Carnival Sued After Passenger Hurt on Nassau Swimming with Pigs Tour

A Carnival Elation passenger is suing Carnival Corporation in federal court after she says she suffered serious spinal injuries during a Nassau shore excursion that was marketed and sold through the cruise line.

What the lawsuit alleges happened on the Nassau excursion

According to the complaint, Karolrae Knight was injured on March 24, 2025, during a “Swimming with the Pigs: Express” tour in Nassau, Bahamas. She alleges the incident occurred shortly after the excursion’s transport boat departed for Pig Beach.

Knight says she was seated on a bench with two other passengers when the seat structure failed about 10 minutes into the ride. She alleges the bench collapsed suddenly while conditions were calm, throwing her onto the floor and nearly causing her to go overboard. The filing says she was unable to continue the excursion.

Injuries and damages outlined in the complaint

Knight says she was taken back to Carnival Elation, where the ship’s medical staff diagnosed a fractured tailbone and provided initial treatment. The lawsuit states she later sought additional medical care ashore as her symptoms worsened.

According to the filing, further evaluation found additional spinal injuries, including a bulging disc and tears at L4-L5 and S1. Knight is seeking compensation that includes medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vacation-related expenses, and she has requested a jury trial.

How the case frames Carnival’s role in third-party excursions

The lawsuit was filed March 20, 2026, in federal court in Florida. Knight’s attorneys argue Carnival should be accountable because the excursion was marketed and sold through the cruise line, even though it was run by a third-party operator. The complaint also claims Knight had no interaction with the local tour provider before the day of the excursion.

Carnival’s position on its website is that shore excursions and associated transportation are provided by independent operators, and that the cruise line does not control or supervise those vendors. In the available reports, no statement from Carnival addressing the specific lawsuit was included.

The “Swimming with the Pigs: Express” tour remains listed for booking through Carnival, with an average guest rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on the company’s website. Carnival Elation, described as a Fantasy-class ship with capacity cited at 2,190 guests, continues to sail Bahamas itineraries from Jacksonville, Florida, which frequently include Nassau.

Other cruise itinerary and operations changes highlighted this week

Elsewhere in cruise operations, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line outlined updates that affect upcoming sailings, port calls, and embarkation plans.

Carnival Splendor sailing canceled for a full-ship charter

Carnival canceled its October 12, 2027, New Zealand sailing aboard Carnival Splendor due to a full-ship charter. The 10-night voyage had been scheduled to visit Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, and Bay of Islands.

Carnival said affected passengers can rebook a comparable sailing with rate protection and onboard credit, or take a full refund. The line also indicated that passengers trying to replace the trip may have limited options, noting the next 10-night sailing to New Zealand would not depart until January 2027.

Alaska itineraries adjusted after a fjord landslide

Carnival also changed its 2026 Alaska plans by removing Tracy Arm Fjord from itineraries and substituting Endicott Arm Fjord. The cruise line cited geological instability linked to a 2025 landslide near South Sawyer Glacier.

The change affects Carnival Spirit, Carnival Luminosa, and Carnival Miracle on departures from April through September 2026. The updated itineraries include scenic cruising in Endicott Arm (with views of Dawes Glacier), along with port calls in Skagway, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Victoria. Carnival said any pre-booked shore excursions will be automatically updated to reflect the revised routes.

Philadelphia terminal construction delay forces temporary embarkation setup

In Philadelphia, the new PhilaPort cruise terminal will not be completed before the first scheduled departure of the city’s planned cruise return after a 15-year hiatus. Norwegian Cruise Line said Norwegian Jewel’s Bermuda itinerary will proceed as planned on April 16, 2026, but passengers will embark from a temporary facility at the construction site.

Construction delays were attributed to severe winter weather, which slowed terminal progress ahead of the spring season. Norwegian Jewel is scheduled to operate seven-night Bermuda cruises through September before transitioning to New England and Canada itineraries in the fall.

Passenger death and weather disruption reported on Anthem of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas faced a passenger death and itinerary changes during its 12-night New Zealand voyage. A passenger died while the ship was en route to Bay of Islands on March 25, and New Zealand authorities launched a formal investigation after the ship arrived. Details of the incident were not disclosed, and Royal Caribbean said it is cooperating with local officials.

The ship also encountered weather-related disruption. A subtropical low-pressure system led to the cancellation of its Tauranga port call on March 26, with the itinerary redirected to Napier. With severe weather warnings in place for New Zealand’s North Island, additional adjustments were still possible before the cruise was set to conclude in Sydney on April 3.

Viral Harmony of the Seas footage resurfaces as the ship heads to Europe

A seven-year-old video of Harmony of the Seas leaving Port Everglades has gone viral again, showing beachgoers retreating as the ship’s passage causes water to pull back and surge along the shoreline. The effect has been attributed to Bernoulli’s Principle, with the ship’s movement through the channel affecting water pressure and flow.

For travelers hoping to watch similar sail-outs, Royal Caribbean continues to operate 15 ships from Fort Lauderdale, including Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas. Harmony of the Seas is currently crossing the Atlantic to begin her Mediterranean season in Barcelona.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When did Karolrae Knight file her lawsuit against Carnival?

The lawsuit was filed March 20, 2026, in federal court in Florida, stemming from an injury she alleges occurred on March 24, 2025, during a Nassau excursion.

What compensation is Knight seeking in the case?

She is seeking damages that include medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vacation-related expenses, and she has requested a jury trial.

Does Carnival say it is responsible for incidents during shore excursions?

Carnival states on its website that shore excursions and associated transportation are provided by independent local providers, and that the cruise line does not control or supervise those operations.

What caused Carnival’s Tracy Arm itinerary changes in Alaska?

Carnival cited geological instability after a 2025 landslide near South Sawyer Glacier, and replaced Tracy Arm Fjord with Endicott Arm Fjord for the 2026 Alaska season on affected itineraries.

Will Philadelphia’s incomplete terminal disrupt Norwegian Jewel sailings?

Norwegian Cruise Line said the April 16, 2026, departure will proceed as planned, with passengers embarking from a temporary on-site facility at the construction site while the PhilaPort terminal remains under construction.