FDA finds Legionnaires’ disease on American Cruise Lines’ ships

Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.

American Cruise Lines Legionnaires’ disease overview: 

• Who: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent a warning letter to American Cruise Lines Inc. 
• Why: The FDA warned American Cruise Lines that it needed to adequately address Legionnaires’ disease contamination found by the agency on two of the cruise lines ships. 
• Where: American Cruise Lines is based in Guilford, Connecticut. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter to American Cruise Lines after the agency said it found evidence of Legionnaires’ disease in drinking water on two of the company’s ships.

The FDA said it discovered Legionnaires’ disease — which was found on showerheads and faucets in passenger cabins — on the cruise liners’ American Star and American Heritage ships, after three passengers became ill with the pneumonia strain of the disease. 

The cruise operator, meanwhile, did not change its procedures after it was notified that one of its passengers contracted Legionnaires’ disease by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in November 2021, according to the FDA. 

The FDA — which conducted a pair of investigations last year and one in December 2021 — has warned American Cruise Lines that, going forward, failing to “adequately address” the contamination could lead to seizure and injunction, without limitation. 

American Cruise Lines has been given within 15 working days to notify the agency in writing the specific steps the small-ship cruise line has taken to address alleged violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 

FDA concerned other American Cruise Lines’ ships could have a Legionnaires’ contamination due to company’s practices

The FDA said it is not aware of the company’s other ships having Legionnaires’ contamination, it has concerns the bacteria may be present in their potable water “based on your practices on the American Star and American Heritage.” 

“If adequate practices are not followed regarding potable water on those vessels, there is a potential for waterborne illnesses to occur,” the FDA said. 

The FDA stressed it would “not be appropriate” for the cruise company to wait until a confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease arose on another one of the company’s ships for it to address its water-safety practices. 

“As a reminder, people at increased risk of Legionnaire’s disease include those 50 years of age or older and we understand that the majority of your passengers onboard the American Star and American Heritage exceed this age,” the FDA said. 

American Cruise Lines agreed in 2016 to pay $1 million to resolve claims the company violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by allegedly failing to pay its stewards overtime and minimum wage. 

Have you contracted Legionnaires’ disease after taking a cruise? Let us know in the comments! 

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Las Vegas hotel class action alleges companies conspired to inflate prices on Strip
• Airlines face class action lawsuit claims over delays, fares, military leave
• Men arrested after allegedly conspiring with Russians to hack taxi dispatch system at JFK
• NY Transit Agency settles ADA class actions by promising to add elevators, ramps to subway stations