Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, witnessed a harrowing accident on Thursday, August 7, when the vessel’s tallest waterslide — the Frightening Bolt — suffered a catastrophic failure mid-ride.

The ship was sailing between Miami and the cruise line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, when a section of the slide’s clear acrylic tubing cracked, creating a jagged edge. As an unsuspecting male passenger descended from the 16th floor, he came into contact with the sharp edge, sustaining deep cuts to his back and legs. The fracture quickly widened into a gaping hole, sending water streaming out as shocked guests below shouted to operators to “Stop the slide!”

Witness Accounts of the Incident

Several passengers reported being frozen in disbelief as they saw the water spewing from the damaged section. “We saw the gaping hole, the water was coming out — it was disturbing and scary,” one witness told NBC6. Another passenger said they had gone down the slide only 20 minutes earlier and shuddered to think the same could have happened to them.

Some guests admitted the ordeal has changed how they feel about onboard attractions. “I will not be going on slides like that ever again,” one said flatly. Others voiced frustration over what they described as poor communication from the cruise line, claiming they received no official explanation as events unfolded and only learned details from fellow passengers.

Immediate Response and Investigation

Royal Caribbean confirmed that the injured guest was treated on board and is now in stable condition. The Frightening Bolt was shut down immediately and will remain closed until a full investigation is complete. Engineers are working to determine whether the failure stemmed from a manufacturing defect, installation issue, or unforeseen impact.

While other pools and slides stayed open, passengers noticed heightened safety checks across the ship in the days following the incident. The cruise line has not given a date for the slide’s reopening.

Royal Caribbean’s Safety Statement

In multiple statements, Royal Caribbean emphasized that “the health and safety of our guests and crew are our top priority” and highlighted their “rigorous safety protocols” that exceed public health guidelines. The company reiterated that the slide would remain closed for the rest of the voyage and that any decision to reopen would follow a thorough safety review.

A Black Mark on a Record-Breaking Vessel

The Icon of the Seas was touted as a marvel of engineering and a floating resort, with the Frightening Bolt as one of its headline attractions. This incident — involving an injury, structural damage, and a highly visible mid-ride failure — has cast a shadow over the ship’s reputation and raised broader questions about the safety of high-thrill cruise ship rides.

For some guests, the sight of the broken slide and the injured passenger will be a lasting memory, serving as a reminder that even in the most luxurious settings, accidents can happen in an instant.