Royal Caribbean Injury Claims Often Require Filing in Miami Due to Ticket Clauses
For passengers injured on Royal Caribbean cruises, filing a lawsuit often requires traveling to Miami, Florida, due to forum selection clauses in their tickets. These clauses, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in Carnival Cruise Lines v. Shute (1991), dictate that legal actions must be filed in a specific court, typically in Miami for major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean. This requirement can be challenging for injured parties who live far from Florida. The ticket contract also sets strict deadlines for filing claims, often requiring written notice within six months and lawsuits within one year. Despite these constraints, federal law prohibits cruise lines from waiving liability for their own negligence, ensuring passengers can still hold them accountable for injuries. 
