A passenger on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is taking legal action after a terrifying accident left him injured while riding one of the ship’s most popular water slides. The incident took place last Thursday on the ‘Frightening Bolt’, a towering slide that is part of the largest waterpark at sea.
As the man sped through the acrylic tube, a large panel on the left side of the slide suddenly cracked, leaving a hole and causing water to gush out. His attorney, Alex Perez, said the passenger’s skin was sliced by the broken panel, with the injury significant enough to warrant a lawsuit against the cruise line.
Footage of the moment, recorded by fellow passenger Jim Muldoon, quickly went viral on social media. In the video, startled guests can be seen pointing towards the damaged section, shouting warnings to those at the top of the ride. Muldoon is heard asking if the man had fallen, as other passengers rushed to alert the crew.
Witness Lillian Destefano described the situation as both shocking and lucky. She explained that the man who rode the slide before the injured guest had sustained a minor cut, but when the next rider came through, the damage worsened and the panel gave way. Water began pouring out in a torrent, forcing the immediate closure of the slide. “No one fell through, thank God,” she said.
Royal Caribbean issued a statement confirming that medical care was provided to the passenger on board and that the slide was shut down for the remainder of the journey while an investigation began. The ship completed its planned visit to Royal Caribbean’s private island, Coco Cay, before returning to Port Miami on Saturday morning.
The Icon of the Seas, launched as one of the largest cruise ships ever built, features 20 decks, over 2,800 cabins, and capacity for more than 9,000 people including crew. Its waterpark, which includes six massive slides and multiple record-breaking attractions, is a central draw for passengers seeking thrills at sea.
While Royal Caribbean promotes these attractions as world-class entertainment, the incident has sparked concern over safety protocols, particularly for high-speed water slides on board cruise ships. With the passenger now preparing to file a lawsuit, industry experts expect the case to draw attention to maintenance standards and inspection processes on floating resorts of this scale.
The legal outcome could have wider implications for cruise operators as they continue to push the limits of on-board entertainment. For now, guests booked on future Icon of the Seas sailings will find the ‘Frightening Bolt’ closed until repairs and safety checks are completed.
For the latest travel news, cruise updates, and destination guides, follow Travel Moves on Instagram and Facebook.
