Legal ramifications of passengers stranded on cruise - Houston weather, traffic, news | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston

Legal ramifications of passengers stranded on cruise

A Texas woman is the first to file suit against Carnival for her experience aboard the cruise ship Triumph, after an engine fire set the ship adrift in the Gulf of Mexico.

As passengers finally disembarked and made their way home, many seemed to be considering their legal options.

Fox 26 legal expert, Chris Tritico, says the company is liable for the accident and appears to be making good with full refunds, an offer of a free cruise and $500.

But he cautions people against thinking they may have more coming.

"What is this case worth," asks Tritico, "As a damage model, nobody was injured. So you have mental anguish damages and eight days of being on a bad cruise. In the end, it's really not worth that much money."

Typical cruise ship travel documents give the companies a lot of shelter from legal action.

Travel insurance is a popular product to help protect consumers from unforeseen circumstances, but is of limited use once a trip begins.