The proposed class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of a pseudonymous “Jane Doe” plaintiff and “all other similarly situated passengers.” Attorneys for Doe say that a former Royal Caribbean employee, Arvin Joseph Mirasol, captured images of the guest “while undressed and engaging in private activities” during a February cruise on the Symphony of the Seas.
A Royal Caribbean International passenger has filed a lawsuit against the cruise company, claiming that an employee placed hidden cameras inside of her cabin’s bathroom.
According to USA Today, the proposed class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of a pseudonymous “Jane Doe” plaintiff and “all other similarly situated passengers.” Attorneys for Doe say that a former Royal Caribbean employee, Arvin Joseph Mirasol, captured images of the guest “while undressed and engaging in private activities” during a February cruise on the Symphony of the Seas.
The 32-page complaint states that, after undertaking an investigation, law enforcement officials “discovered numerous videos of naked females undressing in the bathroom as well as child pornography.”
Aside from concealing cameras inside of guests’ bathrooms, Mirasol told investigators that, “while [guests] were taking a shower, he would enter the rooms and hide under the bed while recording them naked with his cellular device.”
Mirasol, adds USA Today, was recently sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for filming guests, including children. He is still facing pending charges in the state of Florida.
“Upon information and belief, Mirasol transmitted and/or uploaded images of the Plaintiff while undressed and engaging in private activities, to third parties and/or to the world wide web, including, but not limited to, the dark web, without Plaintiff’s prior knowledge or consent,” the lawsuit alleges.
The complaint seeks compensation for a wide range of damages, including the infliction of emotional distress and associated physical pain and suffering.
Attorneys for Doe say that Royal Caribbean knew, or should have known, that “sexual assaults were reasonably foreseeable considering the prevalence of sexual assaults aboard RCCL’s cruise ships.” This statement, notes USA Today, is in reference to another instance of voyeurism reported aboard the Harmony of Seas vessel.
“This is already a known industry problem and not just hidden cameras being an issue [sic] and it’s happened on virtually every other cruise line but also rapes and sexual assaults at sea,” attorney Michael Winkleman told NBC News.
Winkleman also presented an argument for Royal Caribbean’s liability.
“I think Royal Caribbean had a moral obligation to notify all the passengers that likely could’ve been affected [and] they didn’t do that, now [that] the notice is out there,” he said.
A representative for Royal Caribbean has since emphasized that the company has fully cooperated with law enforcement investigations.
“The safety and privacy of our guests is the highest priority, and we have zero tolerance for this behavior,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement. “We immediately reported this case to law enforcement and terminated the crew member. As this is pending litigation, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
Sources
Royal Caribbean facing lawsuit after ex-crew member put hidden cameras in state rooms
Royal Caribbean passenger sues, claims hidden camera placed in her cabin
Royal Caribbean passenger sues cruise line over hidden camera in cabin bathroom
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