A recent incident involving Princess Cruises has sparked legal action, highlighting potential safety concerns for cruise holidaygoers. A guest, Marie Cassano, has filed a lawsuit against the cruise line after a theatre seat collapsed during her January 2025 cruise. The specific ship involved remains unidentified, but the incident has raised questions about onboard safety and maintenance.
Legal Action Over Theatre Seat Collapse
Marie Cassano’s legal claim, lodged in December, seeks compensation for injuries sustained when her seat in the ship’s main theatre suddenly collapsed. The details of her injuries have not been publicly disclosed. Princess Cruises, owned by Carnival Corporation, has yet to comment on the case.
Allegations of Negligence
Cassano’s lawsuit alleges that Princess Cruises either knew or should have known about the defective seating. The claim suggests the cruise line failed to prevent guests from using the faulty chair. An image of the broken seat, shared by TMZ, shows it on the floor with caution tape to deter other passengers. This raises concerns about whether the seating issue was identified before the incident.
Reports of Similar Issues
Following the lawsuit, other guests have reported similar seating problems on different Princess Cruises sailings. One Royal Princess guest noted a broken seat on their cruise, questioning the maintenance practices onboard. These reports, however, are not confirmed to be linked to Cassano’s case.
Challenges in Theatre Maintenance
Princess Cruises operates large theatres, seating up to 1,000 guests. This makes inspecting every seat before shows challenging. Continuous operation of cruise ships throughout the year adds to the wear and tear of public venues. Despite strict safety and maintenance procedures, incidents can still occur.
Standard Procedures for Passenger Injuries
In cases of passenger injuries, cruise lines typically offer onboard medical assistance and file an incident report. Legal action is a common occurrence in the cruise industry, especially for companies carrying thousands of passengers. Princess Cruises has faced multiple injury-related lawsuits in recent years.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The lawsuit filed by Cassano is not an isolated case. On 7th November 2025, another lawsuit was filed against Princess Cruises in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida. This case involves Elizabeth Knigge, who alleges she slipped and fell during her cruise. These legal challenges underscore the importance of safety and maintenance in the cruise industry.
For UK cruise holidaygoers, these incidents serve as a reminder to stay informed about safety measures and procedures when planning a cruise. While cruise lines strive to ensure passenger safety, being aware of potential risks can enhance your holiday experience.
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