Cruise ship injury and illness claims

If you have been injured or suffered an illness onboard a cruise ship, you could be entitled to make a cruise ship accident compensation claim.

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Cruise Ship Accident Claims

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence while travelling on a cruise ship, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Cruise ship accident claims can arise from incidents such as slips, trips and falls, illnesses from food poisoning and accidents during organised excursions.

When you go on a cruise, you are entitled to expect a safe and relaxing holiday with your friends or family. Cruise operators and staff owe passengers a legal duty of care to provide a safe environment, both on board and during organised activities.

If this duty is breached, and an avoidable injury occurs, you may be able to claim compensation for your pain, suffering and financial losses. The first step is to speak to an experienced cruise injury solicitor, who will assess your case and advise whether you are eligible to claim under a no win no fee agreement.

For a free consultation, call 0800 470 0474 today or enter your details into our online claim form to request a call back.

Key points about cruise ship accident claims

Can I claim for an injury on a cruise?
You may be able to claim if you were injured on board a cruise ship due to unsafe conditions, poor maintenance or staff negligence.
Who is liable?
The cruise operator could be held responsible, especially if safety rules were not followed.
Is there a time limit?
Yes, cruise injury claims often need to be made within 2 years under international maritime law.
How much compensation might I receive?
It depends on your injury, the impact on your holiday and health, and any financial losses, such as time off work.
Do I pay anything?
Claims are usually handled on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay your solicitor a fee if your case is successful.

If you would like to speak to a legal adviser about making a claim, call free on 0800 470 0474 or click here to request a call back.

Find out if you can claim

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Table of Contents

Am I eligible to make a cruise ship accident claim?

You may be able to make a cruise ship claim if the following requirements can be established:

The cruise company owed you a duty of care.
This duty was breached through negligence.
You suffered an injury or illness as a direct result.
You are within the legal time limit to start a claim.

You can easily verify your eligibility during a free case review with a specialist personal injury lawyer. If you can proceed, they will take on your claim on a no win no fee basis and guide you through all the steps of the claims process.

Liability for cruise ship accidents under the Athens Convention

Usually, the cruise ship owner or operator is liable for accidents that take place on a cruise ship. Cruise ship accidents are governed by the Athens Convention, an international treaty adopted in 1974 that sets out liability for loss, damage, or injuries suffered by passengers at sea.

Key aspects of this Convention, officially known as the Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, include the following:

Cruise liner companies must hold compulsory insurance to cover personal injuries.
Cruise ship operators are liable for accidents that occur on board the ship or while embarking or disembarking caused by the negligence of staff or agents.
Passengers can choose where to start a claim, including their country of residence, the country where the company is based, where they departed from or where they have arrived.
It sets a limitation period to pursue a claim for an accident, which is two years after disembarking.
Cruise companies can avoid liability if they can prove that the damage was caused by the negligence of the passenger or an act of a third party for which they are not responsible.

What is the time limit to start a cruise ship claim?

Unlike most personal injury claims, claims for accidents on board a cruise ship are not typically bound by the Limitation Act 1980. Under the Athens Convention, the time limit to start a cruise ship claim is two years. According to Article 16.2, this starts to run:

From the date you disembarked the ship.
In case of a fatal injury, from the date when the passenger should have disembarked.
In case of an injury resulting in death after disembarkation, from the date of death.

The rules on extension or suspension of the limitation period can be complex in Athens Convention claims, so it is important to seek legal advice as early as possible.

How much compensation can I claim for an injury or illness on a cruise?

It is difficult to say from the outset how much you can claim if you are injured or become ill on a cruise ship. The final compensation award will depend on several factors and will include two types of damages:

General damages cover the subjective impact of the injury on your life, such as physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Special damages cover economic losses and out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages during recovery and the cost of your cruise.

Examples of cruise ship compensation payouts

The compensation for general damages is calculated based on the type and severity of the harm you suffered. Based on the guidelines published by the Judicial College and our compensation calculator, you could receive:

Injury Type	Average Payout
Food poisoning, ranging from mild gastrointestinal issues to severe toxicosis	£4,820 to £64,070
Ankle injuries, such as simple fractures, sprains and tendon injuries	Up to £16,770
Head injuries, with the highest amount for a severe brain injury and a vegetative state	£1,760 to £493,000
Back injuries that range from sprains and strains to spinal cord trauma with possible paralysis	£1,960 to £196,450
Severe wrist injuries leading to significant loss of function	£29,900 to £47,810
Leg fractures, ranging from complete recovery to long-term mobility issues	Up to £33,880
Mildly severe arm injuries, such as simple fractures of the forearm	£8,060 to £23,430
Bodily scarring, with no severe internal injuries	Around £10,550

How do I make a cruise ship holiday accident claim?

There are a few easy steps involved in making a claim for cruise ship injuries. A specialist holiday claims solicitor will guide you through each step with empathy and clarity:

1. A free initial assessment and case review

The first step is to seek legal advice by calling free on 0800 470 0474 or requesting a call back. You will discuss the details of what happened and receive no-obligation legal advice. If you have a valid case, a solicitor will be appointed for you.

2. Gathering evidence

Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate what happened and help you gather evidence to support your claim, such as witness statements, medical records, financial documents, and specialist reports.

3. Submitting your claim

Once all the evidence is gathered, a letter of claim will be submitted to the defendant, outlining the details of your case and the compensation award you seek from them. If they admit liability, your solicitor will engage in negotiations to reach a fair settlement.

4. Court proceedings

If negotiations fail or the cruise line operator denies liability, your solicitor may need to go to court and argue your case before a judge based on the available evidence. Negotiations will continue until the trial date, and most claims are settled out of court.

5. Settling the claim

If you win the claim, either through negotiation or court proceedings, you will receive your compensation. If you lose, your solicitor will advise you on whether to appeal the court’s decision.

Can I make a No Win No Fee cruise ship accident claim?

Yes. If you are entitled to claim compensation, our team of travel solicitors will offer you a no win no fee service. A conditional fee agreement is the preferred way to start your claim, as it allows you access to legal representation without taking any financial risks.

If the claim is successful, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation awarded as their fee. This is known as a success fee and cannot exceed 25% of your award for general damages and past financial losses. If you lose, you do not have to pay them anything.

Common types of cruise ship accident and injury claims

While cruise ships are typically safe and relaxing, accidents can occur if cruise lines fail in their duty of care to passengers. Some of the most common situations that may lead to cruise ship accident claims include:

Slips, trips and falls on wet decks or uneven surfaces, leading to sprains, strains or broken bones.
Swimming pool accidents resulting in near-drowning, head injuries or chemical burns.
Defective furniture or equipment causing crush injuries or laceration injuries.
Fires and electrical hazards causing burn injuries, electrocution or respiratory issues.
Food poisoning and allergic reactions caused by contaminated food or poor hygiene practices.
Criminal injuries, such as physical or sexual assaults by other passengers or crew members.
Accidents during excursions leading to back injuries, broken legs or concussion injuries.
Medical negligence onboard, such as misdiagnosis or inadequate treatment.
Fatal accidents on cruise ships can result from falls, falling overboard, medical emergencies, collisions, and other incidents.

You can also seek compensation for any psychological issues resulting from a traumatic incident, such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Examples of negligence on a cruise ship that could lead to a compensation claim

Your cruise ship injuries could have resulted from various types of negligence from various parties, such as:

Failing to install or maintain safety barriers.
Failure to warn about known hazards, such as wet floors or missing handrails.
Lack of lifeguards at swimming pools or adequate medical staff on board.
Insufficient training of employees.
Poor maintenance of facilities, the ship’s engines and other critical systems.
Failing to implement sufficient security measures to prevent criminal acts.
Failure to maintain hygiene standards, leading to infections and illnesses.
Serving food that is improperly stored, prepared, or cooked.

These and other types of negligence can entitle you to claim compensation for an injury on a cruise ship.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim compensation for cruise ship food poisoning?

Yes. You may be able to start a cruise ship illness claim if you suffer from food poisoning on holiday due to negligence, such as poor hygiene, unsafe food handling or contaminated food or water on board.

These and other unsafe practices can cause passengers to be made sick by germs such as:

E. coli
Norovirus
Legionnaires’ disease
Salmonella
Campylobacter
Cryptosporidium
Staphylococcus aureus

These pathogens can cause symptoms ranging from mild nausea and vomiting to severe complications like bloody diarrhoea, neurological symptoms, and life-threatening conditions.

Can I make a claim as a cruise ship employee?

Yes, you could make an accident at work claim if you suffered an injury in the course of your job. Your employer must follow the relevant health and safety guidelines and take all reasonable measures to protect you from harm, such as:

Carry out regular risk assessments.
Practice good housekeeping.
Keep all equipment and machinery safe for use.
Provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Offer comprehensive training and instructions.

A breach of duty may entitle you to make a claim for compensation following a cruise ship accident that wasn’t your fault.

What steps should I take if I am injured on a cruise ship?

If you have been injured on a cruise ship and you want to make a compensation claim, you should take the following steps:

Seek medical attention immediately.
Report the accident to the ship crew.
Gather evidence such as photos, videos, and witness details.
Keep track of financial losses and expenses.

Speaking to a specialist cruise ship accident lawyer early on can help protect your right to make a personal injury claim and help you seek compensation.

What evidence do I need to support a cruise ship injury claim?

To make a successful cruise ship accident or illness claim, you should aim to gather the following:

Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries.
Medical records and treatment notes.
A copy of an accident report filed with the ship’s staff.
Witness names and contact details for future statements.
CCTV or video footage, if available.
A diary about your recovery, missed activities and impact on daily life.
Proof of financial losses, such as receipts and medical bills.

Can I make a cruise ship compensation claim on behalf of a loved one?

Yes. You may be able to make a cruise ship claim for injuries sustained by a loved one if they are:

A child under 18 years of age.
An adult who lacks mental capacity and is a protected party under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

To make a cruise ship illness claim for a loved one, you will need to act as their litigation friend.

Read more: What is a litigation friend?

How long will my case take to settle?

There is no set time limit to settle a cruise accident claim. In most cases, claims will be resolved within 12 to 18 months, while more complex or severe cases could take longer.

Your solicitor will aim to settle your case as quickly as possible without compromising the outcome. They may also be able to secure interim payments if the defendant has admitted liability or if you have strong evidence against them.

To learn more about cruise ship accident claims and how to secure compensation for your injuries, call 0800 470 0474 today for a free initial consultation or use our contact form to request a call back.

Last edited on 16th Apr 2026

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.