Royal Caribbean Sued by Passenger Over Injuries Tripping Over Mobility Scooters on Cruise Ship

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., also known as Royal Caribbean Group, is facing a maritime personal injury lawsuit filed by Colleen Parsons, a Florida resident.

The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on May 18, 2026, under case number 1:26-cv-23495-RKA.

The incident that gave rise to the lawsuit occurred around June 22, 2025, while Parsons was enjoying a cruise as a paying passenger on the Jewel of the Seas.

According to the lawsuit, Parsons was walking through Casino Royale, the ship's casino, which was described as being very crowded with passengers.

Amidst the crowd, another passenger collided with her, causing Parsons to trip over a large electric mobility scooter.

The scooter was reportedly parked directly in the walkway by a female passenger.

The @RoyalCaribbean passenger allegedly tripped over a parked mobility scooter. Now she says the #cruise line is at fault, seeking over $75,000 is damages after she "bumped" into & tripped over another traveler's stationary scooter. Fr @people https://t.co/TizvuZjSry

— Stewart Chiron (@CruiseGuy) June 8, 2026

As a result of the fall, Parsons suffered a severe and comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal radius of her left wrist.

This injury required open reduction internal fixation surgery, which subsequently left scarring and permanent disfigurement.

Parsons is seeking compensation for various damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and the diminished enjoyment and value of his cruise vacation.

She says the injuries are permanent and/or continuing in nature.

The lawsuit accuses Royal Caribbean of failing to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances.

The plaintiffs claim the cruise line negligently monitored or supervised the placement and use of large mobility devices in confined and crowded passenger spaces.

Parsons' attorneys argue that Royal Caribbean "failed to maintain a safe environment" and failed to warn guests about "walkway hazards."

The lawsuit further alleges that the ship's crew failed to establish or enforce adequate safety protocols for the operation and parking of mobility scooters, and failed to properly train and supervise employees regarding the safe placement of mobility devices.

Parsons asserts that she acted with reasonable care for his own safety and could not foresee or avoid the danger before the incident.

The lawsuit also alleges that Royal Caribbean had actual and constructive knowledge of the danger posed by the large mobility scooter blocking the passenger walkway.

As evidence of prior notice, the plaintiffs' legal team points to a prior maritime personal injury case in the Southern District of Florida, Shellie v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., Case No. 100-100. 24-CV-23035-JB, in which a passenger was also allegedly struck by a similar mobility device.

In Royal Caribbean's response to the amended complaint, filed on June 3, the company largely denied Parson's allegations.

Instead, they said the passenger was at fault. PEOPLE has reached out to Parson's attorney for comment.

Parson's “own negligence was the sole proximate cause of her injuries and damages, and as such any damages are barred as a matter of law,” an attorney representing the cruise line wrote.

“The allegedly dangerous condition was open and obvious and should have been observed by [Parson] through the ordinary use of her senses.”