Key Aspects:
- A cruise family has sued Norwegian Cruise Line more than a year after a drowning death.
- The lawsuit alleges negligence in that NCL did not properly inform guests of hazards for a swimming tour.
- Drowning deaths happen for a variety of reasons, but how much responsibility does a cruise line have?
Every cruise traveler hopes they will come home with happy memories of fun in the sun and enjoying time together. For one family, however, their memories of sailing aboard Norwegian Getaway are anything but happy.
Now, the family has filed a lawsuit against Norwegian Cruise Line that alleges a variety of negligent actions that directly contributed to a drowning death.
The family – father, mother, two young sons, and grandmother – were enjoying the 7-night Bermuda sailing that had departed on March 24, 2024, when tragedy struck on an otherwise picture-perfect beach day.
Hyon Duk Shin, his wife Yanli Gong, their two sons, and Shin’s mother, Kwang Shin were all traveling together. According to The Royal Gazette, the family booked what was advertised as an “easy” excursion to Horseshoe Bay on March 27, 2024.
The crescent-shaped, iconic pink-sand beach on Bermuda’s south shore is a tourist hotspot popular for snorkeling and swimming, just a 30-minute drive from the cruise terminal.
Dangerous rip currents that day, combined with a lack of lifeguards due to being outside of the busiest cruising season, led to a horrific chain of events.
The father and his sons were snorkeling in shallow waters when, just before 3 p.m., Shin noticed a girl drifting away from the beach due to undertow currents. He swam out to her, but after rescuing the girl, was himself overcome by the current.
Shin’s wife and mother saw that he was drifting and appeared unconscious. The women yelled for help, but there were no lifeguards on duty that afternoon. A local bystander managed to bring Shin to shore, but was unable to resuscitate him and he passed.
The young boys, ages 7 and 9 at the time, witnessed their father’s drowning. That traumatic event will far outshadow any positive memories the family may have made on what they had undoubtedly hoped would have been a happy vacation.
On March 25, 2025, the legal case was originally filed against Norwegian Cruise Line. The details of the case includes various allegations, such as:
- The tour was described as “easy” and did not mention dangerous currents in the region.
- The ship was visiting outside the established tourist season and therefore fewer lifeguards were available.
- The cruise line did not disclose other recent drowning deaths in the region.
The lawsuit states that “NCL had notice of these dangerous conditions through public warnings from multiple government entities, available weather and sea condition forecasts, a variety of cruise passenger reports and prior similar incidents.”
Had the family been aware of the dangers, they may not have booked the excursion and the tragic incident would never have occurred.
Excursion Still Being Offered
More than a year after Shin’s death, Norwegian Cruise Line continues to offer shore excursions to Horseshoe Bay.
The “Horseshoe Bay Beach Transfer” is described on the cruise line’s website as an opportunity to “soak up the sun, swim in the crystal clear water or just relax in the pink sand.”
The excursion is listed as an easy Level 1 tour that may “involve walking over relatively level terrain, possibly some cobblestone, gravel, or a few steps.”
No mention of currents, rip tides, or swimming dangers are noted, though the excursion is labeled as a “Beach/Swimming” tour.
Of course, cruise guests always assume responsibility for their own safety even on recommended tours.
Any traveler should be acutely aware of nearby conditions. At a beach, this might include slippery surfaces, rough surf, stinging jellyfish, or the potential for dangerous currents.
Drownings, while tragic for everyone involved, do occasionally happen. Just days ago, two cruise guests drowned in separate incidents at Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s new private Bahamian destination.
Earlier in August, an elderly Vietnamese couple drowned on Milos in Greece when strong winds and rough waves caused them to fall into the ocean, though they were not on a swimming or water activity tour.
Read Also: Who Owns Norwegian Cruise Line?
Medical emergencies and poor weather can contribute to drowning incidents, as can guests underestimating their swimming capabilities or overall physical condition.
This lawsuit, if successful, may prompt changes to beach signage or tour descriptions so guests can feel better informed when choosing shore excursions.
