Miami — A terrifying moment unfolded aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas when a portion of the “Frightening Bolt” waterslide broke apart mid-ride, injuring an adult passenger and sending water flooding onto the deck. Dramatic video footage captured terrified guests shouting “Stop the slide!” as the acrylic (sometimes described as glass-fibre-reinforced) panel fractured under part of the slide’s structure.
What Happened?
During the seven-day Caribbean voyage, a rider was gliding through the Frightening Bolt—the ship’s tallest and most dramatic waterslide—when an acrylic panel abruptly shattered. The break caused water to gush onto Deck 15 and reportedly cut the rider’s leg and back. Eyewitnesses described a jagged opening in the slide’s tubing, and although the guest did not fall through, the situation prompted widespread alarm among other passengers.
Immediate Response
Royal Caribbean staff promptly treated the injured adult guest, who remains in stable condition. In its statement, the cruise line confirmed: “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 guest is being treated for his injuries.”
Ongoing Measures
The slide has been closed for the remainder of the voyage while Royal Caribbean conducts a comprehensive investigation into what caused the malfunction.
A Troubling Pattern
This incident adds to a string of recent safety-related events aboard the Icon of the Seas, including a crew stabbing and subsequent overboard incident in late July, as well as a guest falling over the edge of an infinity pool earlier this month—though in that case, no injuries were reported.
Background: The Frightening Bolt
The Frightening Bolt is part of Thrill Island, a water-park complex aboard the 250,000-ton ship featuring the tallest waterslides at sea. The slide includes an enclosed capsule and trapdoor drop that sends riders twisting through a 46-foot descent—making this malfunction particularly unnerving given its high-intensity design.
Looking Ahead
Royal Caribbean is expected to provide further updates following the investigation. The cruise will return to Miami—its home port—on Saturday, and guests, along with the broader cruising community, will be closely watching for any additional safety protocols or slide redesigns.
This incident continues to cast a shadow over the Icon of the Seas, once celebrated for its record-breaking attractions. Royal Caribbean now confronts mounting scrutiny as it races to maintain passenger confidence and ensure future safety.
