A cruise guest injured on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas after the Frightening Bolt waterslide broke mid-ride is now pursuing legal action against the cruise line.
The passenger, who has not been identified, sustained lacerations to his legs and hands on 7th August 2025 when an acrylic glass section of the slide shattered.
The accident occurred on “the tallest waterslide at sea”, part of the Category 6 Waterpark, which features a 46-foot drop and a full 360-degree loop.
While the rider did not fall through the resulting hole, water poured from the slide onto loungers below, soaking sunbathers and creating slip hazards.
A new video shows the moment the slide broke:
The ship’s medical team treated the man immediately, though the full extent of his injuries has not been disclosed.
Two days after disembarking in Miami on 9th August, the man announced through his legal representatives, Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., that he would be seeking compensation.
The Florida-based firm specialises in maritime and cruise injury cases and has recovered more than $500 million for clients.
“Cruise ships have a responsibility to ensure that the attractions they open and encourage passengers to use are safe,
“We are thankful for the trust this family has placed in us to represent them.”
Maritime attorney Alex Perez
Ongoing Investigation
The Frightening Bolt slide remained closed for the remainder of the voyage while engineers assessed the damage.
Royal Caribbean is investigating whether the failure was due to a manufacturing defect, installation problem, or unforeseen impact. No timeline has been given for repairs.
Some rumours had circulated online that the cause was the weight of the guest, but these appear to be completely unfounded – a reminder to always be careful of trusting what you read online.
The five other waterslides in the Category 6 Waterpark continue to operate normally, but the identical Frightening Bolt slide aboard Royal Caribbean’s new Star of the Seas has also been closed as a precaution.
The incident comes at an awkward time for the brand, with Star of the Seas currently being previewed by travel agents and media ahead of her official launch.
Royal Caribbean says guest safety is its top priority and that it often exceeds international requirements under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention and the US Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act.
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