Miami Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
The Icon of the Seas Water Slide Incident
On August 7th, 2025, a Royal Caribbean passenger suffered injuries when a piece of acrylic glass panel on the “Frightening Bolt” shattered. There are mixed accounts about whether the passenger actually fell out of the slide or was lacerated. One recent video on TikTok shows a passenger falling out of the slide itself. It is still unclear whether or not the video of the passenger falling out of the slide is authentic. If so, a serious or catastrophic injury would seem likely. Witness accounts on social media have described seeing evidence of the slide in either a damaged or defective condition prior to when the passenger being sent down. While the full nature and extent of the passengers’ injuries are unknown our cruise ship lawyers are investigating the cause of the situation.
Reports vary on the extent of injuries. But given the limited medical resources cruise lines have available on them it is understandable why the severity of the injuries may be unknown. Not to mention, cruise lines rarely publicize passenger injuries in cases where there is obvious legal liability, or ever for that matter.
This latest incident underscores the dangers of water slides on cruises ships as demand grows for larger ships, with more amusement park like attractions and attempts to retrofit amusement rides on cruise vessels. While some of these features can be done safely- there are limits too. When the practical safety considerations are overlooked for the WOW factor the results can be dangerous if not catastrophic.
Too often, cruise ship accidents and injuries on water slides are due to a number of causes. Sometimes more than one. They include negligent maintenance, negligent training and installation, defective designs, failing to inspect, negligent supervision, inadequate staffing, and inadequate safety protocols.
Because cruise lines also rely on foreign labor, there are often language and communication barriers given the number of different crew members from foreign countries. Most passengers assume cruise lines are as safe as any other land-based attraction. Most cruise lines actually market that you’re actually safer at sea than you are on land. But that notion is false. Cruise lines are not required to disclose passenger injuries voluntarily. They suppress the information from the public domain. Unlike in a land-based setting you can’t go to the local police department and request a police or incident report. That is based on United States Supreme Court precedent. This means cruise line incident reports are legally protected from disclosure. You have to file a lawsuit to find out what happened and why. And you would be surprised what they report when a court orders them to do so, and even more so, what they don’t and why.
While cruises are fun and can be safe, they are also more dangerous than many realize. Slippery floor surfaces, tripping hazards, and failing to follow simple safety rules, too often result in accident and serious injuries. In the Icon of the Seas case, other attractions like cruise ship water slides and onboard water park attractions promise passengers excitement and entertainment—but when safety measures fail, these rides can quickly turn dangerous.
Recent events, like the August 2025 Icon of the Seas slide malfunction, (if you want to even call it that) have proven that even new state of the art vessels with advanced amenities can pose serious safety risks and hazards to passengers. At Gerson & Schwartz, P.A., our cruise ship injury attorneys have decades of experience representing passengers injured in slide crashes, collisions, and water park accidents caused by negligent maintenance, inadequate staffing, and unsafe designs. We understand the unique risks of operating amusement rides at sea—and how those risks increase when cruise lines cut corners. We have tried water crash cases to verdict involving passengers and minor children that have been seriously injured in slide injury cases in virtually every scenario.
Common Causes of Cruise Ship Water Slide Injuries
Unlike land-based parks, cruise ship water attractions operate in a harsh, constantly moving marine environment. Sea spray and other elements of maritime activity can contribute to mechanical, engineering and structural errors. More common failures that cause injuries in slide accident cases include:
- Failing to conduct adequate safety inspections before and during voyages
- Failing to staff and deploy a sufficient number of trained personnel to monitor slides and attractions
- Failing to properly train crew members in water slide safety, emergency procedures, and ride operation
- Communication failures.
- Faling to follow slide clear procedures
- Retrofitting land-based attractions onto ships without accounting for marine-specific safety requirements
- Saltwater corrosion and constant ship movement, which can weaken equipment and create unpredictable ride forces
- Language barriers among crew, since cruise ship staff are often hired from around the world, leading to communication breakdowns in emergencies, including slide crashes and collisions.
- Inadequate supervision or enforcement of rider rules
- Electrical component malfunctions
- Malfunctioning pumps, gates, or water flow systems
- Overcrowding and poor traffic control at ride entrances and exits
Cruise Ship Slide Passenger Safety Tips
- While cruise lines have a duty to provide safe attractions, passengers can reduce risk by:
- Following all posted rules and height/weight limits
- Avoiding rides that show visible damage, rust, or uneven water flow
- Supervising children closely—never assuming staff are watching
- Reporting slippery or unsafe conditions to crew immediately
- Being cautious when seas are rough, as movement can make rides more dangerous
Your Legal Rights After a Cruise Ship Water Slide Accident:
- If you are injured on a cruise ship water slide or water park attraction:
- Report the incident immediately to the ship’s medical and security staff.
- Document the scene—take photos of hazards, equipment, and your injuries.
- Get witness contact information for later testimony.
- Seek medical care both onboard and upon returning to port.
- Contact a maritime injury lawyer right away—many cruise contracts limit claims to just one year.
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive if Injured on a Cruise Ship?
Compensatory Damages are intended to compensate the injured party for actual losses. Our lawyers can help recover money damages as compensation for:
- Medical Expenses
- Past and future medical costs, including hospital bills, surgeries, prescriptions, therapy, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Income / Lost Earning Capacity
- Wages lost due to the injury and diminished ability to earn income in the future.
- Pain and Suffering
- Compensation for physical pain and discomfort caused by the injury.
- Emotional Distress / Mental Anguish
- Psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or humiliation.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Inability to engage in activities and hobbies once enjoyed due to the injury.
- Loss of Consortium
- Loss of companionship, support, or services of a spouse (availability may vary under federal law depending on the context).
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement
- Compensation for lasting physical impairments or scarring.
Why Hire a Cruise Lawyer – HOW WE DO IT.
We are not just personal injury lawyers—we are trial attorneys with decades of success in cruise line and maritime personal injury litigation. Our firm has tried cruise ship water slide injury cases to verdict. Our lawyers have recovered substantial compensation for passengers harmed by unsafe attractions.
We understand the unique combination of legal, and hire engineers, accident reconstructionist, along with other maritime safety experts to evaluate operational factors to learn the root cause of how incidents happen and what could have been done to prevent them from occurring. We know what to and how to hold cruise lines accountable.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slide Accident Lawyer in Florida
Call Us Toll Free at 877-477-2905 Or email us at info@gslawusa.com
Free Consultations. No Fee Unless We Win.
Related Reading
Cruise Ship Water Slide Accidents
Cruise Ship Accidents and What to Do.
