A family holiday aboard Norwegian Getaway turned into tragedy when a father drowned at Bermuda’s Horseshoe Bay – and now his relatives are taking Norwegian Cruise Line to court.
The family of Hyon Duk Shin allege that the line failed to warn them about dangerous sea conditions during their March 2024 cruise, despite promoting the excursion as “easy” and suitable for all.
What Happened at Horseshoe Bay
Shin, his wife Yanli Gong, their two sons aged seven and nine, and Shin’s mother were enjoying the popular pink-sand beach on 27th March 2024.
While snorkelling, Shin noticed a girl being pulled out by rip currents. He successfully helped her but was then overcome by the strong undertow himself.
Without lifeguards present – as the visit was outside the island’s peak tourist season – bystanders attempted a rescue but were unable to revive him.
His wife, mother, and children witnessed the devastating incident.
Allegations in the Lawsuit
The family filed their case against Norwegian Cruise Line this year, citing several points of negligence:
- The excursion was advertised as “easy,” with no warnings about rip currents.
- The cruise was scheduled during a period when lifeguards were not stationed at the beach.
- NCL allegedly knew of previous drowning incidents and government warnings but did not disclose them.
Court documents argue that had the family been properly informed, they would not have joined the excursion.
Excursion Still on Sale
Despite the tragedy, Norwegian Cruise Line continues to market Horseshoe Bay transfers on its website.
The beach trip is still listed as a Level 1 “easy” tour, described as a chance to swim or relax on the sand, with no mention of currents or potential hazards.
Shin’s death is not the only water-related tragedy linked to cruise holidays.
This month alone, two guests drowned in separate incidents at Carnival’s new Celebration Key in the Bahamas.
Earlier in August, a Vietnamese couple visiting Milos in Greece also died after being swept into the sea by strong winds.
While drownings remain rare, they highlight the risks of underestimating conditions in unfamiliar environments.
This lawsuit could prompt cruise lines to rethink how they label and describe their shore tours, giving guests clearer information to make safer choices.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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