Missouri resident Sara Strieder has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida, alleging that she suffered serious injuries after slipping on a set of allegedly defective hot tub steps aboard the Harmony of the Seas. The complaint, filed April 29, 2025, asserts claims for negligence, negligent design and construction, and failure to warn. The case is styled Sara Strieder v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Case No. 1:25-cv-21950-RAR.

Passenger Slipped on Poorly Designed Hot Tub Steps with Worn Safety Features

The incident occurred on December 28, 2024, while Strieder was using a hot tub onboard the Harmony of the Seas. According to the complaint, she slipped while descending the tub’s spiral staircase, which allegedly had inadequate anti-slip protection. Specifically, the steps were designed with non-slip material only on the leading edge, which was worn and allegedly failed to provide traction.

Strieder contends that Royal Caribbean had actual or constructive notice of the unsafe condition through routine crew maintenance and previous incidents. She alleges the cruise line failed to maintain the stairs safely, and failed to replace or repair visibly deteriorating anti-slip surfaces.

She suffered injuries that required surgery and resulted in scarring, pain, emotional distress, and a diminished ability to enjoy life.

Claims Include Design and Construction Negligence by Royal Caribbean’s In-House Team

In addition to standard negligence allegations, the lawsuit accuses Royal Caribbean of negligent design and construction, pointing to the cruise line’s internal role in shipbuilding through its new-build department. The complaint claims that Royal Caribbean worked with outside contractors and shipyards but maintained final approval authority over materials and safety features.

The suit alleges that RCCL failed to account for foreseeable wet conditions on the steps and failed to design or approve safer surfaces that extended beyond the front edge. It also faults Royal Caribbean for not retrofitting or modifying the steps after learning of the hazard post-installation.

Complaint Also Alleges Negligent Failure to Warn

Strieder’s final claim asserts that Royal Caribbean failed to warn passengers of the specific risk posed by the hot tub steps. Although some non-slip material was used, the complaint states that it was not obvious to passengers that only the front edge was protected—and that even this material was worn to the point of ineffectiveness.

She further alleges that the slippery condition was not open or obvious to passengers using reasonable care and that no warnings were posted.

Broader Legal Significance: Safety of Custom Ship Features Under Maritime Law

The Strieder case adds to the growing body of litigation involving passenger injuries on custom-designed cruise ship features, particularly in spa and recreational areas. Claims involving defective stairs, hot tub access, and slip hazards often turn on whether cruise lines used reasonable care in both maintaining and designing walkways used by the public.

This complaint is notable for including a design and construction negligence theory—an increasingly common tactic used when plaintiffs allege systemic flaws rather than isolated incidents. If successful, it may prompt cruise lines to reassess the materials and maintenance of stairs, decks, and access structures across their fleet.

Pennsylvania Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Slipping on Hot Tub Steps Aboard Liberty of the Seas

A Pennsylvania resident has filed a federal personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., alleging that she was seriously injured after slipping on the steps of a hot tub aboard the Liberty of the Seas. The complaint, filed May 1, 2025, in the Southern District of Florida, claims Royal Caribbean failed to safely design, maintain, and warn passengers about hazardous hot tub access points. The case is styled Tammy Danas v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Case No. 1:25-cv-22019-CMA.

Passenger Fell While Entering Deck 11 Hot Tub During August 2024 Cruise

According to the complaint, the incident occurred on August 15, 2024, while Tammy Danas was entering a hot tub on Deck 11 of the Liberty of the Seas. As she stepped into the jacuzzi, she allegedly slipped and fell down the steps, sustaining serious injuries.

Danas claims the stairway was unsafe due to a lack of adequate slip-resistant materials, improper or insufficient handrails, and worn or poorly marked step edges. She alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to follow industry standards and safety protocols applicable to public pool and spa areas.

Complaint Cites Prior Incidents on Same Vessel and Across Fleet

To support her claim that Royal Caribbean had prior notice of the hazard, the lawsuit identifies several similar incidents:

• June 19, 2024 – Liberty of the Seas, passenger Richard Yankelov slipped entering the same hot tub
• October 19, 2022 – Symphony of the Seas, slip and fall on hot tub steps
• November 13, 2021 – Independence of the Seas, passenger fell exiting hot tub stairs
• October 24, 2021 – Allure of the Seas, passenger injured exiting hot tub

The complaint also alleges that Royal Caribbean regularly settles similar injury cases under confidentiality agreements, shielding the frequency and nature of these incidents from public awareness and delaying needed corrective actions.

Three Counts Alleged: Negligence, Failure to Warn, and Failure to Maintain

Danas asserts three claims under maritime law:

• General negligence – for failing to provide a reasonably safe hot tub stairway and landing surface
• Negligent failure to warn – for not alerting passengers about known slip hazards, worn metal strips, or prior accidents
• Negligent failure to maintain – for allowing the steps and deck area to remain in a hazardous condition without proper inspection, repair, or oversight

The lawsuit contends that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known of the danger through prior incidents and inspections and that it failed to correct design defects, post adequate warnings, or implement safe materials and standards.

Legal Significance: Growing Litigation Over Hot Tub Step Hazards

This case highlights a recurring theme in cruise ship injury litigation—passengers injured while entering or exiting hot tubs or spas due to slippery steps, inadequate grip surfaces, or defective design. With similar cases pending involving the Symphony, Allure, Independence, and Liberty of the Seas, cruise lines are facing growing scrutiny over whether onboard spa and recreation areas meet safety standards for high-traffic environments.

The lawsuit also reflects an increasing trend of incorporating design compliance and ADA-style safety benchmarks into claims traditionally grounded in simple negligence. Plaintiffs are using evidence of prior lawsuits, combined with industry codes, to argue that cruise lines failed to mitigate long-standing dangers.

Injured while entering or exiting a cruise ship hot tub? Contact a Cruise Ship Lawyer Today.