By fypfeed – News | 9th August 2025
Passengers Panic After Hole Opens The largest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas is again making headlines and not in the way the owners would prefer. A shocking incident took place on the ship when a guest was said to be “sliced open” after a waterslide broke mid-ride, putting passengers in a state of panic when staff scrambled to shut the park.
It is the Icon of the Seas the new record breaking Royal Caribbean liner launched in January 2024, boasts 7600 people. It has been advertised as the ultimate in modern-day cruise. With its numerous areas with pools, entertainment zones and water slides that are headline-grabbing the ship was created to offer a truly memorable holiday experience. However, the most recent Icon of the Seas incident has raised some serious safety concerns.
The Incident: A Ride Turns Dangerous
The incident took place on August 7, aboard the vessel’s terrifying Bolt the slide that is one of its water slides that are renowned. According to reports from passengers and in the Telegraph the slide was damaged when it was in use and left a sharp edge.
A man of a certain age went down the slide and was left with numerous cuts to his legs and back. Witnesses reported the scene as a “chaotic” scene as screams were heard both from inside the slide and from people close by.
One stunned passenger who captured the aftermath of the accident said “We thought at first he just hit the wall too hard, but then we saw blood and realized something was very wrong. People started yelling to stop the ride immediately.”
Royal Caribbean confirmed the Icon of the Seas waterslide injury in an announcement.
“Our team provided medical care to an adult guest when acrylic glass broke off a water slide as the guest passed through. The guest is being treated for his injuries,” the company stated.
The cruise line added that the frightening Bolt waterslide would be shut for the duration of the sailing as investigations are conducted.
Another spokesperson emphasized the company’s security procedures and told UNILAD: “The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority. To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.”
Passengers Capture Footage of Damaged Slide
Videos posted on social media showed a huge crack in the slide’s acrylic tube which let water out. In one video, other travelers could be heard screaming “Stop the slide!” while others waved to block guests from gaining access to the slide.
Another video shows crew members putting their tarps over the damaged part of Deck 16, where the attraction is.
People who were interviewed afterwards described feeling of anxiety: “You come on this ship thinking everything is safe, state-of-the-art. To see someone bleeding after a ride like this is terrifying.”
Not the First Icon of the Seas Tragedy
It is important to note that the Icon of the Seas accident in 2025 is not the only shocking incident that has made headlines. A few months prior, in May 2024 the man who died tragically after he fell over 80 feet from the ship, which was about 300 miles far from Port Miami.
The time was when Royal Caribbean confirmed a full search-and-rescue operation was initiated together with and with the US Coast Guard. The incident drew the attention of the world which raised concerns over the safety of passengers and the monitoring of mental health on mega-liners.
Together together, these back-to-back Royal Caribbean cruise incidents have brought into question how the company can ensure passenger health and safety on such large vessels.
Safety Concerns on Mega Cruise Ships
The size of the Icon of the Seas with its more than 1,200 feet in length and carrying more than 250,000 gross tons creates it as an engineering marvel as well as an logistical nightmare. With hundreds of passengers traveling across several decks, attractions or facilities the smallest issues can quickly turn into dangerous safety issues.
Experts say that waterslides, although frequent on modern cruise ships have their own risks. They are built on several decks and enclosed with acrylic, they depend on the structural integrity of the structure to be in good condition. Even tiny cracks can result in damage, water pressure imbalances or even catastrophic failures.
“Slides at sea experience unique stresses — from weather changes to ship vibrations,” said maritime safety expert Dr. Aaron Mitchell. “This makes regular inspections and maintenance crucial. The fact that a break occurred so early in the vessel’s life cycle is concerning.”
Passengers React: Fear, Anger, and Disappointment
Many holidaymakers aboard this cruise, the accident destroyed the tranquility of their luxurious cruise. Many posted on social media to demand refunds or complaining that the widely-publicized slide had been shut.
“We paid thousands for this trip, and to see someone injured like that was horrifying. Now the ride is shut, and honestly, I don’t even feel safe letting my kids near the other slides,” one mom posted on Facebook.
Others, however defended the cruise line and said staff members’ quick responses was instrumental in preventing any further injuries.
“Yes, it was scary, but accidents happen anywhere. I was impressed with how fast the crew handled it,” one of the passengers tweeted.
Investigations Underway
In the moment, Royal Caribbean has not provided the specific causes of this slide’s fracture. The maritime safety authorities could be consulted to determine if there were design flaws, weaknesses in materials or other operational lapses have contributed to this Icon of the Seas water slide injury.
Researchers suggest that the findings could affect the future attractions offered by cruise ships particularly as cruise lines increasingly battle to provide the highest or fastest, or the most extreme water slides at sea.
A Pattern of Cruise Ship Incidents?
It is no secret that the cruise business, which is still recovering from the pandemic disruptions of the past has been a victim of several scandalous safety incidents over the last few years. Outside of incident like the Icon of the Seas incident several other cruise ships have also been the subject of headlines:
- A Carnival ship was destroyed by fire in 2022 and forced passengers to leave the ship.
- A Norwegian vessel struck an iceberg on 2022, which led to an emergency porting.
- Multiple outbreaks of norovirus across various fleets.
Every event, while uncommon in comparison to the millions of safe journeys that take place each year is a source of debate about the issue of whether the trend towards ever-larger, more entertaining vessels is harming the safety of passengers.
The Future of Cruise Safety
Royal Caribbean has promised full transparency and safety assessments after the accident. But maritime professionals say that the trust of passengers is not a guarantee.
“Cruise lines market these ships as floating cities where every attraction is perfectly safe,” Dr. Mitchell explained. “When something as basic as a water slide causes severe injuries it diminishes confidence in the entire system. “
It is likely that the Icon of the Seas will continue to sail however for a lot of people the excitement of luxurious cruises is now replaced by fear. How Royal Caribbean can reassure guests — and prevent recurrence of similar incidents from happening again -will decide how this $2 billion vessel is remembered.
Conclusion
The Icon of the Seas water slide accident highlights the problems that the cruise industry faces in its quest to push the boundaries of engineering as well as entertainment. Although Royal Caribbean insists guest safety is the highest priority, the image of a wounded passenger as well as a damaged slide on the newest mega-ship has left a lasting mark on.
As travelers are debating whether their dream vacations are worth the risk There is one thing that is for sure that this most recent Royal Caribbean cruise incident will keep passengers and regulators on the lookout for any signs of trouble.
