Lawsuit Alleges Carnival's 'Hand-Selected' Excursion Operators Drugged and Maimed Summa Cum Laude Graduate

A new amended complaint filed in federal court alleges that Carnival Corporation's 'hand-selected' excursion operators drugged a recent summa cum laude graduate with a substance used to facilitate sexual assault, overserved her alcohol, and then directed her into the water where the boat's propeller caused the amputation of both her legs. The lawsuit, filed by Brais Law Firm and Scolaro, P.A. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, details the incident that occurred on May 12, 2025, just two weeks after Hannah Smith graduated from college.

According to the amended complaint, Smith booked the 'Pearl Island Beach Escape with Lunch' excursion through Carnival's 'Carnival Adventures' program. Carnival's website represented that it 'hand-selected the best local providers' and that its operators were 'reliable [and] reputable' with the 'best reputation.' The excursion was operated by Carnival's shoreside contractors, Pearl Island Investment Management Group, Ltd. and Sun Cay, Ltd. Upon arrival at Pearl Island, bartenders allegedly provided Smith and her companions with 'copious and unsafe amounts of alcohol,' starting with a 16 oz. complimentary rum punch and then forcing three 'liter pours'—an inverted plastic liter bottle of alcohol mixed with a drug poured directly into her mouth. The complaint alleges that the drinks were spiked with a drug-facilitated-sexual-assault (DFSA) and sedating substance, and that marijuana was also furnished. Within about an hour and eleven minutes, Smith's estimated blood alcohol content exceeded four times the legal limit.

During the return trip to Nassau aboard a catamaran ferry, Smith asked a crewmember for a restroom and was told to 'use the water,' consistent with earlier instructions that 'the ocean is your toilet.' Grossly impaired, she entered the water from the ferry's aft dive platform. The captain, who had an unobstructed view from the raised helm station, then engaged the ferry's engine in reverse. With no warning or crewmember present, Smith was sucked into the propeller, causing immediate traumatic amputation of her left leg below the knee and catastrophic injuries to her right leg, ultimately requiring three successive amputations culminating in a complete hip disarticulation—removal of the entire right leg. She lost over 60% of her total blood volume, underwent more than 25 surgeries, was hospitalized for over two months, and her medical care is alleged to exceed $10 million.

The complaint alleges that complaints of extreme alcohol overservice and marijuana distribution on this excursion predated Smith's injuries by at least six years. Prior reviews documented a catamaran ferry failing to properly tie off with engines running during passenger disembarkation, a passenger's leg injury from the boarding gap, and a post headlined 'Avoid this dangerous dump' advising guests to 'avoid if you value your safety.' Carnival's own bridge officers could allegedly observe these dangerous ferry practices directly from the bridge wings of the Carnival Celebration at the Nassau pier. The complaint further alleges Carnival deleted and suppressed negative passenger reviews of this excursion from its website.

The lawsuit asserts claims against Carnival for negligent selection and retention of the excursion entities, negligent supervision, failure to warn, general negligence, apparent agency, and joint venture liability. Direct negligence claims, including overservice of alcohol, distribution of controlled substances, and DFSA spiking, are asserted against Pearl Island and Sun Cay. Both Pearl Island and Sun Cay have filed motions to dismiss asserting lack of personal jurisdiction.

Despite her injuries, Smith has chosen to use her experience to help others. In 2026, she was invited to speak as a keynote survivor at the HCA Florida Trauma Survivors Luncheon, addressing medical professionals and fellow survivors. As reported by LiveNOW FOX, Smith spoke about her sense of responsibility to help others. 'Hannah graduated summa cum laude and was two weeks into celebrating that achievement when Carnival's own hand-selected operators spiked her drinks with a substance used to impair intended victims, poured alcohol down her throat, and then directed a grossly impaired young woman into the water alongside a ferry whose captain was using running engines to hold the vessel in position because it had never been properly tied off,' said Keith S. Brais, Board Certified Admiralty and Maritime Attorney and Smith's lead counsel. 'The evidence raises serious questions about what Carnival knew, what it ignored for years, and what it actively concealed from its own passengers.'

The attorneys are urgently seeking witnesses with firsthand knowledge of excessive alcohol service, marijuana distribution, DFSA substances, unsafe ferry practices, or inappropriate conduct by any Pearl Island or Sun Cay employee. All inquiries are held in strictest confidence. More information can be found on Brais Law Firm's website.