UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA 

MIAMI DIVISION

CASE NO.:

RYAN MAUNES MAGLANA, on 

his own behalf and as a class 

representative of all other similarly 

situated Filipino crewmembers 

trapped aboard CELEBRITY cruise 

vessels,

Plaintiffs,

CLASS ACTION & 

v DEMAND FOR 

JURY TRIAL

CELEBRITY CRUISES INC.,

Defendant.

______________________________/

VERIFIED1 COMPLAINT FOR EMERGENCY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF & DAMAGES 

Plaintiff, RYAN MAUNES MAGLANA, on his own behalf and on behalf of all 

other similarly situated Filipino crewmembers trapped onboard CELEBRITY cruise 

vessels (hereinafter “PLAINTIFFS”) through undersigned counsel hereby sue Defendant, 

CELEBRITY CRUISES INC. (hereinafter “CELEBRITY”), and allege:

JURISDICTION AND PARTIES 

1. This case arises out of Defendant’s systemic, companywide discriminatory 

treatment of its Filipino employees in violation of federal and applicable state civil rights 

1 Plaintiff is waiting for the executed verification page but has not received it at the time this document was filed 

with the Court due to Plaintiff’s presence on Defendant’s ship. It is anticipated that it will be received before the nd 

of the day and will be filed immediately upon receipt. 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 1 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

laws, including but not limited to under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title 

VII"), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin 

in employment. However, at the time this submission was filed with the Court, Plaintiffs 

have submitted charges to the EEOC, but have not yet received the “Right to Sue” Notice 

from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (hereinafter “EEOC”) due to the 

agency’s decision to suspend the issuance of notices indefinitely due to the Coronavirus 

pandemic. Plaintiffs concede that this may render Defendant’s discriminatory conduct 

not ripe for adjudication for the time being but respectfully submit to the Court that the 

interests of justice demand a remedy for individuals who are suffering discrimination 

and the exigent circumstances involved in this crisis provide ample support for the Court 

to enter relief in their favor.

2. Plaintiff, RYAN MAUNES MAGLANA, is a citizen of the Philippines and 

employee of Defendant on its vessel the Millennium. Plaintiff MAGLANA was an 

employee of Defendant CELEBRITY for over 14 years and during his most recent contract 

of employment with Defendant was employed as a Beverage Controller onboard the 

Millennium.

3. Defendant, CELEBRITY CRUISES INC., is a foreign entity which conducts 

its business from its principal place of business in Miami, Florida.

4. This court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1343 because this action is brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights 

Act of 1964 ("Title VII"), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. prohibiting discrimination in 

employment on the basis of national origin.

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 2 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

5. In the alternative, Plaintiffs allege that this Court has original subject matter 

jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1333 under the Court’s admiralty jurisdiction.

6. The causes of action asserted in this Complaint arise under the General 

Maritime Law of the United States and/or the Jones Act 46 U.S.C. Section 30104 and 46 

U.S.C. Section 10313. The claims exceed the jurisdictional amount of this court, exclusive 

of interest and costs. This controversy is a class action brought under Federal Rule of Civil 

Procedure 23 and pursuant to 28 U.S.C § 1332(d)(2) in addition to Federal Rule of Civil 

Procedure 65. 

7. Defendant, CELEBRITY, at all times material, personally or through an 

agent:

a. Operated, conducted, engaged in or carried out a business venture in this 

state and/or county and/or had an office or agency in this state and/or 

county;

b. Was engaged in substantial business activity within this state;

c. Operated vessels in the waters of this state;

d. Committed one or more of the acts stated in Florida Statutes, Sections 

48.081, 48.181 or 48.193; and/or

e. The acts of Defendant set out in this Complaint occurred in whole or in part 

in this county and/or state.

8. Defendant is subject to the jurisdiction of the Courts of this state.

9. At all times material hereto, Defendant owned, operated, managed, 

maintained and/or controlled a fleet of cruise ships, including the cruise vessel Celebrity 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 3 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

Millennium where Plaintiff MAGLANA is currently held captive in addition to and 

thirteen (13) sister cruise ships and expedition ships in its worldwide fleet, including in 

no specific order, the: Silhouette, Apex, Solstice, Summit, Eclipse, Equinox, Edge, Infinity, 

Reflection, Constellation, Flor2, Expedition3, and Exploration4.

10. At all times material hereto, Defendant operated the vessels in navigable 

waters.

11. At all times material hereto, the Celebrity Millennium and Eclipse were

docked at the port in San Diego, California, and subject to the jurisdiction of the US 

federal courts, but at all times material, the vessel was operational and capable of 

navigation.

12. At all times material hereto, Defendant's base of operations and corporate 

headquarters are located in Miami, Florida.

13. At all times material hereto, Plaintiffs were “seamen” aboard their 

respective vessel to which they were assigned by Defendant to work, as the term 

“seamen” is defined under U.S. General Maritime Law and/or the Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 

30104.

14. “Seamen from the start were wards of admiralty.” U.S. Bulk Carriers, Inc. v. 

Arguelles, 400 U.S. 351, 355 (1971) (citing Robertson v. Baldwin, 165 U.S. 275, 287 (1897)). In 

1823, Justice Story declared: “Every Court should watch with jealousy an encroachment 

2, 2 ,3 These ships are smaller “expedition” class ships which Celebrity uses for voyages 

to ecologic sanctuaries such as the Galapagos Islands.

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 4 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

upon the rights of a seaman, because they are unprotected and need counsel; because 

they are thoughtless and require indulgence; because they are credulous and complying; 

and are easily overreached. But Courts of maritime law have been in the constant habit 

of extending towards them a peculiar, protecting favor and guardianship. They are 

emphatically the wards of the admiralty.” Harden v. Gordon, 11 Fed. Cas. 480 (No. 6047) 

(C.C. Me 1823). “From the earliest times maritime nations have recognized that unique 

hazards, emphasized by unusual tenure and control, attend the work of seafarer.” See 

Aguilar v. Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey, 318 U.S. 724, 727 (1943). The Aguilar Court further 

held: “the restrictions which accompany living aboard ship for long periods at a time 

combine with the constant shuttling between unfamiliar ports to deprive the seaman of 

the comforts and opportunities for leisure, essential for living and working that 

accompany most land occupations.” Id. at 728.

15. In Chandris, Inc. v. Latsis, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed the longstanding 

principle that seafarers are wards of Admiralty Courts, given the “feature of the maritime 

law that compensate[es] or offset[s] the special hazards and disadvantages to which they 

who go down to sea in ships are subjected.” 515 U.S. 347, 355 (1995). The Fifth Circuit Court 

of Appeals explained the rationale for affording seafarers special protections in Castillo v. 

Spiliada Maritime Corp.,: “[Seafarers] enjoy this status because they occupy a unique position. 

A seaman isolated on a ship on the high seas is often vulnerable to the exploitation of his 

employer. Moreover, there exists a great inequality in bargaining position between large 

ship-owners and unsophisticated seafarer. Shipowners generally control the availability 

and terms of employment.” 937 F.2d 240, 243 (5th Cir. 1991) (emphasis added).

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 5 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

16. Accordingly, the Admiralty Courts have a rich tradition of protecting 

seafarers, which flows from the uniquely abhorrent conditions seafarers face at sea. And 

it is not just the Courts which recognize the need to protect seafarers, as “[t]he policy of 

Congress, as evidenced by its’ legislation, has been to deal with [seafarers] as a favored 

class.” Bainbridge v. Merchants' & Miners' Transp. Co., 287 U.S. 278 (1932).

17. Plaintiffs including class representative MAGLANA and his fellow Filipino 

class members worked for Defendant aboard Defendant’s vessels, were employees of 

Defendant until it unilaterally terminated their contracts at various points in time since the 

CDC’s March 14th no-sail Order and stopped paying agreed upon wages shortly thereafter.

ALLEGATIONS COMMON TO ALL COUNTS 

PERTAINING TO DEFENDANT’S TORTIOUS CONDUCT WHICH VIOLATES U.S.

GENERAL MARITIME LAW, THE JONES ACT AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACTS OF 1964 & 1961

18. The basis of the class action stems from Defendant CELEBRITY’s callous 

and inhumane business decision to keep crew members from specific countries trapped 

on board its passenger-less ships with no wages and no hopes of going home to family 

members in need, including infants, children, and elderly parents.

19. Despite having actual knowledge that the CDC had issued a no sail order 

as early as March 14, 2020 and the supplemental orders issued thereafter have prohibited

cruise ships from operating in US waters through at least midsummer, a date which 

remains at risk to be delayed even further. 

20. In fact, the Millennium where Plaintiff MAGLANA is currently being held 

captive has been without passengers since February 10th, 2020, nearly 100 days ago.

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 6 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

21. At that time, only Vietnam and Singapore would agree to allow the ship to 

dock at their respective ports after rejections at Hong Kong and Thailand. The ship stayed 

in Singapore after disembarking its last passengers on February 10th until February 14th, 

when the vessel departed from Singapore and sailed east to Manila, arriving in the 

Philippine capital on February 19th, 2020. 

22. At the time, many of the vessel’s Filipino seafarers were excited at the 

prospect of returning to their home country and hopeful that they would be allowed to 

return home if the company was going to cancel cruises.

23. Unfortunately, the excitement was short lived and left just as quickly as it 

came. Less than twenty-four (24) hours after arriving in Manila Bay, PLAINTIFFS 

onboard the Millennium were cruelly taken from Manila in what felt like moments the 

ship’s Filipino seafarers eager to return home to their loved ones. 

24. The only crewmembers that were allowed to disembark for repatriation 

were those that both had concluded their contracts and had a suitable replacement 

onboard. 

25. CELEBRITY, apparently oblivious to the media frenzy that was beginning 

across the globe which had begun to focus on the cruise lines collective role in facilitating 

the virus’s spread, and the ancillary fact that ships in its fleet, Millennium included, had 

already been passenger-less for close to 10 days.

26. The ship’s remaining Filipino crew were prevented from disembarking the 

ship despite the obvious writing on the wall that the cruise lines would not be sailing 

with passengers for the foreseeable future.

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 7 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

27. Despite the pleas of crewmembers on board to be allowed to disembark in 

their home port of Manila, Celebrity elected to refuel the Millennium and continue 

eastward to the western U.S. seaboard after a stop in Honolulu. The stop in Honolulu on 

March 1st came and went but the company was still reluctant to make a final decision to 

repatriate its crew, so the vessel sailed on eastward. Finally, the ship arrived in Ensenada, 

Baja California in Mexico on March 11, 2020. 

28. In the interim, on March 13th, 2020, Royal Caribbean, CELEBRITY's parent 

company, suspended all of its future cruises, including those associated with its 

subsidiary companies, such as CELEBRITY. The following day, on or about March 14, 

2020, the CDC issued its first No Sail Order. 

29. Thus, without any doubt whatsoever, Defendant CELEBRITY knew that 

passenger cruises in the U.S. would be canceled until the C.D.C.’s No Sail Order is lifted, 

eventually. 

30. Nonetheless, after 64 days since the C.D.C. issued the first no-sail order 

back on March 14th, the Millennium holds nearly 1000 Filipino crew members on board. 

Upon information and belief, there are at least 1700 Filipino seafarers being held captive 

throughout CELEBRITY’s fleet, and nearly 7,000 between those employed by Royal 

Caribbean Cruise Line, Azamara Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruise Line, and the other minor 

subsidiary brands owned by the Royal Caribbean/Celebrity holding entity.

31. The ship departed Ensenada 8 days later on March 19, 2020. Before leaving 

Ensenada, some crewmembers were allowed to disembark and sign-off. Many of the 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 8 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

Filipino seafarers sought leave to sign off the ship at that point, but were denied 

permission due to the “lack of a replacement.”

32. The ship finally arrived at San Diego on March 20, 2020, which is also where 

it is currently located and his been at all times material other than a brief trip for 

provisions in late March.

33. Upon information and belief, will remain there until the CDC rescinds its 

no-sail order as the vessel is scheduled to sail on Alaskan and Pacific Northwest 

itineraries in the second half of 2020.

34. Defendant’s failure to repatriate its Filipino seafarers unfortunately is not 

the extent of its unscrupulous conduct. In addition to holding its crewmembers hostage, 

against their will, and with little or no payment of wages, the Defendant has engaged in 

a campaign of disinformation and deception in an effort to avoid mutiny or rebellion on 

board.

35. Plaintiff MAGLANA has been held without wages since his contract was 

terminated by Defendant on March 30th, nearly 7 weeks ago. He was advised when he 

was terminated that he would be repatriated on April 1, 2020, in accordance with the 

terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (hereinafter “CBA”), negotiated between 

Defendant and a “union” which it established in Italy for the purposes of claiming that 

the CBA was collectively bargained for.

36. Nonetheless, even though it would be bound by a contract and CBA which 

is the product of its own collective-bargaining with an “adversarial” union led by an 

agent which it appointed and requires its crew members to join, Defendant still ignored 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 9 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

the requirement to repatriate crew within 24 hours of their contract being terminated or 

voided as expressly required by their “collectively bargained” agreement, which merely 

recites the requirements espoused in the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006.

37. Plaintiff MAGLANA was told his April 2st flight had been rescheduled to 

April 8h, then the 16th, and 26th, 28th, and the 11th/12th May tentatively, so on and so forth. 

Not surprisingly, these too were all canceled.

38. But why would the cruise lines, and specifically Defendant delay 

repatriation of its crew? The answer, as is usually the case with the cruise industry, comes 

down to dollars and cents: profits are far more important than a replaceable crewmember 

and if someone doesn’t like it, there’s an eager replacement that will gladly accept an 

offer to work on a ship that would pay them over $1200 a month for 75 hours of work per 

work week as an average for 6-9 months.

39. As has been the case since at least April 23rd, the CDC has not only allowed 

cruise line crew repatriations from seaports in the U.S., they have provided the cruise 

lines with a detailed protocol of how to do it to avoid and legal consequences:

CDC is allowing crew members to disembark from cruise ships in U.S. 

waters and return home if cruise lines submit a signed attestation stating 

that they have complied with requirements to safely disembark their 

crew members. . . CDC shared information with all cruise lines in US waters 

on April 23, 2020, to help crew members return home safely. 5

40. The CDC’s position on repatriation was public knowledge shortly after the 

5 CDC Guidelines for Disembarkation of Crew published on April 23, 2020. 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/cruise-ship/cruise-shipmember-disembarkations.html

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 10 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

agency published the conditions on its website and providing them to national media. As 

was the basis for the cruise lines’ decision to delay repatriation as long as possible because 

of the associated costs to repatriate their replaceable crew members that did not fall in 

line with the company’s take it or leave it offer.

41. Knowing the consequences that would arise due to its unjustified wholesale 

breach of the CBA which it created, rather than admit the error of its ways, CELEBRITY 

through its corporate directors and its parent corporation which owns it the CELEBRITY 

subsidiary outright, elected to concoct a narrative that claimed that the repatriations were 

being prevented by the CDC as if they actually believed the rouse would work.

42. Whether because it was oblivious or intentionally deceiving its crew, the 

fabricated narrative was soon exposed when the CDC revealed that ships in the US or 

within its territorial waters had been given the green-light to repatriate the crewmembers 

in their fleets so long as Defendant agreed to abide by precautionary compliance 

measures that were non-negotiable due to the history of the cruise lines in making big 

promises with little to show for it.

43. As recently as May 1st, there were reports of ship captains in the fleet RCL 

Ltd Fleet, including its subsidiary brands such as but not limited to Celebrity. 

44. On board ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, within the same cruise 

conglomerate, audio records capture the corporate deception straight from the mouth of 

their vessel masters, including onboard the Oasis, Anthem and Symphony of the Seas. After 

local media published a story which revealed the extent of the rouse, ship captains 

shamelessly denied the stories and instead, continued to fabricate tall tales. 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 11 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

45. In fact, according to the Master of the Oasis of the Seas “’[i]n regards to what 

was in the Miami Herald the other day [about economics being the cause of the delay, 

not the CDC], well, that is one of those things that is not true at all,’ said the captain [ ] in 

an announcement Friday.” Similarly, according to the Master of the Symphony of the Seas 

“’[f]irst of all, I’d like to just address the Miami Herald article that came out yesterday,” 

said the captain on the Symphony of the Seas. He joked that the only way to comply with 

the CDC guidelines is for American crew to walk home, citing a requirement that crew 

not interact with the public on their journey home.’” 

46. Most damning of all though, was the commentary of the Master of the 

Anthem of the Seas who shamelessly lied to the crew and stated:

‘There was one article today we all read and we raised that question today 

in a conference call which says that CDC and cruise lines did not come with 

an agreement because it’s too expensive,’ said the captain on the Anthem 

of the Seas Friday. ‘That is absolute false. The money has nothing to do with 

it. It is absolutely not the money that we are concerned. The money is not 

the issue.’”6

47. In reality though, subsequent statements of the company’s corporate 

officers show beyond a doubt that the company was intentionally lying to crew. Days 

after the May 1st report of the Masters’ fabrications and misrepresentations, RCCL CEO 

went on record and stated “he hopes the threat of criminal prosecution will be removed. 

6 Miami Herald article “Royal Caribbean false blames CDC for keeping crew trapped on 

its ships, agency says” dated May 1, 2020

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article242443236.html

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 12 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

. . ‘we have decided that the importance of getting [crew] home is so great that we will 

sign these documents as they are written today to help get you off the ships.’”7

48. Since those May 3rd promises were memorialized in print, over two weeks 

have come and gone, yet thousands of crew members remain captive on board the ships 

they previously served on, with no wages, and growing more desperate by the day.

49. There have been hunger strikes on the Navigator of the Seas “[a]t this 

moment, we feel that we’re all hostages,’ said one crew member, who asked not to be 

named for fear the company will retaliate and delay repatriation. ‘This company needs 

to understand we are not boxes of food that can be moved around.’”; heart wrenching 

7 Miami Herald article “ Royal Caribbean executives agree to the CDC’s terms for 

disembarking crew stuck on ships” dated May 3, 2020

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article242471226.html 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 13 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

cries for help and multiple suicides. 8

50. Without a doubt, we are witnessing a human rights tragedy of immense 

proportions unfold before our very eyes. But unlike in the past, Defendant CELEBRITY 

and its colleagues in the cruise ship cartel cannot hide behind the lawless open oceans 

where many of their misdeeds are typically swept away with the current. 

51. This time tough, CELEBRITY’s unscrupulous, discriminatory and illegal 

actions are not transpiring on the open ocean thousands of leagues from the nearest 

point of land. This time, the world is watching, the nation is watching, and a failure to act 

and fight for what is right will not go unnoticed. We are all witnesses.

CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS

32. At all times material hereto, Plaintiffs, the Class Representative and Class 

Members herein, are and/or were crewmembers who worked for Defendant aboard 

Defendant’s vessels and who are Filipino nationals.

33. This action is brought by Plaintiff MAGLANA on his own behalf, and 

pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(1-3) he seeks to represent a worldwide class consisting 

of: 

All other similarly situated Filipino crewmembers who worked aboard 

Defendant’s cruise vessels who remain captive aboard vessels in 

Defendant’s fleet, and are being subjected to the dangerous conditions 

outlined above in connection with Defendant’s callous and unreasonable 

failure to repatriate its crewmembers upon its unilateral decision to 

terminate their contracts and entitlement to wages.

8Miami Herald article “ Royal Caribbean crew go on hunger strike until company 

proves it is sending them home” dated May 8, 2020

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article242595896.html

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 14 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

34. Plaintiff reserves the right to seek to represent sub-classes of the world-wide 

class.

36. Numerosity-- The exact number of members of the class is unknown at this 

time given that many members are currently in voluntary or forced isolation aboard 

Defendant’s vessels; however, at this time it is estimated that there are in excess of over 

1700 members. The class is so numerous that joinder would be impracticable. Thus, this 

action satisfies the requirements of Rule 23(a)(1).

37. Commonality— There are common questions of law and fact that relate to 

and effect the rights of each member of the class and the relief sought is common to the 

entire class. The same misconduct on the part of Defendant, CELEBRTIY, caused the same 

or similar injury to each class member. All class members seek damages and equitable 

relief in the form of a mandatory injunction as described in ¶¶ 1, 4, and 6 above and 

accordingly, this action satisfies the requirement of Rule 23(a)(2).

38. Typicality-- The claims of Plaintiffs are typical of the claims of the class, in 

that the claims of all members of the class, including the named Plaintiff, depend upon a 

virtually identical showing of the acts and omissions of Defendant, CELEBRITY, giving 

rise to the right of Plaintiff to the relief sought herein. Defendant, CELEBRITY, was at all 

times material hereto engaged in the same conduct to the detriment of the entire class of 

Plaintiffs. Accordingly, this action satisfies the requirements of Rule 23(a)(3).

40. Adequacy of Representation— Plaintiff is the representative party for the class, 

and is able to, and will, fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. Plaintiff 

MAGLANA is an adequate representative of the class because: (1) he is willing and able 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 15 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

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Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

to represent the proposed class and has every incentive to pursue this action to a 

successful conclusion; (2) his interests are not in any way antagonistic to those of the other 

class members; and (3) is represented by counsel experienced in litigating claims under 

the General Maritime Law of the United States in addition to the statutory modifications 

and amendments enacted by Congress. Accordingly, this action satisfies the requirement 

of Rule 23(a)(4).

41. Propriety of Maintenance of Class Action under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(1). Class 

action status is appropriate under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(1) because in light of the number 

of Filipino employees that are currently being held against their will by Defendant, 

adjudication of Plaintiff MAGLANA’s prayer for a mandatory injunction would be 

dispositive of the their legal right to be repatriated in accordance with U.S. and 

International maritime law. 

42. Propriety of Maintenance of Class Action under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(2). Class 

action status is appropriate under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(2) because CELEBRITY has acted 

and/or refused to act on grounds generally applicable to the class, thereby making final 

injunctive relief appropriate. Such generally applicable grounds consist of the repatriation 

of its shipboard employees to their country of residence, the Philippines, in accordance 

with U.S. and International Maritime law. This relief would predominate over monetary 

relief.

14. Propriety of Maintenance of Class Action under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(3). This 

action is properly maintained as a class action under Rule 23(b)(3) inasmuch as 

questions of law and fact common to the members of the class predominate over any 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 16 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 17 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

questions affecting only individual members, and a class action is superior to the other 

available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of this controversy. In support 

of the foregoing, Plaintiffs allege that common issues predominate and can be 

determined on a class-wide basis regarding Defendant, CELEBRITY’s violation of 

Plaintiffs rights to be repatriated after their contracts end or the ships they are in service 

to become unseaworthy, in view of Defendant’s callous disregard for the wellbeing of 

its employees who are not able to disembark Defendant’s ships due to the Coronavirus 

and their only vehicle of repatriation is by virtue of charter flights home which 

Defendant has determined is of greater concern than the well-being and rights of its 

employees. 

43. A class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient 

adjudication of this controversy because it is unlikely that individual plaintiffs would 

assume the burden and the cost of this complex litigation, and Plaintiff is not aware of 

any class members who are interested in individually controlling the prosecution of a 

separate action. The interests of justice will be served by resolving the common disputes 

of the class members with Defendant, CELEBRITY, in a single forum, and individual 

actions by class members, all of whom are citizens of the Philippines would be cost 

prohibitive. The class consists of a finite and identifiable number of individuals which 

will make the matter manageable as a class action.

43. CELEBRITY and many of the Plaintiffs herein have entered into 

employment contracts and/or Collective Bargaining Agreement’s (“CBAs”), which call 

for arbitration of employment-related disputes between CELEBRITY and the respective 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 17 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 18 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

seafarers. However, no arbitration provision in any of the Plaintiffs’ employment 

contracts and/or CBAs with CELEBRITY expressly call for arbitration of class action 

employment-related claims, nor contemplate claims for equitable relief and mandatory 

injunctions.

44. Aggrieved parties cannot be forced to submit class action disputes to 

arbitration unless there is a contractual basis for concluding that the aggrieved parties 

agreed to do so. Stolt-Nielsen S.A. v. AnimalFeedsInt’l Corp., 559 U.S. 662, 684-87 (2010) (“[A] 

party may not be compelled under the FAA to submit to class arbitration unless there is a 

contractual basis for concluding that the party agreed to do so . . . An implicit agreement 

to authorize class-action arbitration, however, is not a term that the arbitrator may infer 

solely from the fact of the parties’ agreement to arbitrate. . . class-action arbitration changes 

the nature of arbitration to such a degree that it cannot be presumed the parties consented 

to it by simply agreeing to submit their disputes to an arbitrator.”) (emphasis in original).

45. Here, because there is no contractual provision in any written agreement 

between Plaintiffs and CELEBRITY to submit employment-related class action disputes 

involving prayers for equitable relief to arbitration. Thus, Plaintiffs’ Class Action lawsuit 

filed in this Court is proper. See id.

EXHASUTION OF ADMINSTRATIVE REMEDIES

46. As referenced above, Plaintiffs have not received the Right to Sue notice 

from the EEOC at this time because the agency has issued a moratorium on them until 

further notice when the virus’s impact on the ability to resume normal operations is better 

known. Plaintiff’s EEOC Charge Filing No. is 510-2020-03917

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 18 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 19 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

COUNT I

PRELIMINARY MANDATORY INJUNCTION REQUIRING REPATRIATION OF 

DEFENDANT’S FILIPPINO CREWMEMBERS 

[CLASS & INDIVIDUAL CLAIM]

47. PLAINTIFFS restate and reallege the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 

through 45 above as if fully set forth herein.

48. PLAINTIFFS and members of the class are employees of Defendant 

CELEBRITY within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. § 2000(e) et seq., and Fed. R. Civ. P. 23. In 

the alternative, should the Court determine that PLAINTIFFS are precluded from seeking 

relief under Title VII, PLAINTIFFS submit that their class nonetheless satisfies the 

requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 23 regardless of Title VII as their class nonetheless 

comports with the prescriptions of Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a) and (b)(1-3).

49. CELEBRITY has adopted and/or maintained subjective employment 

practices, including but not limited to, subjective and disparate practices for complying 

with their legal obligations to repatriate employees that are not earning wages based 

exclusively on their national origins because, on information and belief, the larger the 

number of individuals from a specific national original, the higher the cost for Defendant 

to comply with its obligations under maritime law to repatriate its crew, and accordingly, 

continue to “schedule” repatriation trips on a nearly weekly basis, all of which have been 

“canceled” due to the fabricated narrative that the CDC is prohibiting repatriation. 

50. PLAINTIFFS will suffer irreparable harm if Defendant continues to 

perpetually delay its obligations under International maritime law (IMO procedures 

relating to the Maritime Labor Convention) and U.S. General Maritime law which the 

U.S. Coast Guard has determined to be consistent with U.S. General Maritime law and 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 19 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 20 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

requires ships flying a U.S. flag to comply with “NVIC 02-13 uses a Statement of 

Voluntary Compliance (SOVC) and a Declaration of Voluntary Compliance to mirror the 

MLC and the DMLC of the MLC, 2006. The U.S. Coast Guard was extremely meticulous 

in following the letter of the MLC, 2006 for one principal reason: the ‘no more favourable 

(sic) treatment’ clause contained in Article V, paragraph 7 [of the Maritime Labor 

Convention of 2006]. See U.S. Coast Guard’s Circular dated January 6, 2017 implementing 

the MLC’s Repatriation requirements for attached as Exhibit “A”.

51. Specifically, PLAINTIFFS have been, and continue to be, irreparably 

harmed by CELEBRITY’s failure to repatriate them which includes, but is not limited to:

a) mental anguish and emotional distress caused by the discriminatory 

treatment they have suffered on the basis of their national origins;

b) multiple suicides;

c) inability to provide for dependents, including children and parents;

d) continued potential exposure to the COVID-19 causing coronavirus which 

has infected well over five million people across the world and killed over 

300 thousand; and

e) inability to earn wages from an alternative source of employment in light 

of CELEBRITY’s decision to terminate their contracts.

52. PLAINTIFFS have no adequate remedy of law that would serve to 

immediately enjoin Defendants continued and unlawful violation of PLAINTIFFS’ basic 

human rights and their rights to earn wages or be repatriated to care for their loves ones 

and dependents.

53. PLAINTIFFS have a substantial likelihood of success on the merits on its 

claims for false imprisonment and discrimination under Title VII of the U.S. Code which 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 20 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 21 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

provides for damages for emotional distress in addition to the damages that are 

customarily seen in actions for tort under the General Maritime law of the United States. 

54. The entry of a preliminary injunction will serve the public interest by 

effectuating the important policy concerns of Title VII preventing workplace 

discrimination on the basis of national origin, amongst others, in addition to reinforcing 

Defendant’s apparent inability or unwillingness to comprehend that no person or 

corporation is above the law.

55. PLAINTIFFS have a clear legal right to the relief sought herein. 

WHEREFORE, PLAINTIFFS pray that:

1) The Court maintains this matter as a class action on behalf of the 

proposed worldwide class, that Plaintiff be designated as 

representative of the class that their counsel of record be designated 

as Class Counsel; 

2) That the Court enter an injunction against Defendant CELEBRITY

Ordering it to repatriate its Filipino seafarers that are not being paid 

wages and are being held against their will aboard ships in 

CELEBRITY’s fleet;

3) That judgement be entered in favor of Plaintiffs and the members of 

the class set forth herein, and against Defendant, for back pay 

(including interest or an appropriate inflation factor), front pay, 

benefits and all other amounts owed to Plaintiffs and the members of 

the class;

4) That the Plaintiffs be awarded costs, including but not limited to, 

attorneys’ fees, experts’ fees, and other costs and expenses of this 

litigation, and pray for such other relief in equity which this Court 

deems just and proper.

5) That the Court retain jurisdiction over Defendant until such time as 

it is satisfied that it has remedied the practices complained of and it 

determined to be in full compliance with the law.

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 21 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 22 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

COUNT II

INTENTIONAL TORT OF FALSE IMPRISONMENT

[CLASS & INDIVIDUAL CLAIM]

56. PLAINTIFFS restate and reallege the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 

through 45 above as if fully set forth herein.

57. At all times material Defendant CELEBRITY intentionally caused the 

Plaintiffs to be held captive against their will with no wages or ability to leave the ship 

due to Defendant’s election to ignore and violate their legal obligations under the laws of 

this country, the laws of the flag states of the various ships, and the laws of Liberia where 

CELEBRITY’s parent corporation RCL is based. 

58. The restraint of the Filipino seafarer PLAINTIFFS as a class, and PLAINTFF 

MAGLANA as Class Representative and/or individual, was done against PLAINTIFFS’ 

collective will through acts directly and in a natural and continuous sequence to produce 

or contribute substantially to producing the unjustified and intentional restraint of the 

class as a whole, so that it can be reasonably said that, but for those acts of CELEBRITY, 

the seemingly perpetual restraint/imprisonment would not have occurred, by confining 

the Plaintiffs to a perpetual confinement on its ships for reasons unknown to Plaintiffs 

but clearly in violation on US and International law.

59. As a result of the Defendant CELEBRITY's false imprisonment of the 

Plaintiffs, they were physically and emotionally injured about their bodies and 

extremities, suffered physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, 

disability, disfigurement, aggravation of any previously existing conditions 

therefrom, incurred medical expenses in the care and treatment of plaintiffs injuries, 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 22 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 23 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

suffered physical handicap, lost wages and their working ability has been impaired in 

the future. The injuries are permanent or continuing in nature, and Plaintiff will suffer 

the losses and impairments in the future. In addition, plaintiff lost the benefit of 

plaintiffs vacation, cruise, and transportation costs.

Wherefore, the plaintiffs demands judgment for all damages recoverable under 

the law against the Defendant CELEBRITY, including compensatory damages, costs, 

including attorneys’ fees and experts’ fees, punitive damages based on the intentional 

nature of CELEBRITY’s conduct to the maximum extent allowed under the law, and 

demands trial by jury, and for any other relief the Court dete4rmines reasonable and just.

COUNT III 

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF NATIONAL ORIGIN

[CLASS & INDIVIDUAL CLAIM]

60. PLAINTIFFS restate and reallege the allegations contained in above 

Paragraphs 1 through 45 of this Complaint as though set forth here in full.

61. Plaintiff and members of the class are employees of CELEBRITY within the 

meaning of 42 U.S.C. § 2000(e) et seq.

62. The discriminatory policies or practices of CELEBRITY, as set forth in this 

Complaint, have denied Plaintiffs and members of the class their right to equal 

employment opportunity in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 2000(e) et seq.

63. CELEBRITY has adopted and/or maintained a system-wide policy or 

practice of discrimination by, among other things, denying Plaintiffs and members of the 

class equal opportunities as described above.

64. CELEBRITY has adopted and/or maintained subjective employment 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 23 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 24 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

practices, including but not limited to, subjective and disparate practices repatriating

employees based exclusively on their national origin. Through the apparent use of a 

“cost/benefit analysis” type approach of comparing potential costs of repatriation versus 

keep employees on board until the no-sail orders are lift later this year, to hell with their 

needs. 

65. The embodiment of the “profits over people” concept implemented by 

CELEBRITY to intentionally withhold its employees’ wages and simultaneously deprive 

them of their ability to return home and reunite with loved ones. 

66. Sadly, CELEBRITY determines the ability of their crew to return home and 

be freed from their illegal captivity is based entirely on their national origin.

67. This is clear evidence of their belief that they can act with impunity because 

of the legal gymnastics they play with their principal place of business and H.Q. in 

Miami, claims of Liberian citizenship, and operating vessels that fly under the flags of 

Liberia, Malta, Panama, and the Bahamas. 

68. By reason of CELEBRITY's discriminatory policies or practices as set forth in 

this Complaint, Plaintiff and members of the class have suffered damages including, but not 

limited to, lost income, lost benefits, embarrassment, emotional distress, physical injury, 

humiliation, indignity and a reduced quality of life, since the discrimination began and into 

the future.

Wherefore, the plaintiffs demand judgment for all damages recoverable under the 

law against the Defendant CELEBRITY, including compensatory damages,

injunctive/equitable relief prayed for in Count II, their costs, including attorneys’ fees 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 24 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 25 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

and experts’ fees, punitive damages based on the intentional nature of CELEBRITY’s 

conduct to the maximum extent allowed under the law, and for any other relief the Court 

determines reasonable and just.

COUNT IV

JONES ACT NEGLIGENCE

[CLASS & INDIVIDUAL CLAIM]

69. Plaintiffs re-allege, incorporate by reference, and adopt paragraphs 1

through 45 above as though originally alleged herein.

70. At all times material hereto, it was the duty of Defendant to provide 

Plaintiffs with a reasonably safe place to work.

71. At all times material hereto, Defendant and/or its agents’, servants’, and/or 

employees’ acts and/or omissions caused, contributed and/or played a substantial part 

in bringing about Plaintiffs’ injuries and/or death for reasons that include, but are not 

limited to, the following:

a. Failure to use reasonable care to provide Plaintiffs with a reasonably safe 

place to work aboard the subject vessels to which they were assigned;

b. Failure to reasonably examine all individuals whom Defendant permitted 

to board the vessels to determine whether any of them exhibited symptoms 

consistent with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, including, but not limited 

to, determining whether any individual permitted to board the vessels 

exhibited symptoms of fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath;

c. Failure to timely enact fleetwide vessel social distancing measures, 

including, but not limited to a requirement that all shipboard individuals 

maintain separation of at least six (6) feet;

d. Failure to reasonably test all individuals whom Defendant permitted to 

board its cruise vessels, including, but not limited to, the Celebrity Apex for 

COVID-19;

e. Failure to monitor the mental and physical health of the Plaintiffs 

throughout the time they were held captive aboard the vessel after the 

CDC’s March 14, 2020 no-sail Order, and further, after Defendant made the 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 25 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 26 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

unilateral determination to withhold payment of wages despite their crews’ 

inability to disembark their ships;

f. Failure to reasonably and/or timely identify passengers and/or 

crewmembers who recently traveled to COVID-19 high risk/exposure 

locations before permitting them to board the vessels;

g. Failure to adequately warn crewmembers before they boarded the vessels 

and/or anytime during cruising aboard the vessels that a passenger(s) on a 

prior cruise showed symptoms and/or tested positive for COVID-19; 

and/or

h. Failure to sufficiently warn crewmembers working aboard the vessels of 

the dangers and/or risks of COVID-19 and/or other related infectious 

disease, including, but not limited to, failing to inform the crewmembers of 

the extent of the prior COVID-19 outbreaks and/or risks and/or symptoms 

aboard the vessels;

i. Failure to reasonably educate crewmembers working aboard the vessels as 

to the explosive contagiousness of COVID-19, including but not limited to 

explaining to crewmembers ways they can reduce and/or eliminate their 

exposure to COVID-19 aboard the vessels;

j. Failing to practice safe and sanitary food practices aboard the vessels;

k. Failure to provide sanitary vessels upon which Plaintiffs were assigned to 

work so as to prevent outbreaks of COVID-19 and/or virus and/or 

infectious diseases, including, but not limited to, Defendant’s 

inadequate and/or ineffective cleaning/sanitary procedures and/or 

lack of equipment and supplies;

r. Failure to equip the vessels and/or provide crewmembers with a sufficient 

amount cleaning and/or disinfectant equipment and/or personal 

protective equipment; and/or

s. Failure to man the vessel with a sufficient number of competent 

crewmembers responsible for cleaning and/or disinfecting the ship in view 

of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

72. The above acts and/or omissions caused and/or contributed to Plaintiffs to 

suffer mental anguish and emotional distress.

73. At all times material hereto, Defendant knew or should have known of the 

that the conditions on boards its vessels described in paragraph 70 above which caused 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 26 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 27 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

and/or resulted in Plaintiffs’ injuries and suffering yet did nothing correct them. 

74. In the alternative, the foregoing conditions referenced in paragraph 47

existed for a sufficient length of time so that Defendant, in the exercise of reasonable care 

should have learned of them and corrected them.

75. As a result of Defendant’s negligence, Plaintiffs became more susceptible 

and/or vulnerable to other illness and/or medical conditions, including pre-existing illness 

and/or medical conditions, and were injured about their bodies and/or extremities. 

Plaintiffs also suffered physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, future physical and 

medical problems and/or the reasonable fear of developing future physical and medical

problems. Plaintiffs also lost enjoyment of life, and suffered physical and/or functional 

disability, physical and/or functional impairment. Plaintiffs were also inconvenienced in 

the normal pursuits and pleasures of life and suffered from feelings of economic insecurity 

caused their mental suffering, injuries and distress. Plaintiffs also incurred medical expenses 

in the care and treatment of their injuries, suffered physical handicap, lost wages, income 

lost in the past, and their working abilities and/or earning capacities have been impaired. 

Plaintiffs injuries and damages are permanent or continuing in nature, and they will suffer 

these losses and impairments in the future.

WHEREFORE, PLAINTIFFS and others similarly situated demand judgment for 

all damages recoverable under the law against the Defendant and demand trial by jury.

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 27 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 28 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

COUNT V

UNSEAWORTHINESS

[CLASS & INDIVIDUAL CLAIM]

76. Plaintiffs re-allege, incorporate by reference, and adopt paragraphs 1 

through 45 above as though originally alleged herein. 

77. At all times material hereto, Defendant had an absolute and non-delegable 

duty to maintain the vessels on which Plaintiffs served in a seaworthy condition.

78. At all times material hereto, Defendant’s vessels were unseaworthy and 

such unseaworthiness were a legal cause of injury and damage to the Plaintiffs by reason 

that include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. The vessels were not reasonably fit for their intended purposes;

b. The vessels’ crew was not reasonably fit for the vessels’ intended purpose;

c. The CDC’s no sail order in light of the cruise industry’s role in facilitating 

the worldwide spread of the pandemic is per-se evidence that no vessel in 

Defendant’s fleet was in a seaworthy state due to the ubiquitous nature of 

the virus on board ships in Defendant’s fleet;

d. The vessels were negligently designed insofar as their inability to undertake 

or effectuate reasonable precautionary measures to impede or slow the 

spread of contagions once present on board; which resulted in all vessels in 

Defendants’ fleet, as well as the rest of the global cruise fleet, being a 

catalyst for the virus’s spread across the globe, and not coincidentally, 

exposing passengers and crew in the process;

e. The vessels failed to have and/or enforce means to reasonably restrict 

individuals’ access to the vessels (including, but not limited to 

CELEBRITY’s passengers and crew that were possibly or definitively 

exposed to the novel coronavirus, and CELEBRITY actually or 

constructively knew of the dangerous conditions aboard its vessels;

f. The vessels failed to have and/or enforce means to reasonably examine all 

individuals whom Defendant permitted to board the vessels to determine 

whether any of them exhibited symptoms consistent with a positive 

COVID-19 diagnosis, including, but not limited to, determining whether 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 28 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 29 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

any individual permitted to board the vessels exhibited symptoms of fever, 

cough, and/or shortness of breath;

g. The vessels failed to have and/or enforce means to timely enact vessel-wide 

social distancing measures, including, but not limited to a requirement that 

all shipboard individuals maintain separation of at least six (6) feet;

f. The vessels failed to have and/or enforce means to timely quarantine those 

passenger and/or crewmembers whom Defendant reasonably suspected 

had contracted COVID-19;

g. The vessels failed to have and/or enforce means to reasonably and/or 

timely identify passengers and/or crewmembers who recently traveled to 

COVID-19 high risk/exposure locations;

h. The vessels failed to have and/or enforce means to reasonably test all 

individuals whom Defendant permitted to board the vessels for COVID-19 

and/or those with classic COVID-19 symptoms;

i. The vessels failed to have and/or enforce means to reasonably educate 

crewmembers as to the explosive contagiousness of COVID-19, including 

but not limited to explaining to crewmembers ways they can reduce and/or 

eliminate their exposure to COVID-19 aboard the vessels;

j. The vessels failed to have and/or enforce adequate policies and procedures 

in place to manage and contain the outbreak and spread of COVID-19 

and/or virus and/or infectious disease;

k. The vessels were not sanitary to the extent necessary to prevent outbreaks 

of COVID-19 and/or virus and/or infectious diseases, including, but not 

limited to, their inadequate and/or ineffective cleaning/sanitary 

procedures and/or lack of equipment and supplies;

l. The vessels were not equipped with a sufficient amount of cleaning and/or 

disinfectant equipment and/or personal protective equipment; and/or

m. The vessels were not manned with a sufficient number of competent 

crewmembers responsible for cleaning and/or disinfecting the ship in view 

of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

79. The above acts and/or omissions caused and/or contributed to Plaintiffs 

and others similarly situated aboard Defendants’ vessels to sustain personal injuries.

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 29 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 30 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

80. At all times material hereto, Defendant knew or should have known of the 

foregoing conditions which caused and/or resulted in Plaintiffs’ injuries and/or death 

and did not correct them. In the alternative, the foregoing conditions existed for a 

sufficient length of time so that Defendant, in the exercise of reasonable care should have 

learned of them and corrected them.

81. As a result of the unseaworthiness of the vessels, Plaintiffs were injured 

physically, mentally and emotionally; became more susceptible and/or vulnerable to 

other physical injury, illness and/or medical conditions, including aggravation of preexisting illness and/or medical conditions, and were injured about their bodies and/or 

extremities. Plaintiffs also suffered physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, reduced 

lung function and/or capacity, future physical and medical problems (including but not 

limited to reduced lung function and/or capacity) and/or the reasonable fear of 

developing future physical and medical problems. Plaintiffs also lost enjoyment of life, 

and suffered physical and/or functional disability, physical and/or functional 

impairment. Plaintiffs were also inconvenienced in the normal pursuits and pleasures of 

life and suffered from feelings of economic insecurity caused by disability, disfigurement. 

Plaintiffs also suffered aggravation of any previously existing conditions, incurred 

medical expenses in the care and treatment of their injuries, suffered physical handicap, 

lost wages, income lost in the past, and their working abilities and/or earning capacities 

have been impaired. Plaintiffs injuries and damages are permanent or continuing in 

nature, and they will suffer these losses and impairments in the future.

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 30 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 31 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated demand judgment for all 

damages recoverable under the law against the Defendant and demand trial by jury.

COUNT VI

FAILURE TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE AND CURE

[CLASS & INDIVIDUAL CLAIM]

82. Plaintiffs re-allege, incorporate by reference, and adopt paragraphs 1 

through 45 above as though originally alleged herein. 

83. Plaintiffs have been injured emotionally and physically over the course of 

the last three months as a result of CELEBRITY’s intentional discrimination due to their 

national origins.

84. Under the General Maritime Law, Plaintiffs, as seamen, are entitled to m 

medical treatment for injuries, ailments or maladies that manifest during the course of their 

service on a vessel pursuant to the centuries old mandate that vessel operators assist their 

employees return to full strength, or as close thereto as medically possible, for their 

shipboard medical conditions they sustained. 

85. They are entitled to recover maintenance and cure from Defendant, their 

employer, until they are declared to have achieved Maximum Medical Improvement 

(MMI) and/or Maximum Medical Cure (MMC). Maintenance and cure include unearned 

wages (regular wages, overtime, vacation pay and tips), which the seamen reasonably 

anticipated to earn through the end of the contract or voyage, whichever is longer. In 

addition, an MMI declaration must be unequivocal, and if not, any doubts or controversy 

regarding whether the seaman is at MMI must be resolved in the seaman’s favor.

86. To date, no medical professional has declared that any Plaintiff has 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 31 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 32 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

achieved MMI, and all Plaintiffs are therefore entitled to receive from Defendant medical 

treatment from physicians of their choice and daily maintenance payments until they a 

medical professional declares each of them, respectively, at MMI.

87. At all times material hereto, Defendant willfully and/or callously delayed, 

failed and/or refused to provide Plaintiffs with their full entitlement to maintenance and 

cure, and/or Defendant willfully and/or callously delayed, failed and/or refused to 

provide the Plaintiffs the level of medical treatment and/or maintenance they require to 

recover from conditions they have acquired either through new injuries or illness, or 

aggravation of preexisting injuries or maladies, can no longer reasonably support 

themselves as they convalesce, such that Plaintiffs have become obligated seek the

undersigned’s legal services and pay the undersigned a reasonable attorney’s fee.

88. At all times material hereto, Defendant’s failure to provide Plaintiffs the 

entire maintenance and cure they are due has been willful, arbitrary, capricious, in 

violation of the law, and/or in callous disregard for Plaintiffs’ right as seamen. As such, 

Plaintiffs would be entitled to recover their attorneys’ fees from Defendant under the 

General Maritime Law of the United States and potentially punitive damages.

89. At all times material hereto, Defendant’s unreasonable and/or callous 

failure to pay or provide Plaintiffs with maintenance and cure aggravated Plaintiffs’ 

conditions and caused them to suffer additional compensatory damages, including, but 

not limited to, the aggravation of their physical condition, disability, pain and suffering, 

reasonable fear of developing future physical and medical problems, mental anguish, loss 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 32 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 33 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

of enjoyment of life, feelings of economic insecurity as well as lost earnings or earning 

capacity, and medical and hospital expenses in the past and into the future.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated demand judgment for all 

damages recoverable under the law against the Defendant and demand trial by jury.

COUNT VII

FAILURE TO PROVIDE PROMPT, PROPER & ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE

[CLASS & INDIVIDUAL CLAIM]

90. Plaintiffs re-allege, incorporate by reference, and adopt paragraphs one (1) 

through forty-five (45) above as though originally alleged herein.

91. At all times material hereto, Defendant had an absolute and non-delegable 

duty to provide Plaintiffs with prompt, proper, and adequate medical care.

92. At all times material hereto, Defendant, through its employees, agents, the 

shipboard and/or shoreside physicians and/or nurses, negligently failed to provide 

Plaintiffs with prompt, proper, and adequate medical care. Defendant’s acts and/or 

omissions, as outlined below, caused, contributed and/or played a substantial part in 

bringing about Plaintiffs’ injuries and damages. Defendant’s negligent acts/omissions 

include, but were limited to:

a. Failure to promptly, properly, and adequately diagnose and/or treat 

Plaintiffs’ once Defendant became aware of their symptoms and/or 

diagnoses;

b. Failure to select, retain and/or utilize competent, skilled and properly 

trained medical care providers on board the vessel and shoreside to provide 

Plaintiffs with prompt, proper and adequate medical care;

c. Failure to utilize proper and adequate medical equipment with which to 

provide Plaintiffs proper and adequate medical care;

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 33 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 34 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

d. Failure to properly medically manage Plaintiffs’ medical infirmities and 

injuries once Defendant became aware of their symptoms and/or 

diagnoses;

e. Failure to timely disembark Plaintiffs to provide them prompt, proper, and 

adequate medical treatment ashore without delay;

f. Defendant’s failure to reimburse and/or failure to timely reimburse 

Plaintiffs for their out-of-pocket medical expenses;

g. Defendant failure to authorize and/or failure to provide Plaintiffs with 

prompt shoreside medical care; and/or

h. Defendant prematurely terminating Plaintiffs’ medical care before they 

achieved MMI and/or MMC.

93. The above acts and/or omissions caused and/or contributed to Plaintiffs 

and others similarly situated aboard Defendants’ vessels to contract COVID-19 and/or 

other virus and/or medical complications, sustain personal injuries and/or death.

94. At all times material hereto, Defendant knew or should have known of the 

foregoing conditions which caused and/or resulted in Plaintiffs’ injuries and/or death 

and did not correct them. In the alternative, the foregoing conditions existed for a 

sufficient length of time so that Defendant, in the exercise of reasonable care should have 

learned of them and corrected them.

95. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s acts and/or omissions, as 

outlined above, Plaintiffs suffered additional pain, disability and/or their recovery was 

prolonged. In addition, Plaintiffs became more susceptible and/or vulnerable to other 

illness and/or medical conditions, including pre-existing illness and/or medical 

conditions, and were injured about their bodies and/or extremities. Plaintiffs also 

suffered physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, future physical and medical 

problems, loss of the joy of life, and suffered physical and/or functional disability, 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 34 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 35 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

physical and/or functional impairment. Plaintiffs were also inconvenienced in the 

normal pursuits and pleasures of life and suffered from feelings of economic insecurity 

caused by disability, disfigurement. Plaintiffs also suffered aggravation of any previously 

existing conditions as a result of Defendant’s actions, incurred medical expenses in the 

care and treatment of their injuries, suffered physical handicap, lost wages, income lost 

in the past, and their working abilities and/or earning capacities have been impaired.. 

Plaintiffs injuries and damages are permanent or continuing in nature, and they will 

suffer these losses and impairments in the future.

96. This Count is alleged separately from Jones Act negligence asserted above 

pursuant to Joyce v. Atlantic Richfield Company, 651 F. 2d 676 (10th Cir. 1981), which states, 

in part, “Negligent failure to provide prompt medical attention to a seriously injured 

seaman gives rise to a separate claim for relief [for which separate damages are 

awardable].”

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated demand judgment for all 

damages recoverable under the law against the Defendant and demand trial by jury.

COUNT VIII

WAGES AND PENALTIES PURSUANT TO 46 U.S.C. § 10313 

[CLASS & INDIVIDUAL CLAIM]

97. Plaintiffs re-allege, incorporate by reference, and adopt paragraphs one (1) 

through forty-five (45) above as though originally alleged herein.

98. At all times material hereto, Plaintiffs were employed as a seaman in the 

service of the vessel.

99. While in the service of the ship, Plaintiffs performed all the work required 

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 35 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 36 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

of them, and carried out the orders given their superiors.

100. Plaintiffs were discharged without any just or sufficient cause. At the time 

of Plaintiffs‘ discharge, the vessel was, and remains in, a port of the United States.

101. At the time of Plaintiffs discharge, Defendant did not pay Plaintiff all 

of their earned wages, including reimbursement of deductions previously made of

Plaintiffs’ wages. Defendant has sole custody and control of Plaintiffs wage 

records and personnel files. These documents are needed by Plaintiff to review to 

show exact dates and amounts with respect to earned wages owing to Plaintiff and 

deductions made from such earned wages.

102. At the time of Plaintiffs’ discharge, Plaintiff demanded all their wages, 

including reimbursement of deductions made from Plaintiff s earned wages.

103. Defendant refused to pay Plaintiffs all their earned wages or reimburse 

Plaintiffs for the deductions made there from, without sufficient cause.

104. Under 46 U.S.C.A. Section 10313, Plaintiff is entitled to his earned wages,

deductions, and two days wages for each day payment is delayed.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands all damages entitled to by law, attorney's fees, 

prejudgment and post-judgment interest, costs and demands jury trial of all issues so 

triable.

[ SPACE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY]

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 36 of 37
MAGLANA V. CELEBRITY CRUISE INC.

CASE NO.:

o 37 o 

Delgado Trial Attorneys • 10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 • Miami, FL 33176

(305) 596-7911 • (305) 927-3678 • Toll Free (877) 372-0817 • Fax (305) 397-2654 

www.CruiseLawyerMiami.com

Respectfully submitted this on this 21st day of MAY, 2020.

BY: ________________________

RAUL G. DELGADO II, ESQ.

Florida Bar No. 094004 

raul@cruiselawyermiami.com

Raulsr@cruiselawyermiami.com

heidi@cruiselawyermiami.com

filing@cruiselawyermiami.com

DELGADO TRIAL ATTORNEYS

Attorneys for Plaintiff

10661 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 210 

Miami, FL 33176

Ph: (305) 596-7911

Cell: (305) 972-0817

Fax: (305) 397-2654

Toll Free: 1(877) 372-0817

Case 1:20-cv-22133-JEM Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 05/21/2020 Page 37 of 37