Montreal Canada Resident Sues MSC Cruises After Virtual Reality Waterslide Headset Fractures Face Aboard Vessel
Audrey Anne Amnotte, a resident and citizen of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises, S.A. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-24169-RAR, alleges that Amnotte suffered serious, permanent, and continuing injuries while utilizing a shipboard recreational attraction. The incident, which involved a specialized virtual reality waterslide, occurred on May 19, 2025, while the plaintiff was a fare-paying passenger aboard an MSC Cruises vessel.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Virtual Reality Slide Attraction Due to Lack of Clearance and Equipment Collision
According to the factual allegations in the complaint, Amnotte was lawfully participating in the vessel’s virtual reality slide attraction when the accident occurred. To experience the ride, passengers are provided with a virtual reality headset designed to be worn throughout the duration of the slide. While Amnotte was descending the slide, the headset she was wearing struck the sidewall of the slide structure. The force of this high-speed collision drove the headset violently into her face. The lawsuit asserts that the cruise line provided inadequate clearance between the headset equipment and the rigid slide walls, creating an extreme hazard for unsuspecting riders.
MSC Cruises Accused of Negligent Design and Failure to Secure Virtual Reality Headset Equipment
The legal complaint outlines multiple theories of negligence focused on the design and operation of the cruise ship attraction. Amnotte’s legal team argues that the cruise line breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to safely design the virtual reality waterslide and failing to select or secure appropriate headset equipment. A central component of the claim involves the cruise line’s failure to account for foreseeable passenger behavior. The complaint states that individuals using virtual reality systems naturally move their heads in response to the immersive visual stimuli. The lawsuit alleges that MSC Cruises failed to appreciate these instinctive head movements and created an attraction that actively encouraged riders to turn their heads while exposing them to a severe risk of impact-related injuries.
Cruise Line Failed to Implement Safety Measures and Warn Passengers of Onboard Slide Risks
In addition to engineering and design flaws, the lawsuit alleges that the cruise operator failed to provide necessary safety warnings or implement reasonable protective measures. Amnotte claims that MSC Cruises did not warn passengers about the specific risk of facial injuries resulting from contact between the equipment and the slide walls. Despite having an ongoing obligation to maintain safe premises for passengers, the cruise line allegedly continued to operate the attraction without modification, failing to discontinue the ride or alter its parameters to eliminate the clearance hazard. The lawsuit contends that the cruise line maintained an unreasonable risk of harm that was not open or obvious to passengers embarking on the ride.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Facial Injuries and Medical Expenses Following Cruise Ship Accident
As a direct and proximate result of the headset impact, Amnotte sustained significant bodily injuries. The complaint notes that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature, resulting in physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, inconvenience, disability, and a permanent disfigurement. Furthermore, the incident has caused a loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life and forced the plaintiff to incur substantial medical expenses for treatment. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, interest, and court costs from MSC Cruises, demanding a trial by jury to address the cruise line’s alleged operational failures.
Contact a Cruise Ship Waterslide Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured in an Onboard Attraction Accident
Passengers who suffer injuries while participating in cruise ship recreational activities, such as waterslides, surf simulators, or virtual reality attractions, may be entitled to financial recovery under general maritime law. Cruise operators have a legal responsibility to design, test, and monitor all onboard features to protect guests from foreseeable dangers. If you or a loved one experienced a severe injury due to poorly designed or unsupervised cruise ship activities, exploring your legal options is essential.
Contact us now to speak with an experienced maritime injury attorney about your case.
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.
