Passenger Injured After Water Slide Malfunction on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas
Miami, FL – August 7, 2025 — A passenger aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas was injured Thursday after a water slide malfunction caused an acrylic glass panel to shatter mid-ride, sending water gushing out and sparking chaos among guests.
According to witnesses, the accident occurred on one of the cruise ship’s popular multi-story water slides while the vessel was sailing in the Caribbean. Video footage captured by passenger Jim Muldoon and shared with CBS News shows water pouring from the damaged section of the slide as bystanders screamed, “Stop the slide! Stop the slide!”
Royal Caribbean confirmed the incident in a statement to PEOPLE, saying:
“Our team provided medical care to an adult guest when acrylic glass broke off a water slide as the guest passed through the slide. The guest is being treated for his injuries.”
The company did not disclose the severity of the passenger’s injuries but noted the man is currently in stable condition. Officials have not yet identified him publicly.
Slide Closed, Investigation Underway
Royal Caribbean said the affected water slide has been closed for the remainder of the voyage as engineers and safety teams investigate the cause of the breakage. The Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship and a flagship addition to the company’s fleet, is scheduled to return to its home port in Miami on Saturday.
Thursday’s accident disrupted what had been a high-energy day aboard the vessel, with passengers reportedly shocked by the sight of the acrylic panel breaking and water spilling from the attraction. “Everyone just froze,” one passenger told local media. “We didn’t know if the person inside was okay.”
Previous Safety Concerns
The latest mishap comes just weeks after two other high-profile safety incidents on the same ship.
On July 27, a passenger was caught on video falling from the glass railing of the ship’s infinity pool while attempting to retrieve a pair of sunglasses. The video, shared widely on social media by Only in Florida, shows the man leaning dangerously far over the pool’s edge, legs in the air, before tumbling over the railing.
Royal Caribbean later clarified that the guest fell into the pool’s gutter area — not overboard — and was uninjured. “Our crew immediately attended to the guest and fortunately, the guest did not experience any injuries,” the cruise line stated.
Deadly Altercation at Sea
Just two weeks prior to the pool incident, Icon of the Seas was the scene of a deadly altercation between two crew members.
Authorities say a 35-year-old South African crew member allegedly stabbed a 28-year-old South African woman multiple times while the ship was sailing near San Salvador Island in the Bahamas. The suspect then fled the scene, jumped overboard, and was later found dead in the water.
Royal Caribbean described the event as “a personal dispute” and confirmed that the female victim was treated by the ship’s medical team. Neither individual’s name has been released publicly.
Industry Spotlight on Cruise Safety
While cruise vacations are generally considered safe, maritime safety experts note that high-profile incidents like these can raise public concern, particularly aboard new, highly publicized ships like Icon of the Seas. Launched earlier this year, the ship features record-breaking attractions and amenities, including multiple water parks, luxury suites, and entertainment venues.
Cruise analyst Rebecca Hall told reporters that back-to-back safety incidents on a single vessel can have a reputational impact, even if they are unrelated. “Guests expect the newest ships to also be the safest ships,” she said. “When you have a slide breaking, a passenger falling from a pool, and a fatal crew altercation within a short span, it naturally raises questions.”
Royal Caribbean Response
In its statements following each incident, Royal Caribbean emphasized its commitment to guest and crew safety, highlighting rapid emergency response and onboard medical capabilities.
Regarding the slide malfunction, the company stressed that the closure was precautionary and that a full inspection will be carried out before the attraction reopens. “The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority,” the statement read.
Voyage Continues Amid Heightened Caution
Despite the unsettling events, the Icon of the Seas has continued its scheduled itinerary. Passengers have reported a visible increase in crew presence around high-traffic recreational areas, and some attractions have implemented additional safety checks before allowing guests to participate.
The injured passenger from Thursday’s incident remains under observation by the ship’s medical team. Royal Caribbean has not indicated whether he will disembark early for further treatment once the ship reaches Miami.
As the investigation into the water slide malfunction proceeds, maritime regulators and industry observers will be watching closely. For now, the world’s largest cruise ship remains under the spotlight — and not for the reasons Royal Caribbean might have hoped.
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