Royal Caribbean Seeks Dismissal Of Libertad Act Lawsuit; Using Same Arguments Judge Agreed To For Two Other Cases

Certified claimant Havana Docks Corporation has filed four lawsuits using the Title III provision of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996 (known as “Libertad Act”). Given their similarities, one judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida is presiding over the four cases.

Two of the lawsuits (Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and MSC Cruises) were this month dismissed with prejudice by one judge; the dismissals with prejudice were unusual.

Those cases will be appealed by the plaintiff.

The remaining two defendants (Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises) have filed Motion To Dismiss or Motion For Judgement On The Pleadings using similar arguments as the judge supported in the two cases that were dismissed.

On 8 January 2020, Carnival Corporation agreed to provide Havana Docks Corporation with additional time (until 31 January 2020) to respond to its Motion for Reconsideration. LINK

0n 10 January 2020, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. filed a Motion for Judgement On The Pleadings.
LINK

If either or both of the remaining two cases are dismissed, Havana Docks Holdings will appeal.

If the judge denies the appeal, plaintiff or defendant could appeal to the three-judge Atlanta, Georgia-based Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

LINK To Libertad Act Lawsuit Filing Statistics
LINK To All Libertad Act Lawsuit Filings

The Four Lawsuits Filed By Havana Docks Corporation

HAVANA DOCKS CORPORATION VS. ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES, LTD. [1:19-cv-23590; Southern Florida District]

Colson Hicks Eidson, P.A. (plaintiff)
Margol & Margol, P.A. (plaintiff)
Holland & Knight (defendant)

HAVANA DOCKS CORPORATION V. NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HOLDINGS, LTD. [1:19-cv-23591; Southern Florida District]

Colson Hicks Eidson, P.A. (plaintiff)
Margol & Margol, P.A. (plaintiff)
Hogan Lovells US LLP (defendant)

HAVANA DOCKS CORPORATION V. MSC CRUISES SA CO, AND MSC CRUISES (USA) INC. [1:19-cv-23588; Southern Florida District]

Colson Hicks Eidson, P.A. (plaintiff)
Margol & Margol, P.A. (plaintiff)
Venable (defendant)

HAVANA DOCKS CORPORATION VS. CARNIVAL CORPORATION D/B/A/ CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES [1:19-cv-21724; Southern Florida District]

Colson Hicks Eidson, P.A. (plaintiff)
Margol & Margol, P.A. (plaintiff)
Jones Walker (defendant)
Boies Schiller Flexner LLP (defendant)
Akerman (defendant)