Florida Man Sues Celebrity Cruises After Slip and Fall Accident on Celebrity Eclipse

Eugene Kowenski, a resident of Safety Harbor in Pinellas County, Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed on October 26, 2026 under Case No. 1:26-cv-27549-KMW, alleges that Kowenski suffered serious and permanent injuries after slipping and falling on a liquid or foreign substance while walking aboard the Eclipse on April 12, 2026. Because Celebrity Cruises conducts business in Miami-Dade County and maintains its principal place of business in Miami, Florida, the federal court in Miami holds admiralty and maritime jurisdiction over this dispute.

Cruise Passenger Injured Walking on Celebrity Eclipse Due to Wet Floor and Foreign Substance Hazards

According to the allegations set forth in the federal court filing, the incident took place while Kowenski was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Eclipse, a cruise vessel owned, operated, managed, and controlled by Celebrity Cruises. While walking through a passenger-accessible area of the ship, Kowenski encountered a hazardous surface condition caused by an unaddressed liquid or foreign substance on the floor. Without warning or opportunity to avoid the hazard, he slipped and fell onto the deck, sustaining significant physical trauma. The complaint emphasizes that cruise passengers rely on the vessel operator to maintain walkways, corridors, and boarding access points in a reasonably safe condition throughout the voyage.

Celebrity Cruises Accused of Failing to Maintain Safe Walkways and Warn Passengers of Pier Ingress and Egress Hazards

The lawsuit asserts that under general maritime law, Celebrity Cruises owed Kowenski a fundamental duty of care to provide a reasonably safe vessel, protect passengers from foreseeable dangers, and actively guard against hazardous floor conditions. In particular, the complaint notes that the cruise line had a specific legal obligation to warn Kowenski and fellow passengers of dangerous conditions present in the areas used for ingress and egress between the vessel and the pier. High-traffic transition zones and passenger walkways aboard cruise ships frequently face moisture accumulation from weather, tracked-in water, or shipboard operations, making vigilant housekeeping and prompt crew intervention essential to passenger safety.

Kowenski alleges that Celebrity Cruises breached its maritime duty of care in several distinct ways. According to the filing, the cruise line failed to maintain the subject walkway in a reasonably safe condition and neglected to conduct adequate, routine safety inspections that would have identified the hazard before a passenger was hurt. Furthermore, the complaint accuses Celebrity Cruises of failing to timely clean or remove the liquid substance from the walking surface, failing to place caution signs or verbally warn Kowenski of the slippery floor, and actively creating or permitting the dangerous condition to persist in an area frequented by guests.

Complaint Alleges Constructive and Actual Notice of Slippery Deck Conditions Aboard Celebrity Eclipse

To establish liability in a maritime slip and fall claim, a plaintiff typically demonstrates that the cruise operator had actual or constructive knowledge of the risk-creating condition. In his complaint, Kowenski alleges that Celebrity Cruises knew or should have known that the liquid hazard existed on the floor prior to his fall. The legal filing points to four core factors supporting the allegation of notice. First, the plaintiff contends that the liquid or foreign substance remained on the floor for a sufficient length of time that crew members exercising reasonable care should have discovered and remedied it. Second, the lawsuit questions the adequacy and frequency of the safety inspections conducted by shipboard personnel in passenger-accessible areas. Third, the complaint points to prior similar slip and fall incidents as evidence that the cruise line was aware of the ongoing risk to passengers. Finally, the filing highlights the general foreseeability of liquid accumulating in that specific area of the vessel, suggesting that preventative measures and active monitoring should have been in place.

Plaintiff Seeks Damages Exceeding Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars for Permanent Injuries and Medical Expenses

Kowenski brings a count of maritime negligence against Celebrity Cruises and demands a trial by jury on all triable issues. As a direct and proximate result of the cruise line’s alleged negligence, Kowenski claims he suffered severe bodily injury accompanied by ongoing pain and suffering, physical disability, disfigurement, and mental anguish. The lawsuit also alleges that the fall caused the aggravation of a previously existing condition and diminished his overall capacity for the enjoyment of life. In addition to non-economic damages, the plaintiff seeks recovery for the expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care, lost earnings, and a diminished ability to earn money in the future. Because these injuries and losses are described as permanent or continuing in nature, Kowenski seeks judgment against Celebrity Cruises in an amount exceeding $75,000.00, alongside pre-judgment and post-judgment interest and court costs.

Contact a Florida Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Wet Deck

Passengers who suffer serious injuries due to wet floors, uncleaned foreign substances, or unsafe ingress and egress walkways aboard a cruise ship have legal rights under federal maritime law. Cruise operators like Celebrity Cruises are required to inspect passenger corridors regularly, clean up liquid spills promptly, and provide clear warnings whenever deck surfaces become slippery.

If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident aboard the Celebrity Eclipse or another cruise vessel, our experienced maritime personal injury attorneys can help you evaluate your claim and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation through our online contact page

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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.