Texas Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall Outside Windjammer Café on Harmony of the Seas
Martha Ramirez, a resident of Texas, has filed a federal maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-25273-KMW, alleges that Ramirez suffered severe, permanent injuries after slipping on a wet and unreasonably slippery walking surface while exiting the Windjammer Café aboard the Harmony of the Seas on June 16, 2025.
Texas Cruise Passenger Injured Outside Windjammer Dining Venue on Harmony of the Seas Due to Wet Surface and Lack of Warnings
According to court filings, the incident took place as Ramirez was exiting the Windjammer Café, one of the ship’s primary buffet dining venues. The complaint asserts that a hazardous condition existed immediately outside the café entrance due to water or another foreign liquid substance contaminating the walking surface. The slick condition was allegedly not open or obvious to passengers because the liquid lacked visibility on the floor. Ramirez slipped on the wet surface, fell heavily, and sustained severe injuries to her left knee that ultimately required surgical intervention, alongside additional bodily harm. The lawsuit notes that Royal Caribbean was actively operating the high-traffic dining area without taking appropriate steps to clean up the spill, restrict access, or warn nearby passengers.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Ignoring Prior Slip and Fall Incidents Across Fleet Buffets and Dining Walkways
The legal filing contends that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive notice of the hazardous condition. Ramirez’s legal team references dozens of prior slip and fall lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida involving passengers slipping on wet surfaces in and around the Windjammer Café across Royal Caribbean’s fleet. The complaint highlights previous cases aboard the Harmony of the Seas itself, including Bienvenu v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Bennett v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., as well as numerous similar incidents on sister Oasis-class vessels like the Oasis of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. Additional cases cited involve the Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Grandeur of the Seas. Plaintiff argues these recurring accidents demonstrate a widespread history of transitory liquid hazards near dining venues that the cruise line failed to address systematically.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance, Selection of Highly Slippery Flooring, and Failure to Clean Foreign Liquid Substances
Beyond the history of fleet-wide incidents, the lawsuit claims Royal Caribbean failed to properly execute its own internal maintenance and safety procedures. Ramirez alleges that the cruise line directly participated in selecting and approving interior and exterior public flooring materials, such as polished granite, marble, or tile, which become excessively slippery when wet. Royal Caribbean allegedly established coefficient of friction standards for high-traffic zones but failed to maintain those standards near the Windjammer Café. The complaint argues that despite knowing passengers frequently track pool water or spill beverages near buffet exits, the crew failed to conduct timely inspections, mop up foreign substances, place absorbent mats, or utilize adequate caution cones to protect walking passengers.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Knee Surgery, Medical Expenses, and Lost Quality of Life
The lawsuit contains counts for negligent maintenance and negligent failure to warn. Ramirez asserts that Royal Caribbean breached its legal duty to exercise reasonable care under maritime law by failing to keep public walkways safe and failing to alert passengers to hidden slip hazards. As a direct result of the fall, Ramirez claims she suffered permanent physical impairment, severe pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical disability, and loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. She is seeking recovery for past and future medical expenses, including costs related to her knee surgery, alongside court costs and prejudgment interest.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Injury Attorney Today if You Were Injured Aboard a Vessel
Passengers who sustain injuries due to wet floors, spilled liquids, or unaddressed hazards on cruise ships may be entitled to financial recovery under maritime law. Cruise operators have a legal responsibility to maintain public dining walkways, inspect common areas, and adequately warn guests of non-obvious dangers. If you or a family member suffered a fall aboard a cruise vessel, contact our experienced maritime personal injury lawyers to evaluate your case and review your legal options.
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.
