Cruise line facing possible class action over ‘unethical’ casino operations
P&O Cruises Australia could be hit with a class action lawsuit over ‘unethical’ practices in shipboard casinos.
The action was sparked after Sydney man Shane Dixon is thought to have jumped overboard after racking up thousands in gambling debts over two nights in the casino.
An Aussie law firm has met with several guests who have spoken out at cruise lines’ ‘predatory’ behaviour.
Carter Capner Law director Peter Carter said he has been ‘inundated with stories’ of guests building up big gambling debts without being informed at the time.
In one case a passenger was detained onboard after the cruise due to his casino debt.
Carter accused P&O Cruises of offering credit, free alcohol and free cruise incentives to keep gambling, which are tactics generally banned in Australian land-based casinos.
Another guest had a history of past debts with the cruise line and was still given thousands in credit.
“The cruise lines think that once they’re in international waters anything goes. We have a different opinion and we think there are still regulations that need to be followed,” Carter told ABC Radio Sydney.
“It’s all very poor conduct, it wouldn’t be tolerated in Australia and our objective is to get compensation for those passengers who’ve been financially harmed.”
The possible class action is targeting P&O Cruises Australia and potentially Royal Caribbean.
Just weeks after the man overboard incident with Shane Dixon, Carnival Corp announced the P&O Cruises Australia brand would be shut down and absorbed into main brand Carnival Cruise Line.
Related News Stories: Royal Caribbean International - TravelMole Traveltek - TravelMole Man charged for cruise ship hoax bomb threat Cruise guests arrested for credit card fraud Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm Port Canaveral ditches cruise terminal development plan World's largest cruise ship joins Royal Caribbean fleet Saga could sell off cruise ships - TravelMole MSC Cruises extending Guinness World Records entertainment to ... Carnival Cruise Line unveils latest 'portal' at new private island
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt