A U.S. couple is hoping to obtain class-action status for a lawsuit filed against Carnival Cruise Lines after a fire stranded a ship for days in the Gulf of Mexico.

The suit filed Monday by Matt and Melissa Crusan seeks to represent the more than 3,000 passengers who were on the Carnival Triumph when the fire broke out Feb. 10.

A judge must approve the motion to grant class-action status. Carnival requires all lawsuits to be filed in Miami, where the liner is based.

Cassie Terry was the first to sue the company, filing a lawsuit less than 24 hours after the boat docked last week.

Maritime attorneys say it's difficult to win such cases unless the plaintiffs can show actual injury or illness.

Carnival has said it won't comment.