Royal Caribbean Class Action: Hidden Cameras Found in Guest Bathrooms

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Royal Caribbean failed to prevent a stateroom attendant from installing hidden cameras in guest bathrooms, violating passenger privacy.

Consumers Affected: Passengers who stayed in cabins serviced by the stateroom attendant on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas between December 1, 2023, and February 26, 2024.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division

Royal Caribbean Cruises is facing a class action lawsuit after allegations surfaced that a stateroom attendant placed hidden cameras in guest bathrooms aboard the Symphony of the Seas. 

Jane Doe, the lead plaintiff, filed the case on behalf of herself and other passengers who stayed in cabins serviced by the stateroom attendant between December 1, 2023, and February 26, 2024. The lawsuit estimates that nearly 960 passengers may have been affected during this period.

The stateroom attendant, assigned to clean and maintain guest cabins, allegedly installed concealed cameras under bathroom sinks to record passengers in private moments. Jane Doe discovered one such device in her cabin during a February 2024 cruise. 

Investigators later uncovered video recordings of passengers, including minors, in various states of undress. Evidence recovered suggests that some of the footage was shared with others online, potentially on the dark web.

Hidden Cameras Found in Royal Caribbean Staterooms, Lawsuit Claims

Federal authorities boarded the ship when it docked at Port Everglades in March 2024. The stateroom attendant’s electronic devices were confiscated, revealing recordings taken in up to 20 cabins per cruise. Over the course of 12 sailings, with cabins accommodating two to four guests, approximately 960 passengers could have been recorded without their consent.

Investigators also found additional unlawful content unrelated to the cruises. Jane Doe and other affected passengers reported ongoing emotional and physical symptoms, including anxiety, nausea, insomnia, and distress. The lawsuit claims that these recordings’ possible distribution online has left individuals fearing they may never fully recover control over their privacy.

The lawsuit also accuses Royal Caribbean of failing to notify passengers whose cabins were serviced by the attendant, leaving many unaware of the potential violations. It further alleges that the cruise line neglected to take adequate steps to prevent these actions, despite previous incidents aboard other ships.

Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Protect Passenger Privacy

The complaint references a 2023 case involving another hidden camera on a Royal Caribbean vessel, where more than 150 individuals were recorded in a public restroom. Additionally, data from the U.S. Department of Transportation shows 26 reported sexual assaults aboard Royal Caribbean ships in 2023 and 22 in 2022.

Jane Doe is seeking compensation for emotional and physical harm on behalf of herself and the approximately 960 passengers potentially affected. The lawsuit also calls for punitive damages and changes to Royal Caribbean’s security policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The stateroom attendant was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison following the investigation.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Doe et al . Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD et al.
• Case Number: 1:24-cv-23953-XXXX
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Jason R. Margulies, Michael A. Winkleman, and Jacqueline Garcell (Lipcon, Margulies & Winkelman, P.A.)

Have you sailed on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas? Share your thoughts on this lawsuit in the comments below.