New York Resident Sues Royal Caribbean After Trip and Fall in Central Park Aboard Symphony of the Seas
Louise Macrino, a resident of New York, 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-22171-RS, alleges that Macrino suffered severe and permanent injuries after tripping on a dangerous and uneven floor surface while traversing the Central Park area of the Symphony of the Seas on May 21, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Symphony of the Seas Due to Hazardous Flooring and Uneven Surface in Central Park
According to the legal filing, the incident occurred while Macrino was walking through the Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8 of the vessel, heading toward the Park Café. The lawsuit alleges that she suddenly tripped and fell due to a dangerous and uneven flooring condition that was not open or obvious to passengers. The complaint describes the hazard as involving a threshold or drain in the floor, multiple tile sizes that were not flush or even, and a lack of any markings or signage to indicate a change in elevation. Macrino asserts that there were no warning or caution signs present to alert her to the structural hazards of the walkway.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Maintain Safe Walkways and Ignoring Internal Safety Policies
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive knowledge of the hazardous flooring conditions. Macrino’s legal team argues that the cruise line specifically designed and approved the exterior flooring materials and established internal standards for coefficients of friction in high-traffic areas prone to spills. Furthermore, the complaint suggests that crew members were either actively monitoring the area or should have been doing so according to the company’s Safety Management System policies. Despite these protocols, the cruise line allegedly failed to take remedial measures or place warnings around the uneven tiles and drainage strips that caused the fall.
Plaintiff Cites Prior Trip and Fall Incidents on Other Royal Caribbean Ships as Evidence of Notice
To establish that the defendant was aware of the risks associated with these specific deck designs, the complaint references several prior lawsuits involving similar trip and fall accidents on Royal Caribbean vessels. These include cases such as Julia Mosteter v. RCCL involving a change in elevation on the Allure of the Seas, Bonnie Cook v. RCCL regarding an abrupt floor level change near the Park Café on the Oasis of the Seas, and Janice Duckett v. RCCL involving an unmarked threshold on the Harmony of the Seas. The plaintiff contends that these past incidents should have put the cruise line on notice regarding the dangers of the flooring layouts in the Central Park and Park Café areas of their Oasis-class ships.
Legal Claims for Negligent Failure to Warn and Maintain Safe Passenger Areas Aboard Royal Caribbean Vessels
The complaint brings three counts against Royal Caribbean: negligent failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, and general negligence. Macrino alleges that the cruise line breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to regularly inspect the flooring, failing to correct known hazards, and failing to provide adequate risk management procedures. The lawsuit seeks damages for physical pain, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and the loss of enjoyment of life. Additionally, the plaintiff is seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and the loss of the benefit of her vacation and transportation costs.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by Dangerous Flooring or Uneven Surfaces
Passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly maintained walkways, uneven flooring, or unmarked changes in elevation on a cruise ship may be entitled to financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators are required to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and must warn travelers of any hidden dangers that could cause a fall. If you or a loved one experienced a similar accident while on a cruise, it is important to understand your legal rights. 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.
