Maryland Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall on Wet Solarium Deck Aboard Explorer of the Seas
Melissa Kolnik, a resident of Maryland, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint alleges that Kolnik suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping on an unreasonably wet and slick deck near the Solarium bar while sailing aboard the Explorer of the Seas on August 4, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured Near Solarium Bar Aboard Explorer of the Seas Due to Slick Floor and Missing Warning Signs
According to court filings, the incident took place on Deck 11 as Kolnik was walking away from the Solarium bar to join her friends. Without warning, she encountered a wet, slippery substance on the deck surface, causing her to lose her footing and fall heavily. The lawsuit asserts that the hazard was not open or obvious, and Royal Caribbean had placed no caution signs, warning markers, or anti-slip mats to alert passengers to the slick conditions. As Kolnik lay on the deck waiting for medical help, she felt the slick nature of the flooring. A ship lifeguard approached her and her husband, allegedly admitting that when crew members mix cleaning chemicals incorrectly, the floor becomes extremely slick—indicating an ongoing problem known to the cruise line.
Lawsuit Alleges Royal Caribbean Had Notice of Dangerous Pool Deck Hazards and Improper Cleaning Protocols
The complaint details that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions. Assigned crew members, including two bartenders and lifeguards stationed in the immediate area, had a direct line of sight to the wet floor and the lack of warning signs. Royal Caribbean maintains company safety policies such as “Own the Spill,” “Clean As You Go,” and “See Something Say Something,” which obligate all staff to monitor and correct hazards immediately. To demonstrate prior notice of slick pool deck surfaces, the lawsuit cites several prior slip-and-fall cases against Royal Caribbean in federal court, including Dodge v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (involving a Solarium slip on Oasis of the Seas), Borrero v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (a pool deck fall on Explorer of the Seas), Lynch v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (Allure of the Seas), Cross v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (Quantum of the Seas), and Araujo v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (Wonder of the Seas).
Complaint Highlights Inadequate Flooring Slip Resistance, Improper Chemical Mixing, and Staff Supervision Failures
In addition to failing to warn passengers, the lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to maintain safe flooring standards and proper cleaning procedures. Under maritime safety guidelines, including SOLAS and internal Safety Management System (SMS) protocols, the cruise line is required to maintain adequate friction coefficients on passenger decks. Kolnik alleges that Royal Caribbean breached these safety obligations by failing to ensure proper mixing of deck-cleaning chemicals, failing to test floor slip resistance, and failing to block off or cordon off dangerous areas. The complaint also outlines claims for failure to train and supervise crew members on proper chemical application and hazard recognition, as well as vicarious liability for the negligence of employees on duty in the Solarium.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Fractured Leg, Surgical Intervention, Lost Wages, and Ruined Vacation Value
The lawsuit brings six counts against Royal Caribbean, including negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, failure to supervise, failure to train, and vicarious liability. As a direct result of the fall, Kolnik suffered a fractured tibial shaft in her right leg, requiring emergency medical disembarkation and surgical intervention. She claims ongoing physical pain, mental anguish, permanent disability, disfigurement, lost wages, and impaired earning capacity. Additionally, she seeks recovery for past and future medical costs, along with compensation for the lost value of her cruise vacation and transportation expenses.
Contact a Cruise Ship Deck Slip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured Aboard a Vessel
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to improperly cleaned decks, slick surfaces, or unaddressed liquid spills may be entitled to financial recovery under general maritime law. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean owe passengers a duty of reasonable care, which includes keeping decks safe and warning of hidden hazards. If you or a loved one experienced a slip and fall accident aboard a cruise ship, contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys to discuss your rights and legal options.
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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.
