905 F. Supp. 2d 1334
S.D. Fla.2012Background
- Plaintiffs Gil and Raquel Alvarez allege luggage nondelivery on a Royal Caribbean cruise caused injuries and distress.
- Complaint asserts ten or eleven counts including strict liability, contract breach, negligence, FDUTPA, fraud, and punitive damages.
- Cruise ticket contract contains an arbitration clause for all disputes except personal injury, illness or death.
- Court exercises admiralty jurisdiction over the case and applies maritime law.
- Court grants in part and orders arbitration for non-personal-injury claims, dismissing other counts without prejudice.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope of arbitration clause under the ticket contract | Arbitration should cover non-Personal Injury claims. | Arbitration clause excludes only personal injury claims; broad scope applies to others. | Arbitration applies to Counts 3, 8, 10, 11; non-injury claims are arbitrable. |
| Personal injury claims are outside arbitration | Personal injury claims should be arbitrable under maritime law. | Personal injury claims fall outside the arbitration clause. | Personal injury claims are not subject to arbitration; handled in court. |
Key Cases Cited
- Doe v. Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd., 657 F.3d 1204 (11th Cir. 2011) (presumption in favor of arbitrability; scope depends on contract language)
- Grubart, Jerome B. v. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., 513 U.S. 527 (U.S. 1995) (admiralty jurisdiction factors for maritime claims)
- Moses H. Cone Mem'l Hosp. v. Mercury Const. Corp., 460 U.S. 1 (U.S. 1983) (FAA construed to favor arbitration when contract covers dispute)
- Waffle House, Inc. v. Hopkins, 534 U.S. 279 (U.S. 2002) (arbitration is a matter of consent, not coercion)
- Nash v. Kloster Cruise A/S, 901 F.2d 1565 (11th Cir. 1990) (passengers bound by ticket terms even if not read)