Carnival Cruise Sued: Passenger Loses Both Legs in Nassau Propeller Accident
Carnival Cruise Line faces major lawsuit after Hannah Smith lost both legs in a ferry propeller accident during a Nassau shore excursion in May 2025. The cruise passenger underwent 25 surgeries following the incident.
Image generated by AI
Breaking: Major Lawsuit Filed Against Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line faces serious legal consequences following a catastrophic accident involving recent college graduate Hannah Smith. During a shore excursion in Nassau, Bahamas, on May 12, 2025, Smith was pulled into ferry propellers while aboard the Carnival Celebration, resulting in the amputation of both legs. The incident has sparked lawsuits against Carnival Corporation, tour operators, and raises critical questions about passenger safety protocols during off-ship activities.
The tragedy unfolded near Pearl Island's Sun Cay Beach Club during what was marketed as a safe, family-friendly excursion. Smith's legal team argues that Carnival shares responsibility despite claiming independence from shore excursion operations. This case represents a watershed moment for cruise line liability in passenger injury cases.
What Happened to Hannah Smith
On a spring cruise celebrating recent graduation, Hannah Smith participated in what appeared to be a standard beach club excursion. The Tennessee resident and her travel companion, Brooklyn Pitre, joined other passengers on a ferry operated by tour providers. What began as a leisure day took a tragic turn during the disembarkation process in Nassau.
According to court filings, Smith required immediate assistance after suffering catastrophic injuries from the ferry's propellers. She underwent 25 separate surgical procedures to address her injuries. Both of her legs required amputation due to the severity of damage sustained. Medical teams worked extensively to stabilize her condition following the incident.
The accident occurred while the ferry was in operational mode, suggesting critical safety lapses in passenger management and vessel operation protocols. Witnesses reported confusion regarding passenger safety procedures and movement restrictions near operational equipment. Documentation indicates this represents one of the most severe passenger injuries reported on a Carnival-affiliated shore excursion.
Brooklyn Pitre, Smith's companion, independently filed complementary legal action against Carnival on May 11, 2026, adding substantial weight to allegations about the excursion's dangerous conditions.
Alcohol and Safety Allegations
Court documents reveal troubling claims about alcohol service during the Nassau excursion. Both Smith and Pitre's lawsuits allege that tour staff encouraged excessive consumption of high-proof alcohol, with some drinks allegedly spiked by employees. The allegations describe a private cabana scenario where complimentary alcoholic beverages were aggressively promoted to passengers.
Smith's blood alcohol level registered at 0.447 percent—significantly exceeding Florida's legal driving limit of 0.08 percent. Bartenders allegedly performed "liter pours," pouring spiked beverages directly into guests' mouths. This level of intoxication severely impaired judgment and motor control immediately before the propeller incident.
According to court filings, tour staff directed an extremely intoxicated Smith toward the ocean as a restroom facility rather than providing access to proper facilities. She entered the water while dangerously intoxicated, where she became caught in active ferry propellers during the final stages of disembarkation. The timeline between excessive alcohol provision and the fatal injury spans mere hours.
These allegations align with emerging patterns. In April 2026, news broke that another Carnival guest successfully won a $300,000 settlement against Carnival Corporation specifically related to dangerous alcohol service practices. Social media documentation reveals complaints about excessive alcohol service dating back to 2018, suggesting institutional knowledge of problematic practices.
Remarkably, the Sun Cay Beach Club excursion remains available for booking on Carnival's official website, though customer reviews average only 2.8 out of 5 stars. Public complaints documented online specifically reference unsafe ferry conditions and alcohol overservice since 2023.
Legal Action and Timeline
Smith's lawsuit was originally filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on December 17, 2025. The complaint was subsequently amended on March 11, 2026, to include additional findings and strengthen negligence allegations. Brooklyn Pitre filed her independent lawsuit on May 11, 2026, pursuing similar claims.
The legal strategy targets multiple defendants: tour operators Sun Cay, Pearl Investment Management Group, and Carnival Corporation directly. Defendants face charges of negligence, failure to provide adequate safety warnings, and negligent hiring or supervision of tour staff. Smith's legal team contends that Carnival bears responsibility despite contractual disclaimers.
Carnival initially sought dismissal, arguing that independent Bahamian companies operated the excursion, absolving cruise line liability. United States District Judge William Dimitrouleas rejected this motion. Peter Rebmann, managing partner of Pearl Investment Management Group, separately argued that Florida courts lack jurisdiction over a Bahamian business entity—a motion that also faced legal challenges.
The amended complaint significantly strengthens Smith's position by documenting years of publicly available warnings about the specific excursion's dangerous conditions. This evidence counters arguments that Carnival lacked knowledge of safety risks. Legal experts suggest the negligence case gains momentum with documented patterns of harm.
Carnival's Response and Corporate Position
Carnival issued a formal statement acknowledging Smith's injuries while maintaining operational distance from shore excursion activities. "Our thoughts are with Ms. Smith, and we wish her strength and healing," the company stated. "At Carnival Cruise Line, we continuously strive to keep our guest and crew safe as a priority."
The cruise line emphasized that it cannot comment further due to ongoing litigation. However, Carnival's public position maintains that shore excursions operate as independent vendor activities, placing responsibility exclusively with local operators. Company policy states: "All of the shore excursions, including any related transportation, are operated by local independent companies and they are solely responsible for their products, excursions and any related transportation."
This liability shield has proven controversial in this case. Smith's legal team argues that Carnival actively markets shore excursions as safe, vetted experiences, creating an implicit warranty of safety. By featuring the Sun Cay Beach Club prominently on booking platforms alongside safety assurances, Carnival arguably assumes responsibility for guest welfare during marketed activities.
Corporate documents show Carnival's explicit disclaimer: "Carnival is not responsible for any losses, damage, death, injuries or claims whatsoever arising from, connected with, or related to any activities engaged in by guests while off of Carnival's ships or tenders in any port of call." Despite such disclaimers, courts increasingly scrutinize whether marketing practices override contractual liability limitations.
The $300,000 settlement awarded to another guest in April 2026 demonstrates judicial willingness to hold Carnival accountable for third-party vendor conduct, particularly when systemic patterns of negligence become apparent.
Shore Excursion Safety: Critical Facts and Timeline
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | May 12, 2025 |
| Passenger Name | Hannah Smith (recent college graduate) |
| Cruise Ship | Carnival Celebration |
| Port of Incident | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Excursion Name | Sun Cay Beach Club with Lunch |
| Operator | Pearl Island/Pearl Investment Management Group |
| Injuries Sustained | Amputation of both legs |
| Surgical Procedures | 25 operations required |
| Blood Alcohol Level | 0.447% (legal limit: 0.08%) |
| Original Lawsuit Filed | December 17, 2025 (US District Court, Southern District of Florida) |
| Lawsuit Amended | March 11, 2026 |
| Second Lawsuit Filed | May 11, 2026 (Brooklyn Pitre) |
| Current Excursion Rating | 2.8 out of 5 stars |
| First Known Complaints | Dating back to 2018 (alcohol service) and 2023 (ferry safety) |
| Judge Ruling | Rejected Carnival's |
Preeti Gunjan
Contributor & Community Manager
A passionate traveller and community builder. Preeti helps grow the Nomad Lawyer community, fostering engagement and bringing the reader experience to life.
Learn more about our team →