Nineteen passengers, including four minors, have filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean and a former employee, Arvin Joseph Mirasol, for placing hidden cameras in their guest rooms on the Symphony of the Seas. Mirasol, who pleaded guilty to producing child pornography, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in August. The passengers, primarily American citizens from various states and Canada, are seeking damages for the violation of their privacy.
This lawsuit follows a previous class-action suit filed in October against Mirasol and Royal Caribbean, alleging that nearly 1,000 people may have been victims of hidden cameras on the ship. The plaintiffs' lawyer, Spencer Aronfeld, emphasized the unusual nature of the case due to the potentially large number of victims.
The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Florida, details how Mirasol, while working as a stateroom attendant, secretly recorded passengers in their bathrooms without their consent and allegedly shared the footage online. The plaintiffs are experiencing emotional distress and anxiety due to the potential spread of their private images.
The lawsuit also criticizes Royal Caribbean for alleged negligence, citing previous sexual assault reports on their cruises and arguing that the company should have taken stronger preventative measures. The plaintiffs' lawyers point to data showing a rise in sexual assault allegations on cruise ships in 2023, with 131 sex crimes reported to the FBI, up from 87 in 2022.
The lawsuit also mentions a separate incident on the Harmony of the Seas, where a hidden camera in a public bathroom allegedly recorded over 150 people, including children. The plaintiffs accuse Royal Caribbean of prioritizing profits over passenger safety by failing to adequately warn passengers about the risks of sexual assault and voyeurism on their ships.
The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial and demanding compensation for their emotional distress and the ongoing fear that their private images are being circulated. They aim to hold Royal Caribbean accountable for its alleged failure to properly vet and supervise its employees. Royal Caribbean has not yet commented on the lawsuit.
