Hawaii Woman Sues Royal Caribbean Cruises After Slip and Fall on Wet Running Track Aboard Wonder of the Seas
Carolyn Voulgaridis, a resident and citizen of Hawaii, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-23411-RKA, alleges that Voulgaridis suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping on a wet and slippery transitory substance while using the ship’s outdoor running track on June 11, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured Running on Wonder of the Seas Due to Slippery Track and Nearby Steel Structure
According to the complaint, the incident occurred during the morning hours while Voulgaridis was running on the designated open-deck running track located on Deck 5 of the Wonder of the Seas. While exercising, she unexpectedly encountered a wet and slippery transitory substance on the track surface. The dangerous condition caused her to slip and fall head-first into a heavy steel structure that Royal Caribbean had positioned just inches away from the running track. Voulgaridis asserts that the hazard was not open or obvious, and she could not have discovered the slippery substance through the ordinary use of her senses while running. Because the cruise line failed to provide any verbal warnings or visible signage regarding the track conditions, she had no opportunity to prevent the incident.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Inspect, Maintain, and Secure Unsafe Track Conditions Aboard Its Fleet
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean failed in its legal duty to exercise reasonable care for passenger safety and maintain its physical facilities in a reasonably safe condition. Plaintiff’s legal team claims that the cruise line was fully aware that wet surfaces present a severe fall hazard to passengers and had established internal policies and procedures to regularly sweep, mop, clean, and monitor these areas. Despite these established internal protocols, shipboard staff allegedly failed to properly clean and dry the running track, failed to conduct adequate inspections for risk-creating conditions, and failed to cordon off access to the dangerous section of Deck 5 before the accident occurred.
Complaint Details Notice of Fleetwide Running Track Hazards and Prior Royal Caribbean Slip and Fall Lawsuits
To establish that the cruise line had actual and constructive knowledge of the hazard, the complaint highlights that Royal Caribbean uses similar running track materials across its entire fleet of vessels, most of which are located on open decks and constantly exposed to the outdoor elements. The plaintiff points to multiple prior slip and fall lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida involving similar tracking surfaces to prove the cruise line had advance notice of the danger. The complaint specifically cites the case of Archuleta v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., involving a passenger who slipped on a wet substance on the Navigator of the Seas in August 2023. It also references Wilder v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., involving a slip on the Allure of the Seas in October 2021. Most notably, the complaint cites Dimino v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., which involved an identical slip and fall on a wet substance on the running track of the very same ship, the Wonder of the Seas, in July 2023.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Severe Fractures, Surgical Repairs, and Permanent Impairment Caused by Negligence
Voulgaridis brings two counts of direct liability negligence against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., consisting of negligent inspection and maintenance alongside a negligent failure to warn. The complaint alleges that the cruise line’s operational breaches directly and proximately caused Voulgaridis to sustain severe physical injuries, including a displaced fracture in her left olecranon process, a tearing of the triceps mechanism, and a severe laceration to her forehead. Both the elbow fracture and the triceps tear required formal surgical repair. As a result of the collision with the steel structure, the plaintiff has suffered significant physical pain, mental anguish, permanent physical impairment, disability, and a diminished capacity to enjoy life. Voulgaridis is seeking compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, and lost earning capacity.
Contact a Cruise Ship Running Track Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident
Cruise passengers who suffer severe injuries due to poorly maintained deck surfaces, slippery running tracks, or hidden structural hazards may be entitled to significant financial compensation under maritime law. Maritime operators have a strict obligation to routinely inspect passenger areas, dry off accumulation from the elements, and warn guests of localized slip hazards. If you or a loved one experienced a severe injury while exercising or walking on a cruise vessel due to a failure to maintain safe deck conditions, contact our team of experienced maritime personal injury lawyers today to evaluate your case and review your legal rights.
To speak with an experienced cruise ship slip and fall attorney, please contact us now.
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.
