Washington State Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall on Wet Promenade Floor Aboard Adventure of the Seas
Christy Glonek, a resident of Snohomish County, Washington, 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 legal action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-22185-DPG, alleges that Glonek sustained serious and permanent physical injuries after slipping on a puddle of water while walking through a high-traffic passenger area on the M/V Adventure of the Seas on March 30, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Adventure of the Seas Promenade Due to Hidden Water Spill and Lack of Warning Signs
According to the complaint, the incident took place while Glonek was walking with her family on the ship’s Promenade Deck near a pub. The Promenade is described as a primary interior thoroughfare lined with shops and cafes designed to attract guest activity. Glonek alleges that the flooring in this area consists of a hard, smooth surface with a variegated color and texture that effectively disguised the presence of liquid. As she navigated around tables that were protruding into the walkway, she stepped into a puddle of water and fell hard onto her back and left hip. The lawsuit asserts that there were no caution signs, wet floor cones, or barriers in place to alert passengers to the hazard prior to the fall.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Having Constructive Knowledge of Recurring Slippery Conditions on Promenade Deck Flooring
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive notice of the dangerous condition. Glonek claims that after her fall, a crew member mopping the area stated that water regularly accumulated on the floor in that specific location and that other passengers had previously slipped there. The complaint further argues that the cruise line was aware of the risks associated with this specific flooring material across its fleet. To support the claim of notice, the plaintiff’s legal team cites several prior maritime slip and fall cases against cruise lines, including Cogburn v. Carnival Corporation and Guevara v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., which address the standards for constructive notice and substantially similar prior incidents. The presence of footprints through the water also suggested the spill had existed for a sufficient amount of time for ship staff to have discovered and remediated it.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Floor Maintenance and Failure to Follow Internal Safety Protocols Aboard Royal Caribbean Vessel
The legal filing contends that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to maintain the Promenade flooring in a safe and dry condition. Glonek alleges that the cruise line’s own internal policies require the deployment of “wet floor” or “caution” signs whenever a spill is detected, yet no such warnings were present at the time of her accident. The complaint points out that crew members were working in the immediate vicinity and should have observed the hazard. Furthermore, the plaintiff argues that the arrangement of dining tables created a visual screen that blocked her view of the floor, making it impossible to see the water until it was too late. The lawsuit also references industry safety standards, such as ASTM and NFPA codes, claiming the flooring lacked a sufficient coefficient of friction to be safe when wet.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Physical Injuries and Loss of Capacity for Enjoyment of Life Due to Shipboard Negligence
Glonek brings four counts against Royal Caribbean: negligence, negligent failure to warn, vicarious liability for negligent failure to maintain, and vicarious liability for negligent failure to warn. She alleges that the fall resulted in severe bodily injuries, permanent scarring, mental anguish, and significant medical expenses. In addition to seeking compensation for past and future medical care and household assistance, Glonek is pursuing damages for the lost value of her cruise vacation. The complaint demands a jury trial and seeks a judgment that includes court costs, interest, and any other damages deemed appropriate under general maritime law.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured on a Vessel Due to Negligent Maintenance
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to wet floors, hidden spills, or a lack of proper warning signage on a vessel may be eligible for financial compensation. Ship operators like Royal Caribbean are legally required to maintain passenger areas in a reasonably safe condition and to warn travelers of known hazards that are not open and obvious. If you or a loved one experienced a serious injury while on a cruise, our team of dedicated maritime attorneys can help you navigate the complexities of federal court litigation.
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.
