Virginia Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean After Slipping on Wet Pool Deck Aboard Symphony of the Seas
Virginia resident Subrena Beckles has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, alleging that she slipped and fell on a wet and unmarked deck aboard the Symphony of the Seas. The incident occurred on May 1, 2024, while Beckles was walking on Deck 15 near the bar and pool area. The complaint, filed April 28, 2025, is styled Subrena Beckles v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Case No. 1:25-cv-21918-RS.
Lawsuit Alleges Dangerous Pool Deck Conditions and Lack of Warning
According to the complaint, Beckles was walking toward the dining area on Deck 15 when she encountered a large accumulation of water that had not been marked by any signage or warnings. She slipped, hit her leg and knee on a nearby stool, and fell to the ground. Despite the presence of caution signs in other areas of the deck, none were present at the specific site of the fall.
Beckles alleges that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known that the open deck areas become dangerously slippery when wet and that the deck surface was visually deceptive, making water nearly impossible to detect. The suit also claims that Royal Caribbean had policies requiring signage in such conditions, which were not followed.
She suffered injuries to her back, hips, and knees, and continues to receive treatment for ongoing pain and mobility issues.
Complaint Cites Long List of Prior Slip and Fall Incidents Aboard RCCL Vessels
To support her claim that Royal Caribbean had actual or constructive notice of the hazard, the complaint lists over a dozen prior lawsuits involving similar incidents across Royal Caribbean’s fleet. These include slip and fall cases aboard the Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and other vessels between 2017 and 2023.
The complaint also highlights that Royal Caribbean installed multiple floor drains in the same area, a move allegedly made in response to recurrent water accumulation. Despite this, the area where Beckles fell remained unmonitored and unmarked on the day of her incident.
Multiple Theories of Liability Raised Under General Maritime Law
The lawsuit brings five counts against Royal Caribbean:
- Negligent failure to maintain safe flooring (direct liability)
- Negligent failure to maintain (vicarious liability via respondeat superior)
- Negligent failure to warn (direct liability)
- Negligent failure to warn (vicarious liability)
- Negligent training of personnel
Each count alleges a breach of the cruise line’s duty to provide safe walkways and adequate warnings under general maritime law. The complaint also references industry standards and international safety conventions, including the SOLAS treaty and IMO regulations, requiring cruise lines to maintain escape routes and public walkways in safe condition.
Of note, the complaint invokes Yusko v. NCL, an Eleventh Circuit case that allows vicarious liability claims without proof of notice when the ship’s employees themselves create the hazard.
Industry Implications: Pool Deck Safety and Crew Training Under Scrutiny
The Beckles case highlights persistent legal exposure for cruise lines when it comes to wet decks and inadequate warning practices. Numerous lawsuits have been filed in recent years over synthetic deck surfaces that become slick when wet, combined with insufficient signage and inconsistent crew monitoring.
If successful, this case may further push the cruise industry to implement more uniform and proactive safety protocols, including real-time inspection logs, consistent signage placement, and enhanced crew training for high-risk zones like open-air decks and poolside walkways.
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