Slip and Fall on NCL Prima? We are Lawyers for Injured Cruise Passengers
Slip and Fall Risks on Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva, and Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima is one of NCL’s newer ships with its inaugural sailing in August 2022 from Reykjavik, Iceland to Amsterdam, Netherlands before being home-ported ultimately at Port Canaveral for Caribbean voyages. But much like Prima’s sister class ships, the Norwegian Aqua which is the newest, and Norwegian Viva which debuted in 2023, there have been numerous complaints about how slippery some of the floors are. Especially the main pool deck with the off white, grey and beige floorings, as well as the Ocean boulevard, the walking track and in the spa called the thermal suite where people are slipping and falling walking between the steam room, sauna, ice and snow room and the vitality pools.
The Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva and the Norwegian aqua have received accolades for their modern and sleek new look on the interior of the ship where they are designed to be more compartmentalized to give passengers the feeling that they are not jammed in one big cattle car. The Prima class ships made in Italy, are a departure from the Breakaway class vessels made in Germany in earlier years. The Norwegian Prima cost about $850 million to build and has a double occupancy capacity of 3,215 passengers, with a maximum capacity of around 3,950 when fully booked. This is still half the capacity of the giant Royal Caribbean ships like Icon of the Seas And Star Of the Seas. Norwegian Prima is designed to attract cruisers who like want to feel like a luxury resort providing high service levels with a passenger-to-crew ratio of approximately 3:1. One would think they have plenty of crew members to stay on top of wet floors with squeegees and warning signs.
However, inevitably these cruise ship pool decks are sometimes slick as an ice skating rink causing passengers to slip and fall sustaining serious injuries. There are constantly ugly yellow warning signs put out and even permanently left in problem areas, taking away from the clean lines and warm colors that make the ship feel modern and sleek. Norwegian tries to keep up, but the nature of the material and the the fact the area is exposed to water from the pools, bathing suits, drinks, sunblock and the weather, make it hard to prevent accidents. The selection of the materials may be part of the problem creating the danger for slip and falls, as well as failing to maintain the floors with the proper protocol according to manufacturer specifications.
Slip and Fall on NCL Prima
Key Outdoor Slip and Fall Hazard Zones on Norwegian Prima
There appears to be several problem areas for slip and falls on the Prima that are cause for concern and extra caution. Most are exposed to the elements in some way and get wet frequently. For example, areas like the Ocean Boulevard, a 360-degree promenade on Deck 8, spanning 44,000 square feet, with infinity pools. The pools are always going to be an issue for cruise lines like Norwegian. Also the Oceanwalk which is glass-bottomed bridge over the ocean. A scary place to slip and fall I am sure. Also outside and prone to slip and falls is Indulge Food Hall which is an open-air marketplace with 11 eateries. Not only can people fall from rain, ocean spray, wet bathing suits, you have the potential for spilled food and drinks to keep up with. Infinity Beach is a secondary pool and lounge areas on Deck 8 with infinity pools that blend visually with the ocean. Cruise ship slip and fall lawyers anticipate that infinity pools will have spill over at times, leading to more wet floor to slip and fall on for passengers. The Concourse is an outdoor sculpture garden which can be a potential hazard when wet and of course, the Aqua Park which has two swimming pools, five waterslides (including The Drop, a 10-deck freefall dry slide, and Tidal Wave, the first innertube surfing slide), and a Kid’s Aqua Park. Slip and falls galore are bound happen in the Aqua Park. Especially with running kids.
Indoor Areas That Pose Slip and Fall or Trip Hazards
Inside a problem areas would be the Mandara Spa which is a two-deck wellness complex with a charcoal sauna (the first at sea), a two-story waterfall, salt room, ice room, infrared sauna, and 22 hot-stone loungers in the adult only area called Thermal Suites. The Galaxy Pavilion is a virtual reality arcade where people will bring drinks a spill them on the slippery polished floor. The Prima Theater & Club is a problem for trip and falls. It is a multi-use venue that transforms from a three-story theater hosting Broadway-style shows to a nightclub. Dark lighting and steps are a potential hazard even when there are lights on the steps that can be disorienting. Going from brightly lit areas to dark areas can cause people to loos vision of stairs or level changes. The Stadium is an outdoor gaming area with mini-golf and other activities on Deck 18 that unsuspecting passengers can trip and fall or slip and fall. . And Penrose Atrium is three-level atrium (Decks 6-8) with floor-to-ceiling windows, a 3-ton crystal chandelier, and bars like Starbucks and Whiskey Bar which have shiny tile floorings that can become slippery when wet leading to severe injuries like an ankle fracture, broken hip, broken pelvis, broken wrist, concussions, broken femeur, broken tibia, broken fibula, torn ligaments, you name it.
Understanding the Risks and Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents on NCL Prima
Slip and fall incidents are among the most common injuries aboard cruise ships. Though often categorized as accidental, many of these falls are the direct result of preventable hazards. On NCL Prima, frequent factors contributing to these incidents include:
Wet and Slippery Deck Surfaces
Outdoor decks around pools, buffet areas, or bar service zones are often exposed to water, drinks, and cleaning agents. If these surfaces are not treated with slip-resistant materials or properly dried, they create a serious hazard. Sometimes the materials selected do not meet the criteria expected for mass foot traffic and elements exposure.
Poor Lighting and Visibility
Dim lighting in stairwells or hallways can obscure hazards like uneven flooring, luggage, or maintenance equipment, leading to avoidable injuries.
Lack of Warning Signs
When cleaning or repair work is underway, cruise staff must place highly visible signage warning passengers of wet floors or obstacles. Failure to do so is a breach of their duty of care.
Obstructed Walkways and Trip Hazards
Loose carpeting, raised thresholds, or unsecured furniture and cords can lead to fall accidents on NCL ships—especially during periods of turbulence or high foot traffic.
Legal Rights of Injured Cruise Passengers
If you suffered a slip and fall on NCL Prima, you may be entitled to recover compensation through a cruise ship personal injury claim. Under maritime law, cruise lines can be held liable when their negligence causes harm. This includes:
- Failing to maintain safe walking areas
- Not addressing known hazards
- Inadequate staff training or supervision
- Delayed or improper medical care onboard
Our role as your NCL Prima slip and fall lawyer is to gather the evidence needed to establish negligence and fight for your full and fair compensation.
Does a Wet Floor Sign Protect the Cruise Line from Liability?
Many people assume that if a cruise ship posts a “Caution: Wet Floor” sign, the cruise line is automatically protected from liability in a slip and fall case. But that’s not entirely accurate. While the presence of a wet floor sign may support the cruise line’s argument that it warned passengers of a hazardous condition, it does not completely relieve the cruise line of responsibility.
In legal terms, a wet floor sign may factor into a passenger’s comparative negligence—meaning the cruise line might argue that the injured person should have paid more attention or walked more cautiously. However, the mere existence of a sign doesn’t prevent accidents from happening, nor does it eliminate the cruise line’s duty to maintain safe conditions.
In fact, if a wet floor sign is consistently present in a certain area of the ship, it can actually support a claim that the cruise line knew the area was unsafe. It may be seen as an admission that the flooring or location is inherently dangerous—especially if multiple slip and fall incidents have occurred there and you have an experienced cruise injury lawyer who has handled other claims involving that type of flooring or knows how to litigate in federal court to get the OSI other similar incidents.
So, while it’s generally better for an injury claim if no wet floor signs were posted, the presence of a sign is not fatal to a case. Courts may still find the cruise line liable if the floor was unreasonably slippery, worn down, or defective in a way that posed a serious risk—even to cautious passengers.
Holding Norwegian Cruise Line Accountable for Onboard Injuries
A slip and fall on Norwegian Prima is no laughing matter when it results in a serious physical injury, long-term medical complications, and significant emotional and financial hardship. Slip and falls on cruises can be much more than just a ruined trip. As a modern cruise vessel operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, the NCL Prima is subject to legal liability under general maritime law if the ship touched a US port. Other similar laws may apply depending on where the ship docks and the nationality of the passenger. But under mots circumstances, NCL has a duty to maintain an its ship in a reasonably safe condition. Said another way, NCL must make reasonable efforts provide a safe environment for its guests. When that duty is breached due to cruise ship negligence, injured passengers have the legal right to seek compensation through the best maritime injury lawyers for on cruise ship injury cases who are typically located in in a Miami, Florida.
At Perkins Law Offices in Miami, our firm is widely recognized as among the best cruise ship personal injury lawyers. We have represented victims of cruise ship fall injuries that occur all over the world in international waters, in the Caribbean, at ports of calls and off the U.S. coast. We understand the challenges of bringing a claim against a global corporation and know how to hold Norwegian Cruise Line legally to account.
Why You Need a Maritime Injury Attorney
Filing a NCL Prima accident claim is not the same as a regular land-based injury lawsuit. Cruise lines include specific legal requirements in their passenger contracts:
- Time limitations: You often have just 6 months to notify the cruise line in writing and 1 year to file a lawsuit.
- Jurisdiction clauses: Your claim may need to be filed in federal court in Miami, Florida, regardless of where you boarded.
- Maritime law: Cases fall under general maritime law, requiring a specialized legal strategy and familiarity with industry practices.
That’s why hiring a seasoned Miami cruise injury lawyer with maritime expertise is critical. At Perkins Law Offices, we’ve handled high-stakes litigation against major cruise lines and know how to challenge their defenses effectively.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Slip and Fall Cruise Lawsuit?
A successful claim can result in compensation for:
- Emergency and ongoing medical care
- Lost income or diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or permanent impairment
In cases of egregious neglect, punitive damages may also apply. Your cruise slip and fall settlement amount will depend on the severity of your injury, evidence of negligence, and whether the condition was preventable.
Key Evidence in Slip and Fall Cases
To build a strong case, our firm gathers:
- Video surveillance footage once in suit
- Maintenance and inspection logs through discovery
- Witness statements and affidavits
- Ship safety and other types of incident reports
- Medical records and expert evaluations
- Years of cruise ship claim knowledge from other claims
Even if the cruise line claims the danger was “open and obvious,” which can be expected in many slip and falls and trip and falls as a defense, we challenge that defense by disproving its open and obviousness, or the condition is still dangerous or that distractions, poor visibility, or a passenger’s inability to appreciate the hazard due to age or disability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I sue Norwegian Cruise Line if I slipped on NCL Prima?
Yes. If your injury was caused by unsafe conditions or cruise ship negligence, you have the right to file a slip and fall cruise lawsuit or claim under maritime law and the provisions of the ticket contract. A qualified Norwegian Cruise Line injury attorney with Perkins Law Offices can assess your case and file the claim. We will always be honest and will tell you what we think of you potential case right out of the gate.
What is the deadline for filing a slip and fall claim on a cruise?
Most cruise contracts require that you give written notice within 6 months and file suit within 1 year of the incident. Delaying can result in losing your right to compensation. The 6 month notice letter, which is actually a 180 0r 185 day deadline depending on the cruise line, is something you cannot miss. The failure to provide this written notice will be enforced even if you timely file the lawsuit. This is why you need a Miami personal injury lawyer who handles cruise ship accidents.
Do I need a lawyer with maritime experience?
Absolutely. Cruise injury cases are complex and governed by different legal standards than regular personal injury law. You need an experienced maritime injury attorney to navigate these challenges effectively.
How much is my cruise injury claim worth?
Every case is different. Factors like injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and the cruise line’s level of fault influence the potential value. We work to maximize your cruise injury compensation.
Will I have to go to court?
Many cruise ship slip and fall cases settle before trial which is the only time a client would really ever be in court. However, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, so we’re ready to advocate aggressively in court if needed. Most times clients do not need to come to Miami at all.
If you’ve experienced a slip and fall on NCL Prima, you deserve legal guidance from professionals who understand the unique challenges of cruise litigation. Perkins Law Offices in Miami is here to fight for your rights, provide clarity on your legal options, and hold Norwegian Cruise Line accountable. We are the premier cruise injury law firm in Miami.
Call us today or fill out our confidential case form to speak directly with a trusted NCL injury lawyer.
