Being injured while on holiday can be difficult, but there are actions you can take while still on board and once you return home that may help with a future claim. Cruise ship operators have a duty of care to their passengers, and under the Athens Convention 1974 where there is international carriage, they can be held responsible for injury or loss at sea. This convention makes carriers liable if harm occurs during the voyage as a result of their fault or neglect, though liability may be limited unless the incident involved recklessness.

In this blog post, our cruise ship accidents team provides clear guidance on these issues and explains how the law works to protect your rights as a cruise ship passenger.

Common Cruise Ship Injuries

Passengers can experience a wide range of injuries while on a cruise liner. Sprains, fractures and broken bones are frequently reported, as are head injuries. Many of these occur as a result of slips, trips and falls, particularly in areas where safety standards have not been met. Slippery decks, poorly maintained flooring, inadequate lighting or unattended hazards can all contribute to cruise ship accidents of this kind.

Beyond these, other injuries are also common. Back and neck injuries may follow a heavy fall, and soft tissue damage such as bruising or ligament tears can leave passengers in discomfort for weeks. Cuts and lacerations can happen where surfaces or fixtures are poorly maintained. In more serious cases, passengers may sustain traumatic injuries that require urgent hospital treatment, either at the next port or through emergency evacuation from the ship.

The impact of these injuries can extend beyond the holiday itself. Recovery time often continues once passengers are back home, with ongoing medical treatment, physiotherapy or rehabilitation required. In some cases, people live with long-term pain or reduced mobility, which can affect their ability to return to normal routines.

Actions to Take Straight After Being Injured on a Cruise Liner

Being injured on a cruise liner can be painful and distressing, and the steps you take immediately afterwards may affect the strength of any future claim. Acting quickly while still on board helps to protect your position, ensures the injury is properly recorded, and gives you the best chance of accessing the right care.

Seek medical attention

Your health must always come first. Cruise ships usually have medical staff and a small medical centre to deal with common injuries and illnesses. Depending on how serious your injury is, you may need to be transferred to a hospital at the next port or, in very severe cases, evacuated by helicopter to receive specialist care. Accept treatment promptly and keep copies of any records given to you.

Report the incident

Report the accident to the ship’s staff as soon as possible and make sure it is logged at the ship’s medical centre. Ask for a written copy of the official incident report, making sure it clearly sets out your injuries, the symptoms you reported, and any treatment you received. Retain a copy for yourself, as this can form an important part of the evidence later.

Find witnesses

If anyone else saw what happened, take their names and contact details. Where possible, ask them to provide a brief written account of what they witnessed. Independent witness statements can be extremely valuable in showing how the incident occurred and supporting your version of events.

Document everything

Keep detailed records from the start. This should include receipts for medical expenses, notes of the treatment you received, and copies of any medical reports. Photographs can also be very useful - take pictures of your injuries, the place where the accident happened, and anything that may have contributed to it, such as a hazard or defect.

Keep communications

If you communicate with the cruise line or its representatives, keep a record of all correspondence, including emails, letters, or notes of conversations. These communications may later become relevant to your case.

Don’t sign without advice

Cruise operators sometimes offer early settlements or present documents for you to sign. These may appear straightforward but could restrict your right to bring a claim in the future. Do not sign anything without first seeking independent legal advice.

Pursuing Cruise Ship Injury Claims Once Back Home

Once you are back home, the next stage is to instruct solicitors with experience in cruise ship injury claims. They will assess the circumstances of your case in line with maritime law and the Athens Convention 1974. Your solicitor will review the incident reports, medical records, photographs and witness details you collected on board, and advise on any further evidence that may strengthen your position.

Specialist solicitors will take over all communication with the cruise operator or their insurer. This includes submitting a formal letter of claim, requesting disclosure of relevant documents and dealing with responses on your behalf. They will also arrange for you to be examined by independent medical experts, providing a clear record of your injuries and the impact they have on your daily life. Where appropriate, interim support can be sought to cover the cost of treatment or rehabilitation before the claim concludes.

The claims process can involve negotiation, but if liability is disputed or settlement cannot be reached, your solicitor will be prepared to issue court proceedings. Having a legal team manage the process means deadlines are met, the right procedures are followed, and your case is presented as strongly as possible.

What do Cruise Ship Compensation Claims Cover?

Cruise ship compensation claims cover more than just the immediate cost of medical treatment. They are intended to reflect the full impact of your injury and to put you back, as far as possible, in the position you would have been in if the accident had not happened.

This can include the cost of rehabilitation, physiotherapy and any ongoing care needs. Loss of earnings may also be taken into account if your injury prevents you from working or affects your ability to return to your role. Out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel costs to medical appointments or specialist equipment needed during recovery, can also form part of a claim.

Where an injury has a long-term impact, cruise ship accident claims compensation can cover future treatment, adaptations to your home or workplace, and the support needed to help you live as independently as possible. Each cruise ship injury case is assessed on its own facts, with the aim of achieving a settlement that reflects the short and long-term effects of the injury.