When Accessibility Fails at Sea

Holiday Lawyers • March 24, 2026

Cruise holidays are marketed as safe, inclusive, and accessible — particularly for passengers who rely on wheelchairs. But when basic safety standards are not met, the consequences can be severe.


We are currently acting in a case involving a full-time wheelchair user who suffered a serious injury on a cruise ship, after being thrown from their chair due to a dangerously designed ramp.


What happened?


Our client describes a shocking incident:

“I was thrown from my wheelchair as I went through a door from the promenade. The ramp on the inside was so steep it was more like a step. No signage, no warnings, nothing.”

The key issues are clear:


  • steep internal ramp, effectively functioning as a step
  • No warning signage
  • No hazard markings or staff assistance
  • A location where wheelchair users would reasonably expect safe passage


This is not a minor defect. It is a foreseeable and preventable hazard — particularly in an environment designed to accommodate disabled passengers.


Why cruise operators must get accessibility right


Cruise lines owe a high duty of care to passengers, especially where:


  • Accessibility features are relied upon
  • Passengers are known to have mobility needs
  • Movement between decks and public areas is frequent

In cases like this, liability may arise from:

  • Unsafe design (e.g. excessive ramp gradient)
  • Failure to warn of a hazard
  • Failure to carry out proper risk assessments
  • Failure to comply with accessibility standards


A ramp that behaves like a step — without warning — is a textbook example of a dangerous condition.


The additional failure: ignoring the complaint


Our client did exactly what they should:


  • Reported the incident immediately on return
  • Raised a formal complaint with the cruise line


The response?

Nothing. No communication at all.

This is something we see regularly. Cruise operators often:


  • Delay responses
  • Downplay incidents
  • Hope passengers simply walk away


That is precisely why early legal intervention matters.


Can you claim for a cruise ship injury?


If you have been injured on a cruise, particularly as a wheelchair user or passenger with reduced mobility, you may be entitled to compensation where:


  • The environment was unsafe
  • Proper accessibility measures were not in place
  • You were not warned of a hazard
  • The cruise line failed to respond appropriately


Claims can include:


  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of your holiday
  • Medical expenses
  • Ongoing care or rehabilitation


Why these cases are different


Cruise injury claims are not straightforward.


They often involve:


  • International conventions (such as the Athens Convention)
  • Complex jurisdiction issues
  • Evidence tied to ship design and onboard procedures


That is why it is critical to instruct solicitors who understand:


  • Cruise-specific liability frameworks
  • Accessibility standards at sea
  • How to secure evidence early


Our approach at Holiday Lawyers


We take a direct and proactive approach:


  • Early investigation of the design and layout of the hazard
  • Securing photographic and witness evidence
  • Instructing appropriate engineering and accessibility experts
  • Applying pressure where cruise lines fail to engage


We are not interested in excuses or delays — only outcomes.


If this has happened to you


If you or a family member has suffered an injury on a cruise, particularly involving:


  • Wheelchair access
  • Unsafe ramps or steps
  • Lack of warnings
  • Poor response from the operator


We can help.



Speak to us today


At Holiday Lawyers, we specialise in holding tour operators and cruise companies to account.

If your holiday has been ruined by an avoidable injury, we will pursue the claim properly — and maximise your recovery.

By Holiday Lawyers May 5, 2026
A serious health incident has emerged aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic, with three passengers dead and others critically ill following a suspected hantavirus outbreak. The situation highlights that holiday illness risks are not confined to food poisoning, but can extend to rare and potentially fatal infections where hygiene and safety controls fall below acceptable standards. What happened on the cruise ship? Reports confirm that a 70-year-old passenger became unwell and died onboard, his wife later died after evacuation to hospital, and a third passenger has also died. Another British passenger remains in intensive care. Multiple cases have been identified, with at least one confirmed hantavirus infection. The cruise was travelling from Argentina to Cape Verde when the outbreak occurred. What is hantavirus and why does it matter legally? Hantavirus is a rare but serious infection typically linked to exposure to rodent contamination (droppings, urine, or saliva). Its presence on a cruise ship raises immediate questions about pest control measures, environmental hygiene standards, maintenance of passenger areas, and whether risks were properly identified and managed. If conditions onboard allowed exposure to occur, it may represent a failure in safety systems. Liability in cruise ship illness claims Where illness arises during a cruise or package holiday, liability is governed by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. Cruise operators must ensure that onboard conditions are safe and provided with reasonable care and skill. Where there are failures in hygiene, pest control, environmental safety, or medical response, affected passengers may be entitled to bring a claim. Cruise ship illness claims: beyond food poisoning Most holiday illness claims involve norovirus outbreaks, food poisoning, or contaminated water. However, any illness caused by unsafe conditions during a holiday can form the basis of a claim. The focus is whether the risk should have been prevented, whether proper systems were in place, and whether the operator acted appropriately. Proven experience in cruise illness claims At Holiday Lawyers, our lawyers have extensive experience recovering damages for passengers affected by illness, hygiene failures, and health issues on cruise ships, including cases involving large numbers of affected travellers. Holiday Lawyers is also currently acting for a number of individuals who have experienced issues on cruise ships, reflecting the continued frequency of illness outbreaks and safety concerns within the sector. What should passengers do if they fall ill on a cruise? Passengers should seek medical attention immediately, report symptoms to onboard staff, document conditions where possible, retain medical records and receipts, and avoid signing documents without advice. Early evidence is often decisive. A wider issue in the cruise industry Cruise ships are contained environments where illness can spread rapidly if hygiene or safety systems fail. Operators are expected to maintain robust sanitation protocols, effective pest control systems, and immediate outbreak response procedures. How Holiday Lawyers can assist Holiday Lawyers specialise in serious holiday illness and cruise ship claims, including cases involving hospitalisation, long-term complications, and multi-claimant outbreaks. The focus is on building clear, evidence-driven cases that establish breach and causation. Final thought  This incident is a reminder that cruise illness claims are not limited to minor gastric issues. Where safety systems fail, the consequences can be severe and operators will be expected to answer for those failures.
By Holiday Lawyers April 29, 2026
We are currently instructed by a number of individuals who contracted Salmonella poisoning whilst staying at a resort in Sicily on an all-inclusive package holiday booked through Jet2holidays. Early indications suggest this may form part of a wider outbreak affecting multiple guests at the same hotel . If you were affected, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible. What Has Happened? We have now been contacted by several holidaymakers who report: Severe gastrointestinal illness during or shortly after their stay Confirmed or suspected Salmonella infection Multiple guests at the same resort falling ill at the same time In one case, our client contracted Salmonella poisoning in Sicily and was hospitalised for 8 days upon return to the UK . The situation was made more serious by underlying type 1 diabetes , significantly increasing the risks and complications. We are also aware of at least one fellow guest staying at the same hotel who became seriously ill with the same condition , raising serious concerns about food hygiene and infection control standards at the resort. Why This Matters Salmonella is not a minor illness. It can cause: Severe dehydration Prolonged diarrhoea and vomiting Hospitalisation in serious cases Increased risk where there are underlying health conditions Whilst many travellers reasonably expect high food hygiene standards within European resorts, our experience shows that this is not always the case. Our lawyers have previously acted for a family in a tragic case where a family member died after contracting Salmonella at the Grand Hotel in Italy. That case underlines the fact that, whilst uncommon, the consequences of foodborne illness can be extremely serious where proper standards are not maintained. Where multiple guests fall ill at the same hotel, this often points to systemic failures , such as: Contaminated food or poor food handling practices Inadequate hygiene standards Cross-contamination within buffet or kitchen areas Your Legal Rights If your holiday was booked as a package, your claim is governed by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. In straightforward terms: Your tour operator has a legal responsibility to ensure the hotel is safe You do not need to pursue the hotel abroad Claims are brought in the UK against the package provider Where illness arises due to poor hygiene or unsafe food, that is typically a clear breach of duty . Evidence Is Key If you were affected, the following can materially strengthen your claim: Medical records (UK or abroad) Stool sample confirmation of Salmonella Photographs of food, hygiene issues, or the hotel environment Booking confirmation showing the package provider Details of other guests who were ill Even if you do not have all of the above, you should still get in touch. We can assist in gathering the necessary evidence. A Pattern of Illness One of the most significant factors in cases like this is multiple guests becoming ill at the same resort . Where that pattern emerges, it strengthens: The argument that the illness originated at the hotel The likelihood of a common source outbreak The overall evidential position against the tour operator We are currently assessing whether this situation forms part of a larger cluster of claims . How We Can Help At Holiday Lawyers, we specialise in holiday illness claims , including outbreaks involving Salmonella, E. coli and other gastrointestinal infections. We have acted in claims involving: Major tour operators Large-scale hotel outbreaks High-value claims involving hospitalisation and complications We understand both the medical evidence and the legal framework required to pursue these cases effectively. Get in Touch If you stayed at a resort in Sicily with Jet2holidays and suffered from food poisoning or Salmonella, we would like to hear from you. You may have a claim for compensation, particularly where: You required medical treatment or hospitalisation Other guests were also unwell Your illness disrupted your holiday or recovery on return  Contact Holiday Lawyers today for a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim.