Carnival Passenger Who Lost Both Legs in Bahamas Excursion Is Now Suing

A Carnival cruise meant to celebrate a major life moment has become the center of a serious federal lawsuit.

Hannah Smith, a former Carnival guest and recent college graduate, was visiting Nassau, Bahamas, during a sailing on Carnival Celebration when a shore excursion to Pearl Island’s Sun Cay Beach Club ended in a life-changing accident.

A young woman, Hannah Smith, in a white graduation outfit and red stole poses beside a large bear statue on a sports field. — Hannah Smith (GoFundMe)

According to legal filings, Smith was caught in the propellers of a ferry used during the excursion on May 12, 2025. She suffered severe injuries, underwent 25 surgeries, and lost both of her legs.

Smith is now suing Carnival Corporation, along with Sun Cay and Pearl Investment Management Group, alleging negligence connected to the excursion. Her friend and travel companion, Brooklyn Pitre, has also filed a separate related lawsuit.

The case was first filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on December 17, 2025, and later amended on March 11, 2026.

What the Lawsuit Claims Happened in Nassau

Smith’s lawsuit says the day took a dangerous turn after she and her companions were allegedly encouraged to consume large amounts of alcohol during the excursion.

The complaint claims the women were led into a private cabana, where they were offered complimentary high-proof alcohol and marijuana. It also alleges that tour employees performed “liter pours,” with alcohol poured directly into guests’ mouths from bottles.

According to the lawsuit, at least some of the drinks were allegedly spiked. Smith’s blood alcohol level was later reported as 0.447, far above the 0.08 legal driving limit used in Florida.

Five cruise ships docked at Nassau Cruise Port with turquoise water surrounding the harbor.

These are allegations at this stage, and they have not been proven in court.

On the return ferry to Nassau, Smith allegedly asked a crew member where the restroom was and was told to “use the water,” with staff reportedly motioning toward the aft dive platforms. Earlier on the island, the lawsuit says she had also been told, “the ocean is your toilet.”

According to the complaint, Smith entered the water from the aft of the ferry while holding onto a railing. The lawsuit alleges the captain then engaged the engine, causing the propeller to pull her under the vessel.

“She suddenly felt her lower extremities being sucked under the vessel,” the complaint states.

Pitre helped pull Smith from the water, according to the lawsuit. The complaint describes severe injuries to both legs, including a traumatic amputation injury below the knee and serious injuries to her right leg.

Smith’s Injuries and Recovery

The injuries described in the lawsuit are severe.

Smith was first treated at a hospital in Nassau before being airlifted to Miami for further care.

According to the lawsuit, she arrived in hypovolemic shock after losing more than 60% of her blood supply. She underwent more than 25 surgeries over the next two months.

Doctors reportedly made repeated efforts to save her right leg, but the lawsuit says she eventually required three successive amputations, ending in a full hip disarticulation on June 23, 2025.

Smith was discharged on July 18, 2025, and transferred to a rehabilitation facility. The complaint says she now faces a lifetime of prosthetics, physical therapy, and ongoing psychological care.

Why Carnival Is Named in the Case

Smith’s attorneys argue that Carnival should share responsibility because the cruise line sold and promoted the excursion to its guests.

The lawsuit claims Carnival marketed the tour as a safe and vetted experience. It also argues that the company should have known about alleged warning signs, including public reviews about ferry conditions dating back to 2023 and social media posts about alcohol service during the tour going back to 2018.

Carnival’s position is different.

Carnival Celebration cruise ship docked in the Port of Miami with the city's skyline in the background during a sunset.

The cruise line’s shore excursion terms state that independent contractors operate shore excursions, including related transportation. Carnival’s terms also say the company sells these activities “as a convenience to Guests only.”

The same terms say Carnival is not responsible for “any losses, damage, death, injuries, or claims whatsoever” connected to activities guests take part in while off the ship, including shore excursions.

Carnival also gave a statement after the lawsuit drew public attention.

“Our thoughts are with Ms. Smith, and we wish her strength and healing,” the cruise line said. “At Carnival Cruise Line, we continuously strive to keep our guest and crew safe as a priority. Out of respect for ongoing legal proceedings, we are unable to comment further. We remain committed to supporting safety and wellbeing in all we do.”

Carnival has sought to have the case dismissed, arguing that the excursion was run by independent Bahamian companies rather than the cruise line itself. Pearl Investment Management Group has also challenged the lawsuit, arguing that a Florida court does not have jurisdiction over a Bahamian business operating in The Bahamas.

That leaves the court to sort through a familiar but complicated cruise question: when a cruise line sells a shore excursion, how much responsibility does it carry if something goes badly wrong off the ship?

The Excursion Still Appears on Carnival’s Website

The “Sun Cay Beach Club with Lunch” excursion is still listed on Carnival’s website.

Carnival’s current listing describes it as a five-hour Nassau excursion with a 30-minute boat ride to Sun Cay Beach Club on Pearl Island. The tour includes beach time, lunch, access to an inflatable water park, and a beach chair.

The listing also notes several restrictions. It says the tour is not accessible for guests using wheelchairs, canes, rollators, or other mobility devices. It also says guests should be able to walk independently on uneven surfaces and sand, navigate stairs, and board and get off vessels without assistance.

For now, Smith’s claims remain allegations in an active legal case. No final ruling has determined who, if anyone, is legally responsible.

But the lawsuit is already drawing attention from cruisers because it touches on something many passengers assume without thinking too much about it: when you book a shore excursion through your cruise line, what exactly has the cruise line promised you?