Nevada Resident Sues Royal Caribbean After Slipping on Wet Stairs Outside Royal Theatre Aboard Navigator of the Seas
Sue Gene Stevens, a resident of Nevada, 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 complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21913-BB, alleges that Stevens sustained serious and permanent injuries after falling on a staircase while sailing as a passenger aboard the Navigator of the Seas. The incident occurred on or about April 8, 2025, while the vessel was in navigable waters.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Navigator of the Seas After Falling on Slippery and Sticky Staircase Surface
The lawsuit describes an incident where Stevens was walking down a staircase located outside of the Royal Theatre heading toward Deck 3. As she approached the bottom of the stairs, she allegedly encountered a foreign, wet, or transitory substance that rendered the surface or steps unreasonably slippery and sticky. This hazardous condition caused her to fall onto Deck 3, resulting in severe physical injuries. According to the complaint, the danger was not open or obvious to a reasonable person, and Royal Caribbean failed to provide any warning signs or floor mats to alert passengers to the risk. Stevens maintains she had no way of knowing the stairs were unsafe until the moment of her fall.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Ignoring Known Hazards and Failing to Follow Internal Safety Policies
The legal filing asserts that Royal Caribbean was well aware of the risks associated with wet and slippery flooring in high-traffic areas. The plaintiff alleges the cruise line has established internal Safety Management System policies and procedures specifically designed to minimize these risks through regular cleaning and monitoring. In this instance, Stevens claims the defendant’s crew members were either actively monitoring the area or standing in close proximity to the stairs but failed to take remedial action. The complaint further notes that the substance on the floor appeared dirty, suggesting it had been present for a sufficient amount of time for the crew to have discovered and removed it during their routine rounds.
Lawsuit Cites Numerous Prior Slip and Fall Incidents on Royal Caribbean Vessels as Evidence of Notice
To establish that the cruise line had constructive notice of the dangerous condition, the plaintiff’s legal team points to a long history of similar accidents across the Royal Caribbean fleet. The complaint references several previous lawsuits involving slip and fall incidents on marble or tile surfaces, including cases such as Seminario v. RCCL on the Navigator of the Seas, Ricca v. RCCL on the Wonder of the Seas, and Stover v. RCCL on the Allure of the Seas. Specifically, the lawsuit highlights a 2023 case, Cain v. RCCL, where a passenger allegedly fell on the exact same staircase outside the Royal Theatre due to a sticky foreign substance. These prior incidents are cited to argue that the cruise line was aware of the recurring hazards posed by its choice of flooring materials and maintenance protocols but failed to implement effective changes.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Medical Expenses Due to Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn
The complaint brings three specific counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean: negligent failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, and general negligence. Stevens alleges that the cruise line breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to adequately inspect the flooring, failing to maintain a sufficient coefficient of friction on the stairs, and failing to utilize anti-slip materials. As a direct result of the fall, Stevens claims to have suffered physical pain, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and the loss of wages. The lawsuit states her injuries are permanent or continuing in nature and will require ongoing medical care. Furthermore, she seeks compensation for the lost value of her vacation and cruise costs, asserting that Royal Caribbean’s negligence irreparably harmed her well-being and travel experience.
Contact a Cruise Ship Stairway Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Vessel Due to Unsafe Conditions
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to slippery staircases, wet flooring, or a lack of proper warning signs may be eligible to seek compensation under federal maritime law. Major cruise lines have a legal responsibility to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and to warn travelers of hidden hazards that the crew knows or should know about. If you or a loved one experienced a slip and fall accident while on a cruise, reaching out to an experienced maritime attorney can help you understand the complexities of filing a claim in federal court.
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.
