Florida Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall in PortMiami Luggage Hall While Disembarking Wonder of the Seas
Marilyn Baez, a resident of Florida, has filed a personal injury lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Cruise Terminals International, LLC, and Miami Cruise Terminal A, LLC. The action, filed under Case Number 1:26-cv-26299-KMM, arises from an incident on September 19, 2025, where Baez sustained serious and lasting bodily injuries after slipping and falling on an unaddressed liquid hazard in the Terminal A baggage collection area following her voyage aboard the cruise ship Wonder of the Seas.
Cruise Passenger Injured Disembarking Wonder of the Seas Due to Slippery Liquid Hazard in Terminal A Baggage Area
The complaint states that Baez was lawfully present as a fare-paying passenger and business invitee while retrieving her luggage in the Terminal A luggage hall at PortMiami. While walking through the designated area identified as Tag Five, she encountered a concealed pool of water or liquid on the walking surface. The dangerous condition was situated directly along the passenger route where debarking guests were required and directed to travel to locate their luggage. The filing asserts that the hazard was not open or obvious to passengers and that Baez had no advance warning or reasonable opportunity to discover or avoid the slippery floor.
Royal Caribbean and Terminal Operators Accused of Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn Debarking Passengers
The lawsuit asserts that the defendants owed passengers a duty of reasonable care under maritime and state law to maintain walkways in a reasonably safe condition and to inspect the disembarkation areas for slipping hazards. According to the plaintiff, the cruise line and its terminal operators either had actual knowledge or should have discovered the concealed liquid through routine inspection, cleaning, and maintenance procedures. Despite having responsibility for the area, the operators allegedly failed to clean or mop the spill, failed to place barricades or warning cones around the hazard, and gave no verbal or visual warnings to redirect foot traffic away from the wet floor.
Lawsuit Targets Joint Venture and Apparent Agency Between Cruise Line and Terminal Management Entities
Beyond claims of direct failure to maintain and failure to warn, the complaint focuses heavily on the operational relationship governing Terminal A at PortMiami. The pleading alleges that Royal Caribbean and Cruise Terminals International operated the terminal under a joint venture characterized by shared business interests, mutual economic benefits, and joint control over passenger safety and facility maintenance. The lawsuit additionally asserts claims under apparent agency and agency by estoppel against both Cruise Terminals International and its subsidiary, Miami Cruise Terminal A, LLC. Baez claims that Royal Caribbean held out the terminal facility as its own disembarkation corridor, failed to meaningfully disclose that separate third-party entities managed the facility, and led passengers to reasonably believe that terminal personnel were operating directly as agents of the cruise carrier.
Lawsuit Demands Compensation for Permanent Shoulder Injuries, Medical Bills, and Reduced Quality of Life
The ten-count complaint brings causes of action for general negligence, negligent failure to warn, failure to maintain, negligent operation, management, and control, joint venture liability, and apparent agency against the three named corporate defendants. Baez alleges that the fall caused severe, permanent, and continuing injuries to her left shoulder and left arm, leading to extensive physical pain, emotional distress, physical limitations, and diminished mobility. The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and the ongoing loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life.
Contact a Cruise Ship Terminal Slip and Fall Attorney if You Were Injured During Port Disembarkation
Passengers who sustain slip and fall injuries during the boarding or disembarkation process in cruise port terminals may have legal recourse under maritime and premises liability law. Cruise operators and port terminal management companies maintain an ongoing obligation to inspect passenger thoroughfares, remove hazardous liquids, and provide adequate warnings regarding dangerous conditions. If you or a family member suffered injuries in an accident at a cruise port terminal, contact our team of experienced maritime personal injury lawyers to evaluate your legal options.
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.
