Carnival claims Ruby Princess passengers who caught COVID-19 knew the risks

Ruby Princess passengers involved in a class action against parent company Carnival were left shocked by the defence provided by the cruising giant.

"Poppycock," 71-year-old Jennifer Philips said.

"There was not an inkling of COVID when we boarded.

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"If we had known then we wouldn't have taken the trip."

Mrs Philips and her husband George both contracted COVID-19 on board the ship.

In documents presented to the Federal Court, Carnival claims the Philips and hundreds of others share the blame for their infection.

Twenty-eight people died from coronavirus linked back to the cruised, and hundreds more were infected with the virus.

"The Applicant and the Passengers owed a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety, and not to act in a way which put themselves at risk", the document which summarised a collection of Carnivals' defences read.

The defence statement specifically mentioned the passengers "eating self-service food", "participating in activities on the ship in close proximity to others" and "failing to wear a mask".

"Essentially they say that the risk of contracting a contagious disease was obvious and that passengers should have known about that risk", Vicky Antzoulato, the class actions practice leader with Shine Lawyers said.

"If I was one of the people that have had their life torn apart by COVID-19 I'd be rightfully outraged."

That's exactly how Julie and George Philips feel.

"It is a life changer", Julie said from her home near Wollongong.

"The breathing – that's all gone kaput.

"You've got to learn how to breathe and energy-wise, no it's not there."

The class action is scheduled to go to mediation in August with a trial set down for March, 2022.