Hawaii Woman Sues Royal Caribbean Over Hidden Camera Found in Stateroom
A Hawaii woman has filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean International, alleging that she discovered a hidden camera in her stateroom during a recent cruise. The lawsuit claims the woman’s privacy was violated, causing her significant distress and raising questions about security measures aboard the popular cruise line.
According to the lawsuit, the woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, noticed an unusual device in her cabin shortly after the cruise departed from Miami. Initially thinking it was part of the room’s standard electronics, she grew suspicious when she noticed what appeared to be a hidden lens in the device. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a camera covertly placed in a location that provided a view of the room’s sleeping and changing areas.
Shocked and disturbed, she immediately reported the incident to the ship’s security team. The lawsuit claims that the crew confirmed the presence of a hidden recording device in her room, though the origins of the device and its intended purpose remain unclear. The woman was offered a different room, but the emotional impact of the discovery, she alleges, continued to affect her for the remainder of the trip.
The lawsuit, filed in Hawaii state court, accuses Royal Caribbean of negligence, invasion of privacy, and infliction of emotional distress. The woman’s attorney, Mark Tanaka, stated, “Our client boarded the ship with the expectation of safety and privacy. Discovering a hidden camera in her stateroom was a traumatic violation of that trust. This lawsuit is about holding Royal Caribbean accountable and ensuring that this does not happen to anyone else.”
In a statement, Royal Caribbean International expressed their concern and indicated that they are fully cooperating with the investigation. “The safety and security of our guests is our top priority. We take allegations like this very seriously and are conducting a thorough review of the situation,” the cruise line said.
The case raises broader concerns about privacy on cruise ships, where thousands of passengers reside in close quarters, often without direct access to outside assistance. Travel industry analysts suggest that while hidden cameras are rare on cruise lines, this case highlights the need for increased security protocols to ensure passenger privacy.
As the case unfolds, the plaintiff’s attorney indicated that they would pursue answers about who installed the camera, how long it had been in place, and whether any recordings had been transmitted or stored. For now, the woman says she is committed to seeing her case through to raise awareness about privacy protections and ensure greater accountability within the cruise industry.
