Israeli Cruise Company Meno Shipping Faces Multi-Million Lawsuit Over Mediterranean Voyage Failures
A multi-million shekel lawsuit was filed last week at the Haifa District Court against Israeli cruise and tourism company Meno Shipping. The suit concerns the summer 2026 voyage of the cruise ship Crown Iris, which departed Haifa port on June 21, 2026, and was described by plaintiffs as a "continuous nightmare." The 35-page complaint, submitted by attorney Liron Freminger on behalf of passengers from that trip and potentially hundreds more in a class-action, details numerous alleged failures and hardships during the cruise.
According to the lawsuit, the ship's scheduled 1:30 p.m. departure was delayed until around 6 p.m., marking the start of a series of malfunctions. Crown Iris is Meno Shipping's flagship and the only vessel operating regular cruises from Israel since October 7, 2023. The company has faced operational challenges due to post-COVID conditions and regional security tensions affecting foreign ports.
Passengers reported severe air conditioning failures causing unbearable heat and suffocation in cabins and public areas like the lobby and casino. One pool was closed and empty, eliminating relief from the heat. Additionally, yellow-colored water flowed from taps on some days, rendering basic hygiene impossible. The cruise itinerary was unilaterally altered, skipping originally planned stops in Rhodes, Greece, and Agios Nikolaos, Crete, in favor of Limassol, Cyprus.
A critical safety incident occurred when the gangway to the deck fell and tore during the Rhodes stop, causing fear and raising concerns about ship maintenance and passenger safety. Passengers also complained of dismissive and indifferent treatment by crew and company representatives, with requests for explanations or assistance largely ignored. They were reportedly asked not to photograph the ship's deficiencies.
The plaintiffs paid approximately 2,500 euros per family of four and claim they were sold a "dream vacation" but endured a "journey of suffering." Freminger demands about 4 million shekels in compensation, calculated as 2,000 shekels per roughly 2,000 passengers, citing negligence in ship maintenance and customer care.
Meno Shipping rejected the allegations, stating most passengers enjoyed a full-board vacation with gourmet meals, international shows, entertainment, pools, water slides, sports facilities, and visits to two foreign destinations. The company said it will present evidence and passenger testimonies in court that contradict the plaintiffs' claims and highlighted positive feedback and repeat customers as proof of satisfactory service.
