Celebrity Cruises Sued After Slip and Fall in Oceanview Café Aboard Celebrity Apex
Marie Dorlus, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises, Inc. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25147-CMA, alleges that Dorlus suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping and falling on a wet and slippery tile floor inside the Oceanview Café aboard the Celebrity Apex on November 8, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Slips on Wet Tile Floor in Oceanview Café Aboard Celebrity Apex
According to the complaint, Dorlus was walking to her seat in the Oceanview Café when she slipped on a section of tan, highly polished tile that was unreasonably wet and slick. The lawsuit claims that a Celebrity crew member was nearby—within approximately ten to fifteen feet—and was looking directly toward the area where the fall occurred, yet failed to take action to clean or warn of the dangerous condition. Although a wet floor caution sign was reportedly present, Dorlus contends that it was insufficient to alert passengers of the hazard because the floor itself was visibly wet and slippery. Witnesses are said to have observed the tile to be slick prior to the incident.
As a result of the fall, Dorlus allegedly suffered a fractured left arm along with injuries to her shoulder, elbow, and lower back, leading to pain, suffering, and other lasting impairments.
Celebrity Cruises Accused of Failing to Maintain and Warn of Slippery Conditions in Dining Area
The lawsuit accuses Celebrity Cruises of negligence for failing to maintain the flooring in a safe condition and for not adequately warning passengers of the risk. The complaint alleges that Celebrity had both actual and constructive knowledge of the wet and slippery condition, given the presence of crew in the area and the recurring nature of spills in the café environment. It further claims that the cruise line failed to implement reasonable safety protocols to prevent such hazards, such as ensuring that staff regularly inspected and dried wet floors.
Dorlus’s attorneys argue that Celebrity violated industry safety standards and maritime regulations by allowing an ongoing, repetitive problem to persist in passenger dining areas. The complaint also asserts that the cruise line failed to adopt and enforce adequate maintenance procedures to ensure the Oceanview Café flooring was safe for passenger use.
Complaint Alleges Celebrity Cruises Knew or Should Have Known of Dangerous Flooring on Celebrity Apex
The lawsuit contends that Celebrity either created the dangerous condition, had actual knowledge of it, or should have known of it through reasonable inspection and maintenance. It claims that the wet and polished tile surface presented a foreseeable risk of harm to passengers and that Celebrity’s failure to address it constituted a breach of its duty of reasonable care under maritime law.
The complaint references established legal principles from prior cases, such as Hall v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. and Carlisle v. Ulysses Line Ltd., which affirm that cruise lines owe passengers a duty to exercise reasonable care and to warn of known dangers in areas where passengers are invited to walk.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries, Medical Costs, and Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Dorlus seeks damages exceeding $75,000 for bodily injury, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, disability, medical expenses, and lost earnings. The complaint alleges that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature, resulting in long-term physical impairment and financial hardship. The lawsuit also requests compensation for household expenses, medical treatment, and other costs related to her injuries.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Attorney if You Were Injured in a Shipboard Dining Area
Passengers injured in slip and fall accidents aboard cruise ships—especially in wet or slippery dining areas such as the Oceanview Café—may have the right to pursue compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Celebrity have a duty to ensure that public areas are properly maintained, inspected, and supervised to prevent foreseeable injuries. If you or someone you know was hurt in a similar onboard incident, contact our experienced team of maritime injury lawyers to learn more about your legal options.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a cruise ship injury 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.
