Texas Passenger Files Trip and Fall Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean After Raised Metal Threshold Incident on Harmony of the Seas
On April 24, 2025, Hiltraud Keller, a Texas resident, filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Keller alleges that she suffered serious injuries after tripping and falling over an unmarked, raised metal threshold on Deck 3 of the Harmony of the Seas on May 26, 2024.
Hiltraud Keller Sues Royal Caribbean for Serious Trip and Fall Injuries on Deck 3 of Harmony of the Seas Cruise Ship
According to the Verified Complaint, Keller was near the vessel’s dining area when she encountered the unmarked raised threshold, which was not readily visible to passengers. The complaint asserts that this type of hazard—unique to the maritime environment—is not something passengers typically encounter in their daily lives and thus required special attention by the cruise line.
Keller claims Royal Caribbean failed to warn passengers of the dangerous condition and failed to properly maintain the area to prevent trip and fall accidents. The lawsuit seeks damages for medical expenses, physical injuries, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other related losses.
Legal Analysis: Cruise Line Responsibility for Trip and Fall Accidents Caused by Unmarked Raised Thresholds
Cruise operators owe passengers a duty of reasonable care under the circumstances, including an obligation to warn of hidden dangers and maintain the ship’s premises in a reasonably safe condition. Keller’s allegations focus both on negligent maintenance and failure to warn of the raised threshold hazard.
A Florida cruise ship trip and fall attorney would immediately recognize that Keller’s case is strengthened by references to multiple prior incidents involving raised thresholds aboard Royal Caribbean vessels—including documented falls on the Oasis of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas. The complaint argues that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known about the risk through these previous accidents yet failed to take corrective measures.
Royal Caribbean may argue comparative negligence or claim that the hazard was open and obvious. However, the complaint preemptively counters this by alleging that the threshold was unmarked and not readily noticeable, creating a hidden danger for passengers unfamiliar with such maritime hazards.
Trend and Policy Analysis: Ongoing Litigation Over Raised Threshold Trip and Fall Incidents on Cruise Ships
The Keller lawsuit mirrors a growing pattern of litigation against cruise lines for injuries related to unmarked raised thresholds and flooring level changes. Over the past five years, Royal Caribbean alone has faced multiple lawsuits involving similar accidents, raising questions about the adequacy of passenger warnings and the cruise line’s floor safety policies.
Industry standards and internal safety protocols often recommend marking or highlighting threshold changes to alert passengers. Failure to comply with these standards has increasingly led to findings of negligence in cruise ship personal injury lawsuits.
As more passengers bring claims for falls caused by hidden or unexpected obstacles aboard vessels, cruise lines may face mounting pressure to redesign walkways, enhance visual warnings, and improve overall safety inspections to reduce liability exposure.
Call a Florida Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one were injured after tripping over an unmarked threshold or dangerous surface aboard a cruise ship, you may have a valid claim for compensation. Contact a Florida cruise ship trip and fall lawyer today to protect your legal rights and seek the justice you deserve.
