The cruise line’s own promotional materials, still live on its website as of Saturday, describe the slide as “engineered for thrills and built to the highest safety standards.” Maritime safety expert Dr. Colin Franks told BBC News that the incident raises serious questions about manufacturing defects or maintenance oversight. “If the ride was operating under standard conditions and failed like this, it’s a major red flag,” he said.
Maritime safety experts say structural failure on a new cruise ship ride is “extremely rare” and warrants a full investigation. pic.twitter.com/zxzV6N8yCf— Travel Safety Watch (@TravelSafeWatch) August 9, 2025
Some passengers have already contacted attorneys. Maritime law firm Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman confirmed to Local 10 Miami that they are representing at least two families aboard the ship. “Our clients allege there were visible signs of wear and unusual noises before the incident, and that crew members failed to take preventative action,” the firm said in a statement.
Dalton, who remains hospitalized in Puerto Rico, reportedly suffered multiple lacerations requiring more than 40 stitches, along with deep bruising and possible nerve damage. Friends set up a GoFundMe page to help cover his medical costs and travel home, which has already raised over $25,000.
Meanwhile, on social media, cruise enthusiasts and safety advocates are clashing over who bears responsibility. Some say Royal Caribbean’s rapid expansion of thrill attractions on ships like Icon of the Seas may be pushing engineering limits. Others argue that this was an unpredictable fluke. “You don’t expect the world’s biggest, newest ship to have rides literally falling apart,” one passenger wrote on Reddit.
“The kids were screaming. Parents were yelling for help. And the ride kept running for another 30 seconds.” — Passenger on Icon of the Seas pic.twitter.com/UqYjEKnYw2— Ocean Watch (@OceanWatchNews) August 9, 2025
Adding to the controversy, multiple passengers allege that the ship’s crew initially downplayed the incident. Hernandez, the eyewitness, said announcements over the loudspeaker referred only to a “technical malfunction” and told guests to “enjoy other onboard activities.” “It felt like they were trying to make us forget about it,” she told The Washington Post.
Experts say that depending on the findings of the investigation, Royal Caribbean could face lawsuits under maritime law, which imposes strict duties on cruise lines to ensure passenger safety. “The scale of this ship makes it a floating city,” said attorney Michael Winkleman in an interview with CBS News. “If something as basic as a waterslide can fail like this, it calls into question the integrity of the whole operation.”
As the ship continues its itinerary without the ride in operation, some passengers say the atmosphere has shifted from excitement to unease. “Every time I walk past that taped-off slide, I think about the look on that man’s face,” Campbell said. “We all came here for fun, but now it feels different. You can’t unsee something like that.”
