severity of the situation and award substantial compensation to the victims. They aim to fully investigate the case and hold Royal Caribbean accountable for what they contend are systemic failures in protecting passenger safety and privacy.
The plaintiffs seek a trial by jury to adjudicate their claims and determine the extent of Royal Caribbean’s liability. They describe suffering from severe emotional distress manifesting in physical symptoms like nausea, insomnia, and constant fear. They live with the constant anxiety that the recorded images are being viewed by others and used for illicit purposes. Their legal team emphasizes their commitment to pursuing justice for the victims and holding Royal Caribbean accountable for its alleged failure to prevent such incidents. At the time of the report, Royal Caribbean had not yet commented on the lawsuit. The case highlights the increasing concerns about privacy violations and security on cruise ships and underscores the need for stronger safeguards to protect passengers from such incidents.
