Peter Walsh, founder of The Cruise Injury Law Firm and nationally recognized maritime attorney, is calling on Carnival Cruise Line and the broader cruise industry to urgently overhaul safety measures at their private island resorts following two passengerdrownings at Carnival's newly opened $600 million Celebration Key in the Bahamas.
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In an Orlando Sentinel commentary published today, Walsh warned that the back-to-back deaths of two American tourists-both Carnival passengers-within hours of each other on August 15 reveal not just tragic accidents, but potential systemic failures in lifeguard staffing, emergency response, and safety infrastructure.
“Two drownings in a single day at the same facility is not a fluke. It points to deeper issues in oversight and preparedness,” said Walsh. “When a cruise line builds and operates its own resort, it assumes complete responsibility for passenger safety. You cannot create a controlled paradise without also creating controlled accountability.”
Walsh argues that Carnival has effectively extended its ships onto land, where its duty of care not only continues but arguably increases. Unlike independent ports of call, Celebration Key is entirely designed, staffed, and operated by Carnival, leaving no third party to shoulder liability.
He further noted that juries in U.S. courts will expect cruise lines to meet the highest safety standards when they exercise full control of the environment. The legal, financial, and moral stakes for Carnival-and the industry as a whole-are substantial.
“Passengers don't stop being Carnival's responsibility the moment they step off the ship,” Walsh added. “If anything, Carnival's duty of care should be at its peak. That means independent safety audits, stronger lifeguard protocols, and transparency-not after another tragedy, but now.”
Walsh is urging lawmakers in the U.S. and the Bahamas to consider stricter oversight of private cruise resorts and calling on the industry to proactively implement water safety reforms before more lives are lost.
The full commentary is available in the Orlando Sentinel:Read here
About The Cruise Injury Law Firm
Founded by maritime attorney Peter Walsh, The Cruise Injury Law Firm represents passengers and crew members injured at sea and at cruise-owned destinations worldwide. With decades of experience in maritime law, the firm advocates for safety, accountability, and justice in an industry that carries millions of passengers annually.
Press Contact:Bridget MercuriPublic Relations and Earned Media DirectorAMPLIFYEmail: bridget@amplifyforlawyers.com
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SOURCE The Cruise Injury Law Firm
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