Princess Cruises Sued After Theatre Seat Collapse Injures Guest

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A Princess Cruises guest has filed a lawsuit against the cruise line after suffering injuries when a seat collapsed during an onboard theatre performance earlier this year.

Princess Cruises theatre chair broken
Chair image credit: TMZ

The legal claim was lodged in December by Marie Cassano, who is seeking compensation following an incident that occurred during her January 2025 cruise. The specific Princess Cruises ship involved has not been publicly identified.

According to the lawsuit, Cassano was seated in the ship’s main theatre when her “seat suddenly came apart and collapsed, causing her severe and permanent injuries.” Details of the injuries have not been disclosed publicly.

Princess Cruises, which is owned by Carnival Corporation, has not issued a public comment on the case.

Lawsuit Alleges Faulty Seating Was Known Risk

Cassano’s claim argues that Princess Cruises either knew, or should have known, that the chair was defective and failed to take adequate steps to prevent guests from using it.

An image of the damaged seat, first published by TMZ, shows the chair broken and resting on the floor, with yellow caution tape placed across the area to prevent other passengers from sitting there.

The lawsuit raises questions about onboard maintenance and whether the condition of the seating had been identified before the incident occurred.

Adding to those concerns, other Princess Cruises guests have since reported similar issues with theatre seating on different sailings, although it is unclear whether these reports are directly connected to Cassano’s case.

Interior view of the Princess Theatre on a Princess cruise ship, showcasing a sea of purple seats facing a large stage with a red curtain and a screen displaying 'Princess Theatre'. The ceiling is dotted with lights, enhancing the venue's vibrant atmosphere.

“I had to look twice at the provided photo, because that same seat on the opposite side has been broken since we boarded the Royal on 11/29,” one recent Royal Princess guest said after learning about the lawsuit.

“There’s not even a ‘We’re on it!’ sign on it (as there are many on board),” they continued.

Princess Cruises operates large theatres that typically seat between 900 and 1,000 guests, making constant pre-show inspection of every individual seat impractical. Cruise ships also operate continuously, 24 hours a day throughout the year, which increases wear and tear across public venues.

While cruise lines generally maintain that they follow strict safety and maintenance procedures, incidents such as this can still occur. In cases involving passenger injuries, guests are typically offered medical assistance onboard and an incident report is filed as part of standard procedure.

Latest In A Series Of Cruise Line Injury Claims

Legal action is an unavoidable reality for companies operating in the cruise industry, particularly those carrying thousands of passengers at a time. Princess Cruises has faced multiple injury-related lawsuits in recent years.

On 7th November 2025, another lawsuit was filed against the cruise line in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida. That case was brought by Elizabeth Knigge, who alleges she slipped and fell onboard Enchanted Princess during a July 2024 sailing after encountering a greasy or oily substance on a stairway between Deck 16 and Deck 18.

Princess Cruises is not alone in facing legal scrutiny. Royal Caribbean is currently dealing with a wrongful death lawsuit related to a 2024 incident aboard Navigator of the Seas, in which a passenger, Michael Virgil, allegedly died after being overserved alcohol.

Carnival Corporation has also faced recent legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed in November by two passengers who claim they encountered a bedbug infestation during their cruise.

As Cassano’s case proceeds, it adds to a growing list of legal claims highlighting the ongoing safety and liability challenges faced by the cruise industry.

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