Maryland Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Waking Up to Flooded Cabin and Slipping on Deck of Grandeur of the Seas
Callena Stansbury, a resident of Maryland, 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-22638-CMA, alleges that Stansbury suffered severe and permanent physical injuries after slipping in her cabin bathroom due to an undisclosed flood while the M/V Grandeur of the Seas was in navigation.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Cabin Slip and Fall Following Unannounced Bathroom Flooding Incident
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on April 18, 2025, while Stansbury was a fare-paying passenger staying in a cabin on Deck 8. At approximately 5:00 am, Stansbury woke from her sleep to use the restroom. Upon stepping into the bathroom area, she immediately slipped and fell due to significant water intrusion that had flooded her living quarters while she slept. The lawsuit asserts that the flooding created a dangerously hazardous condition that was neither open nor obvious to a passenger waking up in the early morning hours. Stansbury alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to provide any warning or corrective action despite having ample time to address the structural or maintenance failure that led to the water leak.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Having Actual Knowledge of Cabin Flood Without Notifying Sleeping Passenger
The legal filing highlights a critical allegation regarding the cruise line’s awareness of the hazard. Stansbury claims that Royal Caribbean crew members later admitted they had actual knowledge of the water intrusion into her specific cabin prior to her fall. Despite this internal knowledge, the cruise line allegedly made no attempt to notify the plaintiff or verify her safety while the water continued to accumulate on the floor. The complaint argues that the hazardous condition was the direct result of negligent maintenance and inspection protocols. Stansbury maintains that the failure of the crew to intervene or provide even a simple verbal warning constituted a gross breach of the duty of care owed to passengers.
Lawsuit Alleges Negligent Selection and Supervision of Maintenance Staff Aboard Grandeur of the Seas
In addition to the circumstances of the fall, the complaint brings serious allegations against Royal Caribbean’s corporate management and hiring practices. Stansbury argues that the cruise line failed in its non-delegable duty to properly select, train, and supervise the housekeeping and maintenance personnel responsible for vessel plumbing and passenger safety. The lawsuit suggests that the centralized department in Miami responsible for shipboard policies failed to implement adequate procedures to ensure that concealed dangers like cabin flooding are remediated before injuries occur. The plaintiff alleges that the persistent nature of the flooding suggests a systemic failure in the routine inspection obligations and maintenance reports required to keep the vessel in a seaworthy and safe condition.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Severe Nerve and Bone Injuries Caused by Royal Caribbean Negligence
Stansbury is pursuing damages across two primary counts: negligent failure to warn and negligent selection, retention, and supervision. The fall allegedly resulted in serious and continuing injuries to her neck, tailbone, back, legs, and elbow. Beyond the physical trauma, the lawsuit details that Stansbury has suffered significant emotional distress, mental anguish, and a loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. She is seeking compensation for past and future medical expenses, hospitalization costs, and the loss of ability to earn money. The complaint emphasizes that these losses are permanent in nature and were entirely foreseeable had the cruise line exercised reasonable care in managing the known flooding issue.
Contact a Cruise Ship Cabin Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt Due to Flooding or Maintenance Negligence
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to flooded cabins, plumbing failures, or a lack of warning regarding hazardous deck conditions may be entitled to significant compensation under general maritime law. Companies like Royal Caribbean are required to maintain passenger quarters in a safe condition and must proactively warn guests of any hidden dangers known to the crew. If you or a loved one experienced a slip and fall accident on a cruise ship caused by maintenance neglect or poor supervision of staff, our team of experienced maritime attorneys is ready to assist you.
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.
