New York Man Sues Royal Caribbean Cruises After Slipping on Soaking Wet Restroom Floor Aboard Odyssey of the Seas
Thomas Saunders, a resident of Ronkonkoma, New York, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-23101-JB, alleges that the 69-year-old passenger suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping on an unreasonably slippery restroom floor aboard the Odyssey of the Seas on May 4, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Odyssey of the Seas Restroom Slip and Fall Due to Early Morning Cleaning Operations
The incident occurred at approximately 6:00 a.m. while the vessel was in transit following its embarkation from Cape Liberty, New Jersey. According to the complaint, Saunders entered a public restroom on Deck 14 located between the Windjammer Café and the pool deck. Upon activating the automatic door and stepping inside, he immediately slipped on a floor that was allegedly saturated with water. The lawsuit claims the entire restroom floor was covered in water, leaving the plaintiff soaked after his fall. At the time of the accident, a maintenance crewmember was reportedly hosing down or pressure cleaning the adjacent pool deck just fifteen feet away. The plaintiff alleges that no wet floor signs, cones, or warnings of any kind were present to alert passengers to the hazardous condition inside the facility.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Constructive Notice Following String of Similar Restroom Slip and Fall Incidents
The lawsuit asserts that Royal Caribbean had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition. To support this claim, the plaintiff’s legal team points to a significant history of prior similar incidents across the Royal Caribbean fleet. The complaint references over a dozen past lawsuits involving passengers who slipped on wet restroom floors on various ships, including the Navigator of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas. These cases, dating from 2012 through early 2025, are cited to demonstrate that the cruise line was aware of the recurring nature of slippery restroom surfaces and the risks associated with its cleaning protocols but failed to implement adequate safety measures to protect passengers.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn of Dangerous Conditions on Deck 14
The plaintiff brings several counts of negligence against the cruise line, including negligent maintenance and failure to warn. The complaint argues that the volume of water on the floor suggests it had accumulated over a period of hours or was affirmatively created by the crew’s morning cleaning operations. Saunders alleges that a responding employee even admitted the floor was too wet and should not have been in that state. The lawsuit contends that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of care by failing to regularly inspect the area, failing to use absorbent mats or non-skid surfacing, and failing to restrict access to the restroom until the floor was dry and safe for passenger use.
Lawsuit Targets Improper Flooring Materials and Negligent Design of Royal Caribbean Public Restrooms
In addition to maintenance failures, the lawsuit includes a count for negligent design, construction, and selection of materials. Saunders alleges that Royal Caribbean, which exercises ultimate control over the custom design and specifications of its vessels, selected flooring materials for the Deck 14 restroom that become dangerously slick when exposed to moisture. The complaint suggests that the cruise line should have utilized materials with a higher coefficient of friction, such as slip-resistant ceramic tile or marine-grade rubberized flooring, and installed better drainage systems. By choosing materials prone to becoming slippery in a high-traffic area adjacent to a pool, the cruise line allegedly created a foreseeable and recurring hazard.
New York Passenger Seeks Damages for Pelvic Fracture and Permanent Impairment After Shipboard Fall
As a result of the fall, Saunders sustained a fracture of his pelvis and right hip. The injuries required emergency medical care on the ship, followed by hospitalization in Spain and subsequent surgery in New York. The plaintiff has undergone inpatient rehabilitation and continues to require physical therapy and home health care. The lawsuit seeks compensation for significant medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and non-economic damages such as physical impairment, mental anguish, and the loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. Saunders claims his injuries are permanent and have fundamentally altered his ability to enjoy travel and daily activities.
Contact a Cruise Ship Restroom Slip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured on a Vessel
Passengers who suffer injuries due to wet floors, improper cleaning procedures, or a lack of warning signs on a cruise ship may be entitled to seek compensation under general maritime law. Cruise lines are required to maintain all public areas, including restrooms and pool decks, in a reasonably safe condition for their guests. If you or a loved one experienced a serious fall while on a vacation, it is important to understand your legal rights regarding maintenance and design safety standards. Contact our team of experienced maritime attorneys to discuss your case and explore your options for recovery.
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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.
