How Many Passengers Disappear from Cruise Ships Each Year?

May 14, 2014 / 12:13 pm

Since 2000, nearly 200 passengers have gone missing from cruise ships. It is the cruise line’s responsibility to keep passengers safe and fully investigate disappearances. Our lawyers hold ship operators responsible when they fail to act appropriately after receiving a missing passenger report.

If the cruise line cannot find the missing person after a reasonable amount of time, the cruise ship must go back to the last known location where the person was seen. Cruise lines and their employees who fail to perform these actions or act negligently in the events leading up to and after the disappearances of passengers may be held accountable in the court of law.

The Man Overboard List by Travel Page reveals shocking statistics about the prevalence of falling overboard on cruise ships from 2000 to the present. According to their statistics:

  • Not everyone who fell overboard died. Approximately ten of those who went overboard since 2000 were rescued, and one person survived in the water for more than 18 hours.
  • Most of those who fell overboard on cruise ships were on the last day of their cruise vacation.
  • A predominance of residents from Florida and California have fallen overboard while on cruise ships.
  • Passengers aboard Carnival cruise line ships are more likely to suffer from falling overboard than on any other cruise line.

Cruise Passenger Missing After Going Overboard 27 Miles Off Coast

According to News 13, the US Coast Guard is searching desperately on the waters between the Bahamas and South Florida for a man missing from a cruise ship.

Rescue crews are trying to find a passenger who apparently went overboard approximately 27 miles east of Florida’s Delray Beach. The man was reported missing from a Bahamas Celebration ship on April 27 as it was returning to its homeport in Florida. The vessel had departed the island of Grand Bahama the night before.

Colson Hicks Eidson – Injury Attorneys

Source: http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2014/4/28/cruise_passenger_mis.html?hpt=us_bn8

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We are pleased to announce that nine of our partners have been named to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators guide. Congratulations to Stephanie A. Casey, Dean C. Colson, Lewis S. “Mike” Eidson, Joseph J. Kalbac Jr., Julie Braman Kane, Thomas Kroeger, Zachary A. Lipshultz, Roberto Martínez, and Curtis Miner.

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding work of our partners and the exceptional litigation talent across our firm. This recognition reflects their unwavering dedication to achieving outstanding results for clients and their continued leadership within the legal profession.

This guide is based on a record number of submissions, combined with journalistic research and independent vetting through clients and peers.

Click here to read the full guide.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

We are pleased to announce that four of our attorneys have been named to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation guide. Congratulations to Eleni I. Constant, Aziza F. Elayan, Zachary A. Lipshultz, and Sabrina S. Saieh.

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding work of our attorneys and the depth of talent across the firm. This recognition reflects the dedication, skill, and professionalism that Eleni, Aziza, Zach, and Sabrina bring to their clients and the firm every day.

Lawdragon selects lawyers for this guide through independent research, submissions, and peer review, recognizing attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and impact in the legal profession, typically within 15 years of graduating from law school.

Click here to read the full guide.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

Colson Hicks Eidson partner Julie Braman Kane was invited to serve on the faculty of The Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section’s Advanced Trial Advocacy Course. As a faculty member, Julie worked with participants to strengthen their trial skills through hands-on instruction, demonstrations, and workshops.

The Advanced Trial Advocacy Course is an intensive, four-day program designed to refine courtroom skills. Participants engage in practical exercises, present recorded arguments, and receive individualized feedback from experienced judges and trial lawyers.

A trial lawyer with more than three decades of experience, Julie has successfully represented plaintiffs in high-stakes personal injury, commercial, and class action litigation in state and federal courts. She has secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements across a broad range of matters, including medical malpractice, personal injury, pharmaceutical litigation, class actions, and commercial disputes.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com

Colson Hicks Eidson is thrilled to announce that Zachary A. Lipshultz and Sabrina S. Saieh have been recognized as Rising Stars in the 2026 edition of Florida Super Lawyers. 

Super Lawyers uses a rigorous screening process including independent research, peer nominations, and evaluations to rate lawyers. No more than 2.5 percent of lawyers under 40 or with fewer than 10 years of practice are selected as Rising Stars.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com

Colson Hicks Eidson is thrilled to announce that Stephanie A. Casey, Joseph J. Kalbac Jr., Julie Braman Kane, and Curtis Miner have been named in the 2026 edition of Florida Super Lawyers. 

Super Lawyers uses a rigorous screening process including independent research, peer nominations, and evaluations to rate lawyers. Only 5 percent of lawyers in Florida are rated by Super Lawyers. 

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

Colson Hicks Eidson represented the Miami-Dade County School Board in reaching a comprehensive settlement with South Florida Public Media Group (SFPMG), resolving litigation concerning the governance, management, and future operation of WLRN.

The agreement formally resolves all litigation between the parties and establishes a framework for the continued growth and stability of public media in South Florida.

Among its key provisions, the settlement allows SFPMG to acquire West Palm Beach radio station WFLM – The Flame and transfer it to the School Board, expanding WLRN’s reach into Palm Beach County. The agreement also extends SFPMG’s management of WLRN and WFLM (upon acquisition) for an additional seven years and includes governance and leadership reforms designed to support the organizations’ long-term success.

The matter was handled by Roberto Martinez, Sabrina S. Saieh, and Zachary A. Lipshultz on behalf of the Miami-Dade County School Board.

The resolution reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that WLRN continues to provide trusted journalism, educational programming, and public service to communities throughout South Florida.

Media coverage includes:

Miami Herald – WLRN, school board settle legal battle. What it means for the station’s future

WLRN – Miami-Dade School Board settles lengthy legal dispute with South Florida Public Media Group

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of nearly 60 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson