What began as another lively day on board Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas turned into a frightening moment when part of the ship's tallest water slide shattered mid-ride, injuring a passenger and forcing the attraction to close.
The accident happened on Wednesday, 7 August, as the vessel sailed through the Caribbean Sea between Miami and the cruise line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Crew members quickly shut down the ride and escorted the injured guest to the ship's medical centre for treatment.
What Happened
The Frightening Bolt, promoted as the tallest water slide at sea, spans several decks and features long stretches of enclosed reinforced glass. According to witnesses, a glass panel gave way partway down the ride, sending water spraying out and alarming guests nearby.
Passengers reported hearing a sharp cracking sound moments before the break. Crew stationed at the attraction acted immediately, stopping any further riders and sealing off the area. Photos later shared online appeared to show a section of the slide without its glass casing, though Royal Caribbean has not confirmed when those images were taken.
When and Where
The incident occurred in the early afternoon, several days into the ship's itinerary. The Frightening Bolt had reportedly been operating without issue earlier in the day, with no visible signs of damage before the accident.
At the time, Icon of the Seas was en route between Miami and CocoCay. The ship, launched in January 2024, is the largest in the cruise line's fleet and has drawn international attention for its record-breaking attractions, including the Frightening Bolt.
Who Was Involved
The injured passenger has not been identified. Royal Caribbean confirmed the guest was treated on board and did not require evacuation to shore. Crew trained in emergency procedures immediately cleared the surrounding area and assisted the passenger.
Why It Matters
Accidents of this nature are rare, particularly on a new vessel. As one of Icon of the Seas' headline attractions, the Frightening Bolt is a major draw for passengers, and its closure could raise questions about maintenance protocols and safety inspections.
In a statement provided to People, Royal Caribbean said: 'We are aware of an incident on board Icon of the Seas in which a guest was injured. Safety is our top priority, and we are conducting a full investigation.'
Royal Caribbean's Response
The slide remained closed for the rest of the voyage while engineers assessed the damage. The company has not provided a timeline for reopening and is investigating whether the failure was due to a manufacturing defect, installation issue, or an unexpected impact.
Other pools and water attractions on board remained open, but passengers noted an increase in visible safety checks across the ship in the days following the incident.
