Royal Caribbean faces lawsuit over Star of the Seas scuba excursion
A Miami pediatrician alleges an equipment failure during a September 2025 dive in St. Thomas caused lasting hearing and balance problems.
Miami pediatrician Hector Trujillo filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on Aug. 12, 2026, concerning a scuba excursion he booked while sailing aboard Star of the Seas in September 2025.
According to Holzberg Legal’s summary of the complaint, the incident occurred Sept. 10, 2025, during a call at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. Trujillo booked the Discover Scuba Diving excursion through Royal Caribbean, while Adventure Scuba & School LLC and Underwater Adventure LLC reportedly operated it.
The lawsuit alleges that about 30 minutes into the dive, at a reported depth of 50 feet, the hose supplying air through Trujillo’s equipment separated into two pieces and caused what the complaint describes as an explosion. Trujillo allegedly became disoriented and panicked while struggling to breathe and control his position, forcing him to abandon the dive.
Trujillo was treated in the ship’s medical center and reportedly remained there for the rest of the voyage with vertigo, sound sensitivity and ringing in his ears. He claims he continues to experience hearing loss, chronic tinnitus and balance problems.
The complaint alleges Royal Caribbean continued offering the excursion despite knowing of problems involving the local operator and its equipment. The cruise line had not responded to the complaint, and the allegations have not been proven in court.
