Carnival Sued After Guest Says Bench Collapsed During Popular Pig Excursion

A new lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Line is once again putting a spotlight on the risks—and legal gray areas—surrounding shore excursions sold through cruise lines.

A former passenger is now seeking damages after alleging she was seriously injured before her excursion even began during a sailing aboard Carnival Elation.

Passenger Files Lawsuit Over Nassau Excursion Incident

According to federal court filings, passenger Karolrae Knight filed a lawsuit against Carnival Corporation on March 20, 2026, in the Southern District of Florida.

The claim stems from an incident that allegedly took place nearly a year earlier, on March 24, 2025, during a cruise that included a stop in Nassau, Bahamas.

Knight had booked Carnival’s popular “Swimming with the Pigs: Express” shore excursion—an experience that includes a short boat ride to Pig Beach followed by time interacting with the famous swimming pigs.

However, according to the lawsuit, the excursion never made it that far.

Bench Collapse Allegedly Occurred During Boat Transfer

The lawsuit claims that about 10 minutes into the boat ride—while conditions were calm—a bench on the vessel suddenly collapsed.

Knight alleges she was seated alongside two other passengers when the bench gave way without warning.

As a result, she says she was violently thrown to the floor of the boat and nearly fell overboard.

The complaint argues that the seating “was not reasonably fit for its intended purpose” and failed during normal use.

Injuries Reportedly Worsened After Cruise

Following the incident, Knight says she was unable to continue with the excursion and was instead taken back to the ship.

Onboard medical staff reportedly diagnosed her with a fractured tailbone.

However, the lawsuit states that her condition worsened after returning home. Additional medical evaluations allegedly revealed more serious spinal injuries, including:

• A bulging disc
• A tear at L4-L5
• Another tear at S1

She is now seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the loss of her vacation experience. A jury trial has been requested.

Legal Battle Likely to Focus on Third-Party Responsibility

At the center of the case is a familiar legal question in the cruise industry: who is responsible when something goes wrong on a shore excursion?

Although the excursion was booked through Carnival, the tour itself—and the boat transportation—were operated by an independent third-party provider.

Knight’s legal team argues that Carnival should still be held accountable because the cruise line:

• Marketed and sold the excursion directly to guests
• Profited from the experience
• Allegedly failed to provide adequate warnings or transparency about third-party operation

They also claim Carnival should have been aware of potential safety risks and exercised better oversight of the vendor.

Carnival Points to Independent Contractor Disclaimer

Carnival, like most major cruise lines, includes clear language in its policies stating that shore excursions are operated by independent companies.

According to the cruise line’s terms:

• Shore excursions are run by local operators who are solely responsible for their services
• Carnival does not supervise or control these providers
• The cruise line sells excursions as a convenience to guests

Carnival’s website further states it is not responsible for injuries or incidents that occur during off-ship activities, even if those excursions are purchased through the cruise line.

Part of a Growing Trend of Shore Excursion Lawsuits

This case is the latest in a series of lawsuits involving injuries during cruise-related excursions.

Recent filings have included:

• Claims from passengers injured during a tender ride to Princess Cays
• A lawsuit involving an alleged fall during a Puerto Vallarta excursion

These cases continue to test the limits of cruise line liability—especially when experiences are marketed and sold onboard but operated by outside companies.

Past rulings in similar cases have sometimes favored cruise lines, particularly when passenger contracts and disclaimers clearly outline third-party responsibility.

Excursion Still Available Despite Lawsuit

Despite the lawsuit, the “Swimming with the Pigs: Express” excursion remains available for booking in Nassau.

The experience is one of dozens offered by Carnival at the port and generally receives strong reviews from guests.

What This Means for Cruise Passengers

While most shore excursions go smoothly, this case highlights an important reality for cruise travelers:

Booking through the cruise line does not always mean the cruise line is legally responsible.

For passengers, that makes it especially important to:

• Understand excursion terms and conditions
• Be aware of third-party operators
• Consider travel insurance for added protection

Bottom Line

The lawsuit is still in its early stages, and no findings have been made yet.

However, the case once again raises important questions about how cruise lines present shore excursions—and how much responsibility they ultimately carry when something goes wrong off the ship.