Cruise & Ferry
Shocking Video Captures Water Gushing From Broken Water Slide On A Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship, One Injured
A shocking event occurred aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas when a waterslide unexpectedly ruptured mid-ride, resulting in one person sustaining injuries. The incident took place on Thursday during a week-long voyage around the eastern Caribbean, causing a significant gap in the waterslide. Passengers quickly reacted by shouting, “Stop the slide!” as water poured out from the damaged area.
A clip of the occurrence captured the chaos onboard after an acrylic glass panel shattered while a man was enjoying the slide.
“Our staff administered medical assistance to an adult patron when acrylic glass detached from a waterslide as the patron traversed through it,” stated a spokesperson from Royal Caribbean Group. He continued, “The guest is receiving treatment for his injuries. The water slide will be closed for the duration of the cruise while an investigation is underway.”
Although the identity of the injured individual remains undisclosed, ABC News reported that his condition is stable.
The specific reason behind the acrylic glass failure is still unknown. The company has committed to a full investigation and reviewing all safety protocols to avert similar incidents in the future.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the first ship in the Icon Class and is 250,800 GT’s. She carries 5,496 passengers (based on two per cabin) with a total guest capacity of 6,826 and is one of the largest cruise ship’s in the World along with her newest sister, Star of the Seas.
Glass panel breaks off Icon of the Seas cruise water slide
Passengers aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise tried to alert staff members when a glass panel broke off a slide.
Officials on board a Royal Caribbean cruise liner responded after a guest sustained injuries from a water slide on Thursday.
The incident occurred on the Icon of the Seas, the company said in a written statement.
“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 company said, noting the guest is being treated for his injuries and the water slide is closed for the remainder of the cruise as an investigation takes place.
Video captures frightening moment
Footage captured of the incident shows the busted glass panel with water pouring out of the enclosed slide. In the video, someone asks “Did the person fall out?” Another responds “Yes, they did.”
Bystanders are heard alerting workers to “stop the slide.” Watch the moment in the video above.
Previous incidents on Royal Caribbean cruises
Royal Caribbean offers seven-night vacations on board the 1,198-foot-long vessel. Icon of the Seas features six waterslides, an adults-only retreat and seven pools, according to the company’s website.
Some of the packages include stops in the Bahamas, Honduras and Mexico.
Royal Caribbean officials did not disclose additional information or identify the guest involved. The company is the second-largest cruise liner in the world.
In recent years, the company has faced other injury claims ranging from slip and falls to medical negligence.
Last month, Royal Caribbean International reported a guest fell over the side of an infinity pool on board Icon of the Seas but did not sustain injuries. The guest was attempting to retrieve their sunglasses at the time of the incident.
Also in July, a crew member was pronounced dead after allegedly jumping overboard after stabbing another employee.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com
The port of Hamburg is making shore power mandatory for cruise ships visiting its three terminals starting in 2027.
According to local media, all vessels capable of using the technology will be required to do so when calling in Hamburg.
The measure comes three years ahead of similar European Union requirements entering effect, NDR.de reported.
“It’s also important for the acceptance of the cruise business in the city as a whole,” Hamburg’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Melanie Leonhard, told the news outlet.
Cruise lines and ships that fail to meet the requirements will be subjected to sanctions, including so-called “compensation payments,” she continued.
Leonhard said that two-thirds of all ships capable of using shore power are currently using shore power when visiting Hamburg.
NDR.de reported that the use of shore power makes operations in Hamburg significantly more expensive for cruise ships sailing to the port.
Jens Meier, head of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), told the website that the port was a European pioneer in offering shore power for cruise vessels.
Shore power is currently available at two of the port’s terminals, including the Hamburg-Altona Cruise Terminal, which was one of the first in the region to offer the technology back in 2017.
In 2024, the Steinwerder Cruise Terminal became the second in Hamburg to offer connections for vessels.
The technology is now coming to the new HafenCity Cruise Terminal, which is scheduled to be completed later this year.
The two new connections being added to the terminals will undergo trials before being available for ships in 2027.
A major homeport in Germany, Hamburg serves as a starting point for cruises from a wide range of brands, including AIDA, Costa, MSC, TUI, Cunard and Hapag-Lloyd.
The town is also a popular port of call for other brands, such as Royal Caribbean, P&O, Norwegian, Princess, Silversea, Regent and more.
Frank M
Frank is a seasoned travel journalist with over a decade of experience covering hospitality, cruise, and air travel.
He has traveled extensively by land, sea, and air, collaborating with industry giants like Marriott, Hyatt, Disney, and Carnival Corp. His work has been featured in major international and industry publications across four continents.
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