Royal Caribbean Injury Lawyer: New York Passenger Sues Over Slip-and-Fall on Wet Solarium Deck Aboard Celebrity Reflection
A New York resident has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., alleging that she suffered severe injuries after slipping on a wet and unmarked deck surface near the hot tub area aboard the Celebrity Reflection. The case, Pellegrino v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (Case No. 1:25-cv-21022-RKA), raises concerns about cruise ship deck safety, failure to maintain passenger walkways, and Royal Caribbean’s negligence in preventing known hazards in high-traffic areas.
Slip-and-Fall Accident Aboard Celebrity Reflection
On March 10, 2024, the plaintiff, a fare-paying passenger aboard Celebrity Reflection, was walking near the Solarium hot tub area when she suddenly slipped on a wet, unmarked surface and fell to the ground.
According to the complaint:
- The wet flooring blended into the surrounding surface, making it difficult to detect.
- A crew member holding a mop was standing nearby, but no warning signs or barriers were placed to alert passengers.
- The deck material was excessively slippery when wet, increasing the likelihood of falls.
- The plaintiff suffered severe injuries, including fractures and nerve damage, requiring surgery and prolonged medical treatment after being medically disembarked in Mexico.
Allegations Against Royal Caribbean
The lawsuit accuses Royal Caribbean of negligence, claiming the cruise line:
- Failed to maintain the deck in a safe condition – The plaintiff argues that Royal Caribbean knew that the Solarium deck frequently became dangerously slippery yet failed to install slip-resistant flooring or implement proper drainage measures.
- Failed to warn passengers of the hazard – The complaint alleges that no caution signs, warning markers, or crew instructions were provided to alert passengers about the wet surface near the hot tub area.
- Negligent maintenance of the ship’s decking – The plaintiff claims that Royal Caribbean failed to properly train crew members on how to safely manage and clean wet surfaces in high-traffic areas.
- Failure to address prior slip-and-fall incidents – The lawsuit states that Royal Caribbean had prior knowledge of similar slip-and-fall incidents in the Solarium area aboard Celebrity Reflection and other vessels in its fleet yet failed to take corrective action.
Prior Slip-and-Fall Incidents Aboard Royal Caribbean Ships
The complaint references several prior legal claims involving wet deck injuries aboard Royal Caribbean ships, including:
- Gomez v. Royal Caribbean (Case No. 1:23-cv-21045) – Passenger slipped on a wet deck near the Solarium aboard Celebrity Equinox in April 2023.
- Lowe v. Royal Caribbean (Case No. 1:22-cv-22112) – Passenger suffered a fractured ankle after slipping on a wet deck near the hot tub area on Symphony of the Seas in July 2022.
- Stewart v. Royal Caribbean (Case No. 1:21-cv-20078) – Passenger sustained head trauma after slipping near the outdoor pool deck on Navigator of the Seas in September 2021.
The lawsuit argues that these prior cases should have put Royal Caribbean on notice that slip-and-fall incidents in wet deck areas were foreseeable and preventable, yet the cruise line failed to implement safety measures.
Royal Caribbean Injury Lawyer Perspective: Legal Implications for Cruise Ship Safety
This case raises questions about Royal Caribbean’s duty of care to prevent foreseeable slip-and-fall accidents aboard its vessels, including:
- Should cruise lines be required to install non-slip surfaces in high-risk wet areas such as pool and Solarium decks?
- Is Royal Caribbean liable for failing to place warning signs in known wet deck areas?
- Does the cruise line’s history of prior slip-and-fall incidents establish negligence?
- What duty does Royal Caribbean have to properly train crew members on wet deck maintenance and passenger safety?
What Happens Next?
The case will likely focus on:
- Whether Royal Caribbean had prior knowledge of the dangerous deck conditions and failed to take corrective action.
- If the cruise line’s failure to warn passengers directly contributed to the plaintiff’s injuries.
- Whether Royal Caribbean’s maintenance and deck safety policies meet industry standards.
- Will Royal Caribbean argue that the plaintiff should have been more careful, or will this case expose systemic safety failures in deck maintenance aboard Celebrity Reflection?
Stay tuned as Cruise Lawyer Weekly continues to track this legal battle and its potential impact on cruise ship safety regulations and maritime law.
