When the Carnival Triumph lost power in the Gulf of Mexico in 2013, stranding thousands of passengers without air conditioning, functioning toilets, or basic sanitation, the world watched in disbelief. The incident quickly became known as the “Poop Cruise,” and it exposed serious safety, maintenance, and emergency-response failures within the cruise industry. What many people do not know is that attorneys at Gilman & Allison, LLP were on the front lines of that litigation, advocating for injured and traumatized passengers and helping bring national attention to the legal rights of cruise ship victims.
Our attorneys were even featured on CNN with Wolf Blitzer, where they explained how maritime law applies to cruise ship disasters and why injured passengers deserve accountability, transparency, and compensation. That national exposure was not about publicity—it was about protecting passengers and forcing the cruise industry to take safety seriously.
More than a decade later, our commitment has not changed.
Today, Gilman & Allison, LLP continues to represent passengers injured on:
- Cruise ships departing from Galveston, Texas
- Cruise-sponsored shore excursions
- Vessels operated by major cruise lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC
We bring the same intensity, experience, and maritime knowledge to every case that we brought to the Poop Cruise litigation.
Why the “Poop Cruise” Case Still Matters
The Carnival Triumph disaster changed how cruise ship injury cases are handled:
- It showed how vulnerable passengers are once they are at sea
- It highlighted the importance of vessel maintenance and emergency preparedness
- It exposed the legal defenses cruise lines use to avoid responsibility
- It confirmed that maritime law is highly specialized and unforgiving
Our firm gained invaluable insight into:
- Cruise line corporate structure
- Vessel ownership and management layers
- International maritime regulations
- Passenger ticket contract limitations
- Notice and filing deadlines
That experience now directly benefits injured cruise passengers in Galveston and throughout Texas.
Cruise Ship Injuries Are Governed by Maritime Law
Many people assume cruise ship injuries are handled like ordinary personal injury cases. They are not.
Cruise injury claims are controlled by federal maritime law, which includes:
- Shortened deadlines (often 6 months to give notice)
- Lawsuit filing limits (typically 1 year)
- Mandatory venue clauses (often requiring filing in Florida federal court)
- International treaties and jurisdictional issues
One mistake can permanently destroy your claim.
That is why cruise ship cases should only be handled by attorneys who practice maritime law regularly—not general injury lawyers.
Injured on a Cruise Leaving Galveston? We Still Fight for You.
Galveston is one of the busiest cruise ports in the United States. Thousands of Texans depart every week on cruises to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. With that volume comes risk.
We represent clients injured in:
- Slip and falls on wet or defective decks
- Trip hazards from damaged flooring or loose transition strips
- Balcony and railing failures
- Pool, hot tub, and water slide accidents
- Elevator and stairway incidents
- Assaults due to inadequate security
- Medical negligence aboard cruise ships
- Excursion accidents involving cruise-sponsored operators
If the cruise line approved, promoted, or sold the excursion, liability often extends beyond the local operator.
Our Experience Sets Us Apart
Very few law firms can say:
- They worked on the most famous cruise disaster case in U.S. history
- They were featured on CNN with Wolf Blitzer discussing cruise ship liability
- They practice maritime law as a core focus, not a side practice
- They understand both vessel operations and maritime litigation
At Gilman & Allison, LLP, maritime law is not marketing. It is what we do.
What Compensation May Be Available
In a cruise ship or excursion injury case, you may recover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
But these claims move fast. Cruise lines are aggressive. Evidence disappears quickly. Contracts limit your time.
From the “Poop Cruise” to Galveston Today
The Poop Cruise case proved one thing:
Cruise companies respond when passengers fight back with experienced maritime attorneys.
Gilman & Allison, LLP has been holding cruise lines accountable for over a decade—and we continue to protect injured passengers departing from Galveston, Texas and ports across the country.
If you were injured on a cruise ship or a cruise-sponsored excursion, your case deserves serious maritime counsel.
Free Case Review. No Fee Unless We Win.
Your rights are governed by maritime law—and the clock is already running.