Royal Caribbean Sued for Nightclub Slip-and-Fall on Mariner of the Seas
Case Name: Asia Allen v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Case Number: 1:25-cv-21789-RKA
Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
Filing Date: April 18, 2025
Plaintiff: Asia Allen, North Carolina resident
Defendant: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), Liberian corporation headquartered in Florida
Vessel: Mariner of the Seas
Incident Date: March 15, 2024
Location of Incident: Ellington Night Club, Deck 14
Dangerous Dance Floor Conditions and Prior Incidents on Sister Ships
Allen alleges that she was dancing in the Ellington Night Club when she slipped on a wet, foreign, and transitory substance on the dance floor, which was allegedly inconspicuous due to dim lighting. The fall resulted in a torn right ACL, requiring surgery and leading to permanent disability, lost wages, and long-term medical treatment.
The complaint identifies multiple counts of negligence, including:
- Negligent Maintenance
- Negligent Failure to Warn
- Negligent Failure to Correct (Vicarious Liability)
- Negligent Failure to Warn (Vicarious Liability)
Legal Analysis & Implications
Duty of Reasonable Care Under Maritime Law
Allen was a fare-paying passenger entitled to reasonable care under the circumstances. Her legal team alleges that RCCL:
- Failed to inspect and maintain the nightclub floor
- Provided no warning about the hazardous conditions
- Had knowledge of similar incidents on other ships
The suit also invokes prior case law and incident history, suggesting RCCL had constructive and actual knowledge of similar hazards due to earlier falls on wet dance floors in other venues.
Vicarious Liability and Crew Oversight
The complaint extends beyond general premises liability, citing vicarious liability for the conduct of RCCL crew who:
- Failed to monitor or inspect the dance floor
- Did not post warnings or restrict access
- Did not staff the event area appropriately
Comparative Litigation Trends
Allen’s attorneys cite two similar slip-and-fall lawsuits involving RCCL vessels:
- Birth v. RCCL (2023): Fall on a wet dance floor on Liberty of the Seas
- Cohen v. RCCL (2023): Slip in Boleros Nightclub on Anthem of the Seas
Both cases also involved dim lighting and foreign substances on dance floors, pointing to an emerging litigation theme: insufficient lighting and spill detection in high-energy onboard venues.
Cruise lines have been increasingly held accountable when high-traffic entertainment venues—often poorly lit—become hazardous due to beverage spills and lack of warning signage or proactive cleanup.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has been injured aboard a cruise ship due to unsafe flooring, inadequate lighting, or crew negligence, you may have a right to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines are required to ensure public venues are safe and properly maintained.
Contact a maritime personal injury attorney today. Cruise contracts and federal law impose strict time limits—don’t delay asserting your rights.
