Guests File Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean Over Secret Camera Scandal

A lawsuit has been filed against Royal Caribbean International and a former stateroom attendant following allegations of hidden cameras used to record passengers aboard the Symphony of the Seas.

The suit, filed on December 30, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, includes 12 plaintiffs, among them children, claiming they were victims of the invasive surveillance.

Hidden Cameras Discovered

The incident dates back to an 8-day Southern Caribbean cruise that departed Port Everglades on February 24, 2024. A passenger discovered a hidden camera under her bathroom sink, prompting ship security to investigate. The accused, 34-year-old stateroom attendant Arvin Joseph Mirasol, was detained on board and later arrested when the ship returned to Port Everglades on March 3, 2024.

Mirasol, a native of the Philippines, pleaded guilty in August 2024 and is now serving a 30-year federal prison sentence for his actions.

Lawsuit Details

The plaintiffs, represented by Aronfeld Trial Lawyers, are seeking financial and punitive damages, accusing Royal Caribbean of negligence and breach of good faith. According to court filings, Mirasol reportedly filmed passengers in staterooms and bathrooms on cruises between December 2023 and February 2024.

The lawsuit claims Royal Caribbean failed to inform guests who had stayed in cabins serviced by Mirasol, potentially leaving more than 900 passengers unaware of the possibility they were filmed.

“The fact that many victims still do not know how or if their images have been distributed is deeply troubling,” said attorney Spencer Aronfeld. “Some of the plaintiffs are children, and once an image is on the internet, it’s there forever.”

Allegations of Concealment

The lawsuit further accuses Royal Caribbean of withholding information about Mirasol’s actions to minimize financial fallout. The cruise line’s alleged failure to notify affected passengers is described as a breach of its “implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.”

Royal Caribbean has not issued a statement regarding the lawsuit, as is common with ongoing legal matters.

Broader Implications for Cruise Safety

This case has raised concerns about passenger safety and the hiring practices of cruise lines. Aronfeld hopes the lawsuit will push cruise operators to enhance screening processes for employees to prevent similar incidents.

The plaintiffs, who hail from Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, and Georgia, describe suffering lasting emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

With the lawsuit seeking a jury trial, it remains to be seen how this case will unfold. For now, it underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability aboard cruise ships.

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