Florida Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall on Wet Floor in Windjammer Café Aboard Wonder of the Seas
Gabriela Amao, a resident of Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25760-BB, alleges that Amao suffered serious and permanent injuries after slipping and falling on a wet and slippery floor inside the Windjammer Café aboard the Wonder of the Seas on December 15, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured After Slipping on Wet Floor in Windjammer Café on Wonder of the Seas
According to the complaint, Amao was a fare paying passenger lawfully aboard the Wonder of the Seas when the incident occurred. While walking through the Windjammer Café, the ship’s main buffet and a high traffic dining area, she allegedly slipped on a wet, foreign, or transitory substance that had accumulated on the floor. The lawsuit claims that the condition rendered the walking surface unreasonably slippery and dangerous for passengers moving through the area.
Amao contends that the hazardous condition was not open or obvious. The complaint alleges that the presence of the slippery substance could not be detected through ordinary observation and that reasonable passengers would not have anticipated the danger. As a result, Amao allegedly fell without warning and sustained significant injuries.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Maintain Safe Walking Surfaces in High Traffic Buffet Area
The lawsuit asserts that Royal Caribbean owed Amao a duty of reasonable care under maritime law, including a duty to maintain the Windjammer Café flooring in a reasonably safe condition. The Windjammer Café is described as a consistently busy area where passengers regularly walk while carrying food and beverages, increasing the foreseeable risk of spills and slippery conditions.
Amao alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to take reasonable steps to prevent wet substances from accumulating on the floor and failed to timely clean or dry the area before passengers encountered the hazard. The complaint further alleges that the cruise line did not conduct adequate inspections of the walking surfaces and failed to enforce proper maintenance and housekeeping procedures designed to reduce slip and fall risks in dining areas.
Complaint Cites Prior Windjammer Café Slip and Fall Lawsuits Across Royal Caribbean Fleet
A central allegation in the lawsuit is that Royal Caribbean had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition. The complaint references numerous prior slip and fall lawsuits involving wet floors in Windjammer Cafés on multiple Royal Caribbean vessels, including Oasis of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and other ships across the fleet.
The Wonder of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class, and the lawsuit alleges that Windjammer Cafés across these vessels share similar layouts, flooring materials, and configurations. Amao claims that the volume and frequency of prior incidents placed Royal Caribbean on notice that these buffet areas were prone to becoming wet and slippery, particularly during peak dining hours, yet the cruise line failed to implement adequate corrective measures.
Lawsuit Alleges Failure to Warn Passengers of Wet and Slippery Conditions in Buffet Area
In addition to negligent maintenance, Amao brings a claim for negligent failure to warn. The complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to provide any verbal warnings, signage, cones, or barriers alerting passengers to the wet condition of the floor. According to the lawsuit, the cruise line did not restrict access to the affected area or otherwise warn passengers of the increased risk of slipping.
Amao claims that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known of the hazard and had sufficient time and opportunity to warn passengers or secure the area until it was made safe. The absence of warnings allegedly contributed directly to her fall and resulting injuries.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Losses Following Cruise Ship Fall
The lawsuit alleges that as a result of the fall, Amao suffered injuries to her body and extremities, including a herniated disc that required surgical intervention. She claims ongoing pain, mental anguish, medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and a reduced ability to enjoy life. The complaint states that these injuries are permanent or continuing in nature and will require future medical care.
Amao seeks compensatory damages, costs, and other relief available under maritime law, and has demanded a jury trial on all issues triable by right.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer for Injuries Caused by Wet Floors and Unsafe Dining Areas
Cruise ship slip and fall accidents frequently occur in buffet and dining areas where spills, cleaning practices, and heavy foot traffic combine to create dangerous conditions. Passengers injured aboard Royal Caribbean ships or other cruise vessels due to wet floors, poor maintenance, or failure to warn may have rights under maritime law. If you or a loved one were injured in a cruise ship slip and fall accident involving a buffet, café, or other high traffic area, speaking with an experienced cruise ship injury attorney can help you understand your legal options.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury lawyer.
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.
