Shocking Royal Caribbean waterslide horror explained.
A vacation on a luxury cruise ship took a terrifying turn when a waterslide malfunctioned in mid-ride.
Royal Caribbean waterslide disaster profiled.
The accident happened aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas as it sailed between Miami and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The passenger was riding the ‘Frightening Bolt’ waterslide when a section suddenly cracked, exposing a jagged edge.
He sustained lacerations to his back and legs from the sharp break.
Social media quickly filled with footage of water gushing from the damaged slide.
Videos captured panicked passengers shouting “oh my God” and urging others to stop using the slide.
Screams of “Stop the slide!” echoed amid chaos as people tried to prevent further injuries.
Eyewitnesses noted the slide was on the ship’s 16th floor, illustrating the ship’s immense size.
Perfect Day at CocoCay, the private island destination, is famous for its pristine beaches and water parks.
On the day of the incident, the ship was en route to CocoCay, making the accident all the more jarring.
The injured passenger was promptly treated by the ship’s medical staff.
Technical details dissected.
Close-up footage revealed a large hole cracked open in the acrylic waterslide panel.
The Icon of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s flagship, launched with a focus on high-tech thrills and innovations.
At over 250,000 gross tons, it’s one of the largest cruise ships ever built, featuring multiple water attractions.
The ‘Frightening Bolt’ slide is made from acrylic glass, chosen for its durability and smooth finish.
Acrylic, while tough, can crack if stressed or impacted unexpectedly.
Prior minor repairs had been conducted on the waterslide, but nothing as severe as this latest break.
Royal Caribbean’s safety teams carry out daily inspections of water attractions onboard.
Royal Caribbean’s official response confirmed.
Royal Caribbean confirmed the injury occurred when an acrylic glass panel broke as the passenger slid through.
Royal Caribbean stated the slide remained closed for the remainder of the voyage as engineers assessed damage.
The company has not announced when the slide will reopen pending an investigation.
They are investigating whether the failure stemmed from a manufacturing defect, installation fault, or unexpected impact.
Other pools and water attractions onboard stayed operational throughout the incident.
Passengers noticed increased visible safety inspections across the ship in the days following the accident.
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson emphasized that guest health and safety remain the company’s highest priority.
The spokesperson added the company’s cleaning and safety procedures exceed public health guidelines.
Despite reassurances, the incident raised questions about material durability and inspection efficacy on cruise water attractions.
Some guests expressed concern but also applauded the quick medical response and transparency.
The closure leaves thrill-seekers searching for other onboard adventures during the remainder of the cruise.
Thrills on hold as waterslide remains closed.
This rare safety scare on Royal Caribbean’s mega-ship has sent shockwaves through the cruising community.
It marks a significant test for the cruise line’s safety protocols on its most high-profile vessel.
For now, the Icon of the Seas continues sailing, minus one of its most thrilling attractions.