A tragic incident involving a Tennessee woman has sparked legal action against Carnival Corporation and tour operators in the Bahamas. Hannah Smith, celebrating her college graduation on the Carnival Celebration, suffered severe injuries on 12th May 2025 during an excursion to Pearl Island’s Sun Cay Beach Club near Nassau. The accident occurred when Smith entered the water near a ferry and was caught in its propellers. After enduring 25 surgeries and losing both legs, Smith has filed a lawsuit against Sun Cay, Pearl Investment Management Group, and Carnival Corporation. Initially filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida on 17th December 2025, the case was amended on 11th March 2026. Her friend, Brooklyn Pitre, has also filed a related lawsuit against Carnival on 11th May 2026.
Carnival Cruise Line has expressed sympathy for Smith, stating, “Our thoughts are with Ms. Smith, and we wish her strength and healing. At Carnival Cruise Line, we continuously strive to keep our guests and crew safe as a priority. Out of respect for ongoing legal proceedings, we are unable to comment further. We remain committed to supporting safety and wellbeing in all we do.”
Lawsuit Alleges Dangerous Alcohol Service
Central to the lawsuits are claims that excursion staff encouraged excessive alcohol consumption and exposed guests to unsafe conditions. Court filings allege that Smith and her companions were invited into a private cabana and given large amounts of complimentary high-proof alcohol and marijuana. The complaints describe “liter pours,” where alcohol was poured directly into guests’ mouths. Smith’s blood alcohol concentration reportedly reached 0.447, far exceeding Florida’s legal driving limit of 0.08%.
Court documents also claim that when Smith needed a restroom, staff told her to use the ocean and encouraged her to enter the water despite her intoxicated state. The filings state that Smith entered the water during the ferry disembarkation process after guests returned to Nassau and was struck by the vessel’s propellers. Initially, there was uncertainty about the incident, with Bahamian authorities investigating how Smith entered the water. Family members disputed suggestions that alcohol or an intentional jump played a role, with Hannah’s mother stating, “Hannah was not intoxicated. She fell from the boat. It’s hurtful to say she jumped.
Leave a Reply