Cruise ship companies win class action appeal. Twenty-eight people died after the COVID-19 outbreak on the “Ruby Princess” in 2020

An Australian class action over a deadly coronavirus outbreak on board the “Ruby Princess” cruise ship cannot include passengers from the US, an appeal court has found.

In a majority decision on Friday, the Federal Court ruled the claim by Patrick Ho – one of 696 passengers whose contracts were deemed to be subject to US terms and conditions – be stayed.

Chief Justice James Allsop and Justice Sarah Derrington – with Justice Steven Rares dissenting – allowed the appeal by Carnival plc, the time charterer of the vessel, and Princess Cruise Lines Ltd, the owner and operator of the vessel.

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