Carnival Cruise Line Sued After Passenger Slips at Lido Marketplace Buffet on Carnival Celebration
Melissa Martinez, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation following a slip and fall incident aboard the Carnival Celebration. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25213-KMM, alleges that Martinez was injured after slipping on a wet floor inside the Lido Marketplace buffet area during her cruise on or about October 10, 2023.
Passenger Alleges Wet Floor in Carnival Celebration Buffet Caused Serious Fall
According to the complaint, Martinez was walking through the Lido Marketplace on Deck 16 when she slipped and fell on a transitory substance on the tile flooring. The area where she fell allegedly lacked any visible warning signs, cones, or staff supervision despite being a high-traffic dining zone where food and drink spills are foreseeable.
Martinez claims she suffered significant physical injuries, including trauma to her head and body, as well as emotional distress and the inability to enjoy the remainder of her cruise. She asserts that the wet surface was not open and obvious, and that she had no opportunity to avoid the hazard due to its clear, liquid nature blending in with the flooring.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Inspect, Warn, and Maintain Buffet Flooring on Carnival Celebration
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival breached its duty of care by failing to:
- Regularly inspect and clean the buffet area
- Warn passengers of slippery conditions
- Employ adequate supervision or hazard response protocols
- Implement flooring suitable for food-related spills
The Lido Marketplace, according to the complaint, is an area where Carnival should expect frequent spills and is required under maritime law to maintain heightened vigilance to prevent slip and fall incidents. The absence of any visible warnings or barricades is cited as evidence of negligence.
Lawsuit Cites Pattern of Similar Passenger Incidents Aboard Carnival Ships in Buffet and Dining Areas
To establish notice and foreseeability, Martinez’s legal team references numerous prior lawsuits involving passengers who slipped in buffet areas on Carnival ships. These include:
- Younce v. Carnival Corp. (2022), involving a fall in a buffet line
- Thompson v. Carnival Corp. (2023), a slip near beverage stations
- Lopez v. Carnival Corp. (2021), fall in the Lido Marketplace on a sister ship
Martinez argues that Carnival knew or should have known of the danger posed by spills and food debris in self-service dining zones but failed to implement appropriate mitigation strategies. The complaint further alleges that Carnival’s own safety manuals and “Two Minute Trainer” documents instruct staff to place caution signage and guard hazardous areas, but these procedures were not followed in this instance.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Physical Injury, Emotional Distress, and Lost Cruise Value
Martinez is seeking damages in excess of $75,000, including compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, emotional suffering, and diminished quality of life. The injuries are described as continuing and possibly permanent. The complaint also includes a claim for the loss of enjoyment and value of the cruise itself, disrupted by the fall and its aftermath.
Buffet Area Slips Are Among the Most Common Cruise Ship Accidents—Know Your Rights
Slip and fall injuries in buffet and dining areas are among the most frequently reported passenger accidents aboard cruise ships. Cruise lines like Carnival must maintain clean, dry walking surfaces in food service zones and promptly warn of any hazards. If you’ve been injured in a similar incident due to wet or unsafe flooring in a cruise ship buffet, you may have a claim under maritime law.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.
Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
