Orlando Sentinel Prints Op-Ed Calling for Enhanced Safety Measures Following Drowning Incidents at Celebration Key

Miami-based The Cruise Injury Law Firm is calling on Carnival Cruise Line and the broader cruise industry to “urgently overhaul” safety measures at their private island resorts following two passenger drownings in one day at Carnival’s newly opened US$600 million Celebration Key in the Bahamas.

In an Orlando Sentinel commentary, Walsh suggested that the back-to-back deaths of 74- and 79-year-old American tourists within hours of each other on August 15, reveal not just tragic accidents, but potential systemic failures in lifeguard staffing, emergency response, and safety infrastructure.

However, one could argue that Peter Walsh founder of the firm, has seized on these unfortunate circumstances as an opportunity for his own interests and as a promotional opportunity.

“Our lifeguards and medical team responded to two separate emergency incidents at Celebration Key on Friday,” one of which was in a lagoon and the other of which was on a beach, Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement reported by ABC News. “Sadly, both guests have passed away.”

Carnival confirmed that the two guests had been travelling separately with their families onboard different ships: the Carnival Mardi Gras, which departs from Port Canaveral in Orlando; and the Carnival Elation, which sails from Jacksonville.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families, and our care team is providing assistance,” a statement from the cruise line said.

The company said it was working with law enforcement as the investigation proceeds.

“Two drownings in a single day at the same facility is not a fluke. It points to deeper issues in oversight and preparedness,” said Walsh. “When a cruise line builds and operates its own resort, it assumes complete responsibility for passenger safety. You cannot create a controlled paradise without also creating controlled accountability.”

While Walsh’s comments about responsibility may have some validity, there are also some questions raised: Is he a licensed “fluke” specialist? How does he know the two unrelated incidents in one day was not just an unfortunate circumstance? As far as we can tell, he does not hold an engineering degree or a medical license, so how does he “know” there are systemic failures?

As well, how does he know there are deeper issues in oversight and preparedness? Based on the limited information available, there is nothing to suggest that training or response methods failed, nor is there any evidence of lax oversight.

Walsh argues that Carnival has effectively extended its ships onto land, where its duty of care not only continues but arguably increases. Unlike independent ports of call, Celebration Key is entirely designed, staffed, and operated by Carnival, leaving no third party to shoulder liability.

Walsh is urging lawmakers in the U.S. and the Bahamas to consider stricter oversight of private cruise resorts and calling on the industry to proactively implement water safety reforms.