An Israeli family has filed a federal personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on behalf of their 10-year-old daughter, who allegedly suffered serious facial injuries while using the “SuperCell” waterslide aboard the Wonder of the Seas. The complaint, filed May 1, 2025, in the Southern District of Florida, claims Royal Caribbean failed to operate, warn about, and maintain its high-speed slides safely despite a pattern of prior passenger injuries. The case is styled Gilad and Maya Landau, as Parents and Natural Guardians of Lia Landau v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Case No. 1:25-cv-22020-JEM.

Child Flipped and Struck Face During Descent Through Waterslide Bowl

According to the complaint, the incident occurred on April 4, 2024, while Lia Landau was descending the “SuperCell” slide—one of three slides comprising the “Perfect Storm” waterslide complex advertised for its “hair-raising twists” and “adrenaline-amping fun.” As she followed crew instructions to begin the slide, Lia was flipped by the ride’s force in the bowl-shaped chamber and struck her face on its edge.

She reportedly lost a permanent front tooth and fractured the tooth socket, requiring multiple dental surgeries and additional future procedures.

Lawsuit Cites Multiple Prior Injuries on Royal Caribbean Waterslides

To establish notice, the complaint identifies at least eight prior incidents involving serious injuries on Royal Caribbean waterslides aboard various vessels:

• February 27, 2024 – Icon of the Seas, head and torso injury
• February 12 & 5, 2024 – Icon of the Seas, shoulder and upper body trauma
• August 31, 2023 – Wonder of the Seas, elbow injury
• May 13, 2023 – Liberty of the Seas, unspecified injury
• June 9, 2022 – Symphony of the Seas, head injury
• November 12, 2019 – Harmony of the Seas, head injury
• October 3, 2019 – Navigator of the Seas, waterslide accident

The family alleges that Royal Caribbean has responded to many such incidents with confidential settlements designed to conceal the true number of injuries from future passengers and delay necessary design or procedural reforms.

Four Counts Alleged: Vicarious Liability, Negligence, Failure to Warn, and Failure to Maintain

The lawsuit raises four legal claims under maritime law:

• Vicarious liability for crew negligence – alleging failure to provide safety instructions and monitoring
• General negligence – including improper training, supervision, inspection, and unsafe slide operation
• Negligent failure to warn – citing lack of signage and failure to alert passengers about known risks
• Negligent failure to maintain – for failing to inspect, upkeep, or redesign the slide despite prior similar injuries

The plaintiffs argue that the SuperCell slide is inherently hazardous and that Royal Caribbean failed to design or operate it safely, particularly for children.

Industry Implications: Recurring Injuries and Waterslide Oversight

This case further intensifies scrutiny of thrill attractions aboard modern cruise ships. As lines install more complex slides and waterparks to appeal to families, litigation has begun to test the boundaries of passenger safety, engineering standards, and cruise line responsibility.

With multiple slide-related injury lawsuits now pending against Royal Caribbean, the Landau case could influence how operators document prior incidents, train staff, and implement structural changes to waterslide features deemed too aggressive or improperly monitored.

Minor Passenger Injured on Waterslide Aboard Icon of the Seas: Mother Files Federal Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean

A North Carolina mother has filed a federal maritime lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on behalf of her minor child, alleging that the child sustained severe injuries while riding a waterslide aboard the Icon of the Seas. The complaint, filed April 30, 2025, in the Southern District of Florida, claims Royal Caribbean negligently operated and maintained the “Frightening Bolt” waterslide and failed to address a pattern of similar passenger injuries. The case is styled Ania Alvarado, as Parent and Natural Guardian of L.V., a Minor v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Case No. 1:25-cv-21984-JEM.

Minor Passenger Struck Head Twice on Waterslide During June 2024 Cruise

According to the complaint, the incident occurred on June 5, 2024, while the minor, L.V., was participating in a waterslide activity aboard the Icon of the Seas. As the child began descending the “Frightening Bolt” slide, a hinged flap door allegedly struck him in the head. Moments later, he reportedly struck his head again on the interior of the slide during the descent.

As a result, L.V. sustained multiple traumatic injuries. The lawsuit asserts that Royal Caribbean failed to provide safe usage instructions, adequate supervision, or warning of the risks involved with the waterslide, particularly regarding the mechanical operation of the flap door.

Prior Passenger Injuries Cited to Establish Notice and Negligence

The complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive notice of the hazard, citing multiple prior incidents involving passengers injured while using waterslides aboard the Icon of the Seas and other vessels:

• February 27, 2024 – Injury aboard Icon of the Seas
• February 12, 2024 – Injury aboard Icon of the Seas
• February 5, 2024 – Injury aboard Icon of the Seas
• May 13, 2023 – Injury aboard Liberty of the Seas
• October 3, 2019 – Injury aboard Navigator of the Seas

Plaintiff also alleges that Royal Caribbean systematically uses confidentiality clauses to conceal other similar incidents and avoid public scrutiny, impeding passengers’ ability to understand the risks.

Complaint Includes Claims for Negligence, Failure to Warn, and Failure to Maintain

Three counts are brought against Royal Caribbean:

• General negligence in operation, training, supervision, and response to prior waterslide injuries
• Negligent failure to warn passengers of the risks associated with the “Frightening Bolt” slide and prior incidents
• Negligent failure to maintain the waterslide in a safe condition through inspection, upkeep, and oversight

The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean breached its duty to provide reasonable care under maritime law by failing to implement policies that could have prevented the minor’s injuries, including clear instructions, warning signage, hazard identification, and mechanical safeguards for the flap door mechanism.

Broader Implications for Cruise Industry Waterpark Safety

As cruise ships continue to add expansive waterparks and thrill-based attractions, this case underscores the tension between onboard entertainment and passenger safety. Cruise lines must adhere not only to general maritime safety duties but also to specific operational guidelines for interactive attractions.

The lawsuit could prompt renewed scrutiny of waterslide designs, staff training, and passenger safety briefings, particularly when mechanical features like moving doors or confined tube interiors are involved. If successful, this case may drive revisions to onboard activity protocols and increase transparency regarding prior incidents.

Injured on a cruise ship waterslide or recreational attraction? Contact a Cruise Ship Lawyer Today.