Insider Secrets from a Cruise Ship Lawyer: What Passengers Are Often Too Late to Realize

Ever wonder if that cruise ship you’re boarding is more like a floating hotel or a legal labyrinth disguised as a vacation? With unsettling tales like Amy Bradley’s baffling disappearance still haunting Royal Caribbean decks, it’s about time we stop daydreaming of piña coladas and start thinking about how to keep our loved ones safe at sea. Spencer Aronfeld, a sharp-as-a-tack lawyer who’s made a name battling cruise giants from Carnival to MSC, recently took to TikTok with some hard-hitting advice—stuff that could literally save your vacation from turning into a courtroom drama. So before you pack that sunscreen, maybe check the ship’s flag, watch that late-night wandering, and remember: snapping pics on a cruise might just be your best defense. Curious to dive deeper into these insider tips? LEARN MORE.

With stories like the disappearance of Amy Bradley on board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship fresh in people’s minds, anyone planning on going on a cruise in the near future should know how best to keep themselves safe.

Spencer Aronfeld has made a career out of suing cruise companies on behalf of passengers who’ve been hurt or injured, and he has an important message about how to protect you and your family when sailing out at sea.

Taking to TikTok from his @cruiseshiplawyer account, Aronfeld told his followers he had some ‘important information for you that can protect you and your family.’

“Number one, find out what country your ship is flagged under,” he explained. “The laws of the United States (or whichever country you’re from) may not necessarily protect you in international waters, as the law of the flag state for the ship often governs.”

The next, Aronfeld warns, is to take it easy when it comes to consuming alcohol on the ship. He also advises against wandering around the ship in the middle of the night, claiming this is ‘just looking for trouble’.

“Number three is if you get involved in an incident, report it immediately and demand a copy of the incident report,” the cruise ship lawyer continued.

You should also take photographs and videos of any incidents that occur, and if possible, obtain the names and contact details of any witnesses, including crew members and fellow passengers.

“Because they will make it extremely difficult for you to protect yourself and protect your rights in the event you have to litigate the case,” he added.

Cruise ships are just like floating cities so passengers should approach with the same safety. (Getty Stock Image)

However, one of the most important things to know is that if you do suffer an injury onboard a cruise ship, or you need to sue a cruise line for whatever reason, you may need to travel overseas to do so, depending on where you like.

“These cases, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, Virgin, MSC and others, all require the lawsuits to be filed here in the United States, in Miami, regardless of where you might be from, or even where your cruise went,” he added.

Going on a cruise can be an incredible experience for you and your family. Still, it’s important to treat the ship like a city on the sea and approach it with the same level of caution that you would have while visiting a big city, the lawyer says.