Texas Woman Sues Regent Seven Seas in Miami After Tripping on Cabin Step Aboard Voyager
Terri Oliver, a Texas resident, boarded the Seven Seas Voyager in May 2024 expecting the kind of luxurious escape promised by Regent Seven Seas Cruises. But instead of relaxation, her vacation was upended by a fall in what should have been the safest place on board—her own cabin.
According to a federal lawsuit filed in Miami on April 10, 2025, Oliver suffered serious injuries after she tripped on an unmarked, rounded step inside her stateroom. The step lacked any visible warning, contrasting color, or non-slip strip at its edge—a feature the complaint says made it both hidden and hazardous.
Passenger Alleges Dangerous Cabin Design Caused Serious Injury on Regent Seven Seas Voyager
On May 18, 2024, while walking across her cabin floor, Oliver reportedly failed to detect a subtle elevation change—a single rounded step blending into the carpet. The result was a painful fall that caused what her attorneys describe as long-lasting and permanent injuries, including pain, loss of mobility, and the loss of enjoyment of her cruise.
The lawsuit alleges the hazard was not just poorly marked, but poorly designed. The flooring layout and materials, according to the complaint, were custom-designed and approved by Regent itself—and should have never passed safety review.
Legal Claims: Four Counts of Negligence
The complaint asserts multiple overlapping negligence claims under maritime law, all centered around one recurring allegation: Regent knew the cabin step posed a tripping hazard but failed to design, mark, or maintain it safely.
Count I – Negligent Design and Construction
- Regent allegedly participated directly in the design and selection of cabin layouts.
- The step had no non-slip strip or visual warning.
- Industry safety standards such as ASTM F1166 (human engineering for marine systems) were allegedly ignored.
Count II – Negligent Failure to Warn
- There were no signs or markings to alert passengers about the sudden change in level.
- Regent failed to train crew or implement procedures to notify guests of known tripping hazards inside staterooms.
Count III – Negligent Failure to Maintain
- Even if the step passed initial design, the cruise line failed to inspect or address the hazard through maintenance protocols.
- No slip-resistant coatings, trim, or warning tape were added—even though the issue could have been detected during cleaning or routine cabin inspections.
Count IV – General Negligence
- Regent allegedly failed to correct known tripping hazards despite prior similar incidents across its fleet—including a cited 2022 case involving an identical cabin layout on a Norwegian vessel (Ritcey v. NCL).
Alleged Injuries and Damages
As a result of the fall, Oliver’s injuries included:
- Physical pain and permanent impairment
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life and vacation
- Medical costs, both current and future
- Lost cruise fare and transportation expenses
The lawsuit alleges the injuries are permanent or continuing, and that Oliver will continue to suffer damages over time.
Broader Implications: When “Design Luxury” Becomes a Legal Liability
This case strikes at the heart of a recurring tension in the cruise industry: the intersection between aesthetics and safety. Cruise lines may invest heavily in sleek cabin designs and materials—but when those choices sacrifice function or safety, the legal consequences can be significant.
The lawsuit argues that Regent had full authority and control over the ship’s design—from architectural plans to final material selection—and failed to flag or fix a known hazard.
Key Takeaways for Cruise Passengers and Operators
For Passengers:
- Hazards may not always be obvious, even in your own stateroom.
- If you’re injured aboard a cruise, report the incident immediately and document the area—especially when the hazard is subtle, like an unmarked step.
For Cruise Lines:
- Design defects can give rise to liability—even when they pass through multiple layers of approval.
- ADA and ASTM compliance may become legal benchmarks in injury cases involving ship interiors.
- Confidential settlements, as cited in this complaint, may no longer shield cruise lines from claims of prior notice.
Call Today
If you’ve been injured on a cruise due to poor cabin design or hidden hazards, consult a maritime injury attorney.
You may be entitled to compensation under maritime law, but time limits apply—and design-based claims require swift investigation.
