Lawsuit Filed Against NCL After Bermuda Beach Tragedy

Norwegian Cruise Line faces a lawsuit following the death of a passenger who drowned during a Bermuda excursion last year.

The family claims the cruise line failed to warn them of the risks at Horseshoe Bay, despite marketing the trip as safe and straightforward.

The Fatal Excursion

On 27th March 2024, passenger Hyon Duk Shin joined his wife, children, and mother on an NCL-organised beach transfer.

While snorkelling, he noticed a child in difficulty and swam to help.

Though he managed to save her, he was caught in a rip current and dragged out himself.

With no lifeguards on duty that day, help came too late.

A bystander brought him to shore, but he could not be revived. His family, including his two young sons, witnessed the incident.

Claims Made in Court

Filed earlier in 2025, the lawsuit argues that Norwegian Cruise Line should have known the risks and disclosed them.

Allegations include:

• Mislabeling the tour as “easy,” omitting warnings about strong currents.
• Failing to provide notice that lifeguards were absent outside the high season.
• Neglecting to share information about previous drownings and official warnings.

The case asserts that this lack of transparency directly led to Shin’s death.

Excursion Still Advertised

Norwegian Cruise Line has not withdrawn Horseshoe Bay from its offerings.

The beach transfer remains available on the company’s website, described as a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing, without any reference to rip currents.

Broader Pattern of Drowning Incidents

This is not an isolated tragedy.

Earlier this month, two cruise passengers died in separate drownings at Carnival’s Celebration Key in the Bahamas, while a Vietnamese couple also drowned on the Greek island of Milos.

These events highlight how quickly medical issues, rough seas, or overestimating swimming ability can turn deadly.

The outcome of this case may determine whether cruise operators take further steps to warn guests about beach safety in excursion descriptions.