Our Orlando Cruise Ship Accident Attorneys Fight So Our Client’s Are Not Victimized Twice

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Cruise ship accidents can be devastating, but the award-winning team at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. have the tools to help when cruise lines are negligent. Our team has 16 personal injury attorneys with more than 250 years of combined experience across the United States. These attorneys have accumulated more than $500 Million in recovery for clients and have been recognized countless times for their excellence in cruise line accidents and more. That includes four of our attorneys being selected among the “Best Lawyers” ® in America and our team being recognized among the “Best Law Firms” ® by US News & World Report.

Filing a claim for a cruise ship accident, whether as cruise ship passengers or crew members, can be daunting. Maritime law can be complex, and your personal injury claim may be complicated by the rules set out by the cruise line. Our team includes Board Certified maritime law experts who are intimately familiar with the laws applicable to cruise ship injury claims.

If you are struggling to file a claim against major cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Lines or Royal Caribbean, reach out to a cruise ship lawyer Orlando. They can help those injured on cruise ships seek the compensation they are due.

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Port Canaveral Is Now the World’s Busiest Cruise Port

Port Canaveral has officially become the busiest cruise port in the world, and that distinction directly affects anyone injured while sailing from Central Florida. In fiscal year 2025, the port recorded more than 8.6 million revenue passenger movements, the highest annual total in its history and a 13 percent increase over the prior year, according to the Canaveral Port Authority. That surge edged out longtime leader PortMiami and reflects a booming local cruise economy, but more passengers also means more opportunities for serious injuries at sea.

With record traffic comes record risk, and our Orlando cruise ship accident attorneys understand how Port Canaveral’s growth shapes the cases we handle. The port currently serves as homeport for 18 ships across seven major cruise brands, generating more than 1,000 sailings every year. When negligence on any of those vessels causes harm, we are prepared to hold the responsible cruise line accountable.

Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Homeport at Port Canaveral

Three of the largest names in cruising sail directly out of Port Canaveral, which makes the port a central hub for passenger injury claims. Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival all homeport ships here, carrying millions of guests each year to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean even based the world’s largest cruise ship, the Star of the Seas, out of Port Canaveral, dramatically increasing the number of passengers passing through Central Florida.

These cruise lines operate under maritime law and frequently insert shortened deadlines and specific reporting requirements into their passenger ticket contracts. Because each company handles claims differently, knowing which cruise line operated your vessel is an important first step. Our team regularly pursues claims against Carnival Cruise Line and other major operators, and we know how to navigate the contractual hurdles they place in front of injured guests.

The convenience that makes Port Canaveral a top drive-to market also draws families and first-time cruisers who may not realize how quickly their right to file a claim can expire. Whether your injury occurred on board, during boarding, or on a shore excursion, we can help you identify the appropriate deadlines and preserve your case before time runs out.

Injured on the Water Near Orlando?

Cruise ships are not the only vessels operating in and around Central Florida’s waterways. Smaller recreational boats share these waters, and accidents involving them follow a different set of rules than passenger cruise claims. If your injury occurred on a private vessel rather than a cruise ship, our Orlando boating accident lawyers can evaluate the unique circumstances of your case.

Determining whether your claim falls under cruise line liability or general boating law affects everything from the applicable deadlines to the parties you may pursue. Our attorneys handle the full range of maritime injury claims across Florida, so we can guide you toward the right approach no matter which type of vessel was involved.

Liability for a Cruise Ship Injury

When filing a Florida cruise ship lawsuit, one of the first concerns for you and your cruise ship accident lawyer is liability. Holding the Orlando cruise line responsible for your cruise ship injury is vital, but you may be unsure who is responsible. For example, you may have been injured on a cruise because cruise ship employees were negligent. However, they may not be the ones responsible for your cruise ship injuries.

Instead, your cruise ship accident attorneys may instead seek to hold the cruise line itself responsible. That includes major cruise lines like Disney Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America, Princess Cruises, and more.

Cruise ship accident lawyers know that the cruise company is responsible for protecting the safety of its passengers. When they fail, injured passengers may have grounds to seek compensation in state or federal court, depending on the laws impacting their case. If you are unsure how to hold the company responsible, reach out to our maritime injury law firm to learn more about your opportunities.

Your First Steps After a Cruise Ship Injury

In the aftermath of cruise accidents, there are certain steps you need to take to protect your opportunities to see compensation for a serious injury. One of the first is to ensure that your health is protected. Seek medical care right away.

Next, take a look at your passenger ticket contract. In the fine print of passenger tickets, you will typically find information about how to report serious injuries through a written notice to the cruise liner. These instructions vary in the cruise industry depending on the company, but take note of how much time you have to provide a written claim and file a lawsuit for your injuries. These time limits inserted into the passenger ticket contract by many cruise lines often shorten the ordinary statute of limitations provided by federal statute for filing lawsuits for maritime personal injury.

Accident victims should also gather evidence at the accident scene. Take note of whether you are traveling through international waters or at shore, whether other passengers saw the accident, and whether a crew member was involved. Take photos and video to preserve the scene as it was at the time of your accident. That can provide great support for your legal team to maximize the value of your claim.

Cruise ship injury attorneys can help using this information. Seeking out Florida maritime lawyers with the legal skills to recover compensation for you for someone else’s negligence can help clients recover. Reach out for an experienced lawyer when you need someone to act in your best interests.

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You May Be Due Damages for Your Injuries

Cruise ship injury cases can cover a wide swath of accident types. That includes slip and fall accidents, food poisoning, sexual assault, and more. Your cruise accident lawyer can discuss your options during a free consultation to regain the vast majority of the funds lost because of your accident.

Taking the right steps to follow general maritime law or international treaties as well as U.S. federal law can make a difference in the compensation you receive. Talk with your cruise ship accident attorney about your options to seek compensation through the legal process with an award-winning team on your side.

Economic Damages

First, when you are planning your claim with injury attorneys, one of the first things that comes up is the financial costs of your injuries. You may have medical bills, incidental costs (such as transportation and medical equipment), days off work for recovery, and even property damage.

Any of these damages can lead to compensation in addition to non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Talk to your lawyer about adding these expenses up and ensuring you receive compensation for your future costs as well.

Non-Economic Damages

Keep in mind that the pain and suffering you have experienced is also worth compensation. Injury lawyers can help you identify the damages you need when you or your family members have been injured and suffered mental and emotional impacts.

For example, you may have had an overboard accident and now suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of that accident. You and our law offices can discuss your opportunities to get compensated for this type of suffering.

What Makes Suing a Cruise Line So Difficult?

One of the biggest issues that many people struggle with when suing a cruise line is the complexity of the claim. You are facing a situation where you may be impacted by different legal standards and requirements under maritime law, your time periods to sue may be significantly reduced, and you may be unsure what jurisdictions are appropriate to bring suit in because of the transient nature of cruise ships and international laws.

When dealing with district court or federal courts, law firms like ours can provide the support you need. An experienced maritime lawyer can guide you through the details and simplify the complexities for you. Our team is prepared to effectively represent our clients in court, providing them the support they need during this difficult time.

What Our Attorneys Can Provide to Cruise Ship Injury Victims

As a cruise ship injury victim, you may have difficulties getting compensated fairly for the suffering you have experienced. Below are a few of the most important concerns you may be facing after a cruise ship injury. Reach out to an attorney to take advantage of these benefits.

Centuries of Combined Experience

Experience in the legal field offers legal professionals the tools, resources, and connections that can be used throughout their career. That is why it is so significant that our team features a combined legal experience of more than 250 years. That is decades and decades of quality experience that guides our team to success.

A Track Record of Success

Many Florida residents, from Port Canaveral to Miami, are familiar with some maritime lawyers in the area. Seeking one out with a long standing reputation in the community as a team that gets results can help your recovery. That track record can indicate how hard your attorney is willing to fight to get you the results you want to see.

No Fees Unless We Win

One of your biggest concerns when suing may be attorneys fees, but we simplify this process through contingency fees. That means that you only pay a portion of the compensation you receive, not a flat rate. If our team is unsuccessful, you pay nothing.

 

Orlando Cruise Ship Accident FAQ

When involved in a cruise ship accident, one of the easiest ways to get the answers you need is to immediately contact an attorney. Your lawyer can provide the support you need during this difficult time and can provide answers to the many questions, case specific or not, that can impact your next steps forward.
When you are ready to speak with an attorney, you can always reach out for free consultation. In the meantime, you can check out some of our most commonly asked questions below.

Can I sue a cruise ship?

When you are injured on a cruise ship, you may have grounds to sue the cruise line. Talk to your attorney about holding a claim against these corporations.

What do you do if you get hurt on a cruise ship?

First, seek medical attention. Once your health is taken care of, gather evidence where possible from the scene of the accident, including taking photos and videos of the area and, if possible, identify witnesses and secure witness testimony. Check out the fine print on your ticket as well, so you can determine how long you have to provide written notice to the cruise line regarding your incident and claim. Finally, speak with an experienced maritime attorney about your case and what you can do to seek compensation for it.

How can your attorneys help with my cruise ship injury case?

Your attorneys offer the experience and dedication needed to take on these massive companies and get compensation for cruise ship injuries like yours. They can represent you in the courtroom and ensure you get the funds you or due for your suffering.

 

Our Maritime and Cruise Ship Accident Attorneys Demand Negligent Cruise Lines Compensate Injury Victims For Every Loss

The team at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. is made up of 16 personal injury attorneys, who have the vast experience needed to effectively handle cruise ship and maritime injury claims just like yours. Our team has recovered more than $500 Million for our clients, four of our attorneys have been named to “Best Lawyers” ® in America, and our firm itself has been named to “Best Law Firms” ® by US News & World Report since 2016.

Our experience gives us the tools we need to help you hold cruise ships accountable for negligent actions. If you are unsure what steps you can take to hold them accountable for your suffering, reach out for a free consultation with our team. We can be reached by calling 877-233-1238 or by filling out our online contact form.

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