The Norwegian Aqua is Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship. It’s has a modern, sleek and hip look with many unique amenities and features like a clear glass outdoor walkway over the water that wraps around the entire ship on Deck 8, and the Aqua Slidecoaster which is part water slide, part rollercoaster. But one surprising thing Norwegian did not improve upon when they had a chance, was the slippery nature of the pool deck flooring materials. All the cruise ships from all the major lines are notorious for slip and fall injuries. In particular, on pool decks, also commonly referred to as the “lido” deck. But alarmingly, we are already hearing that many people are slipping and falling on Norwegian Aqua’s pool deck, even though at the time of writing this article, it has only been in operation for 2 months! Aqua’s maiden voyage was in April 2025, and we already have 2 cruise passengers that are now clients after slipping and falling on Norwegian Aqua’s pool deck. One of our clients slipped and fell breaking her wrist on the first day of her cruise before the ship even left port. She had to undergo surgery with plates and screw implantation. This was only the Aqua’s second voyage. Another client was on the very next voyage and he slipped and fell nearly in the same spot on the same type of flooding on the pool deck and he tore his hamstring.
On Norwegian Aqua, the main pool is on Deck 17. Its great looking deck compared to most older ships. It’s color pallet is warm and looks more high end with of whites and beiges as opposed to bright and flashy colors. But despite its sleek look and clean lines, it makes me think that some of the decking may be of a new flooring material that either is unsuitable or manufactured or installed improperly. In particular, the off-white colored areas right near the pool where my clients slipped and fell.
As a cruise ship injury lawyer, in order to get compensation for my clients against the cruise, I must prove liability and damages. Liability in a slip and fall is all about showing the cruise line was negligent and that’s what led to my client’s injury. In other words, in order for the cruise line to be at fault, it must have done something unreasonable in the maintenance or operation of the vessel. The cruise line is not the guarantor of every passengers safety. We have to show the injury was caused by a dangerous condition on the ship that the cruise line did not do enough to prevent it. This is especially true where the cruise line creates the dangerous condition, like selecting and installing an unsuitable floor material for the intended purpose of being outside and constantly getting wet, either from weather or people in wet bathings suits.
Federal maritime law governs negligence on navigable waters and provides that “an owner of a ship in navigable waters owes to all who are on board … of exercising reasonable care under the circumstances of each case .” See Kermarec v. Compagnie Generale Transatlantique , 358 U.S. 625, 632, (1958); Tittle v. Aldacosta , 533 F.2d 752 (5 th Cir. 1977); Everett v. Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc. , 912 F.2d 1355, 1358 (11 th Cir. 1990). This duty of reasonable care requires that Carnival maintain its vessel, including the floors, in a reasonably safe condition. This duty includes keeping the floors dry, clean and free of any foreign substance. Also, there is a duty to warn passengers of dangerous conditions on the vessel. A cruise line must warn passengers of those dangers that “the cruise line knows or reasonably should have known,” and “which are not apparent and obvious to the passenger.” See Smolnokar, 787 F.Supp.2d at 1315 (citations omitted).
So in slip and fall cases like this on Norwegian Aqua , the cruise ship injury lawyer must show that the cruise line knew or should have known of the dangerous condition. This is called “notice” and there are two types, actual notice and constructive notice. So how do I prove the pool deck on the Norwegian Aqua are dangerously slippery and that Norwegian Cruise Line knew or should have kn0wn about the dangerousness. Well, one way is by showing other similar incidents that happened before my clients’ slip and falls. This can be difficult to information to uncover, especially before we actually file a lawsuit and have access to a discovery exchange.
In order to prove “notice” I will utilize other similar incidents. I already have two clients who slipped and fell on Norwegian Aqua, so at least there is notice to the cruise line that the first one happened. Another way is the online chatter which shows that many cruise passengers on these maiden voyages were complaining about Norwegian Aqua’a slippery pool deck. Another way I know is by looking at photos online of the deck. Even though it’s a new ship there is evidence that tends to show NCL knows the pool deck is slippery because they have this yellow caution signs out all of the time as seen in the below photos. Hopefully, Norwegian will do the right thing by making the floor safer and negotiating in good faith on my client’ personal injury claims.
Wet Floor Sign Slip and Fall On Norwegian Aqua Pool Deck From Cruise Injury Lawyer
Wet Floor Sign On Norwegian Aqua Pool Deck From Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer
The Aqua was launched by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) as the first vessel in the Prima Plus Class, setting sail in April 2025:
- Size and Capacity: Norwegian Aqua measures 1,056 feet (321.8 meters) in length with a gross tonnage of 156,300 tons, making it 10% larger than its Prima Class sister ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. It can accommodate 3,571 passengers at double occupancy, with a maximum capacity of 4,224 passengers when all cabins are fully occupied. The ship is served by 1,388 crew members, providing a space ratio of approximately 37 gross tons per passenger (improving to 44.4 when not at full capacity). It features 20 decks, with 16 accessible to passengers and 9 containing cabins, totaling 1,760 staterooms across 36 categories.
Slip and fall on Norwegian Aqua? My law firm was built to take on the major cruise lines based in Miami. Cruise ship personal injuries have consequences that can extend far beyond a ruined vacation. Victims are often left with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and unanswered questions about their legal rights. At Perkins Law Offices, we provide comprehensive legal representation to individuals injured aboard cruise ships, including those hurt in slip and fall accidents on Norwegian Cruise Line vessels.
Understanding the Legal Landscape of Cruise Ship Injuries
Cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Lines operate under a unique set of laws known as maritime law. Unlike accidents that happen on land, a slip and fall on Norwegian Aqua can be governed by various different law depending on the location of the injury, the ports visited and the nationality of the passenger. It a complicated maze federal maritime statutes and case law, international treaties like the Athens Convention, and of course the strict terms of the cruise ticket contract itself that imposes all kinds of limitations and waivers. This makes pursuing compensation especially complex, and it underscores the importance of having an experienced maritime injury attorney on your side like the cruise ship injury lawyer Alex Perkins and his Miami law firm.
A Norwegian Aqua slip and fall accident may involve multiple layers of liability, including the ship’s operator, its employees, and even third-party contractors. For example injuries can happen on excursions and tenders where passengers are transferred to and from the ship. Identifying the responsible party is key to building a strong claim and there are strategies that only the best cruise ship injury lawyers would know to employ.
Slip and Fall on Norwegian Aqua: Legal Guidance from Perkins Law Offices
Common Causes of Slip and Falls on Norwegian Aqua
While every incident is unique, most cruise ship injury Norwegian Aqua cases we handle involve predictable and preventable hazards, including:
- Wet or slippery pool decks without warning signs
- Poorly maintained walkways
- Loose carpeting or tile
- Transitions between different types of flooring
- Worn out anti skid tape
- Food or drink spills not promptly cleaned up
- Inadequate lighting in stairwells or hallways
- Slippery stairs
- Steep stairs
- Loose or unloved thresholds
- Wet bathing suits
- Improper cleaners and chemicals
- Falling ceilings
- Sunblock on floor
- Overcrowding
- Dropped food
- Unsuitable tile
- Slippery gangways during embarkation or disembarkation
- Steep gangways
- Tender boat flooring material
- Rough seas
- Over serving alcohol
- Mopping floors
- Polishing floors
- Slippery dance floors
- Bath mats
Each of these conditions can create a dangerous environment for passengers and result in a Norwegian Aqua safety incident that leads to lasting physical damage.
Proving Norwegian Cruise Line Negligence
Under maritime law cruise operators like NCL, owe a legal duty to passengers to exercise reasonable care in the operation and maintenance of the cruise ship. If that duty is breached and a passenger suffers a slip and fall on Norwegian Aqua cruise ship due to the cruise line failing to exercise reasonable care, the cruise line may be held liable for damages to the passenger. Proving cruise ship negligence in a slip and fall requires a showing that the hazard existed long enough that the crew should have known about it and taken steps to fix it.
In practice, this can mean uncovering evidence such as other similar incidents, surveillance footage, cleaning logs, and witness statements to establish liability. At Perkins Law Offices, we move quickly to gather information about the slip and fall incident aboard the Norwegian Aqua to build a viable case on behalf of our injured clients. Once you sign our Agreement for Representation which is a contingency fee contract (no fees unless we win money for you) that we send to you via email and can be signed electronically, we will send our Notice and Preservation letter. The cruise line ticket terms and conditions require a notice letter to be sent to the cruise line within 6 months of the incident, otherwise you are not permitted to file a lawsuit. Our 6 month notice letter will not only put NCL on notice of the intent to make a claim, we ask it to provide and preserve certain key pieces of evidence. We will then collect medical records, bills and other information in order to evaluate the claim and make a demand on the cruise line. If NCL does not settle it the injury claim presuit, we will file a lawsuit within one year of the incident as that is the statute of limitations.
Injuries We Commonly See in Slip and Fall Cruise Ship Cases
Victims of Norwegian Aqua passenger injury accidents often suffer:
- Fractured hips, wrists, or ankles
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal injuries
- Torn ligaments and soft tissue damage
- Chronic pain and reduced mobility
- Knee injuries
These injuries can result in long-term disability, the need for surgery, and permanent changes in quality of life. The emotional and financial toll can is compensable.
What to Do If You Slip and Fall on Norwegian Aqua Pool Deck or Anywhere Else on the Ship
If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall on Norwegian Cruise Line, taking the right steps immediately after your injury is crucial. In no particular order you should do the following:
- Report the incident to ship staff and request an official accident report be taken, You are not entitled to copy of their report but try to snap a picture of it if you can. Do not let them blame you on the form. There is often a
- Seek medical attention onboard and document all treatment.
- Gather evidence: take photos of the scene. record witness contact info.
- Do not sign anything without reading it including any incident reports or statements. Definitely don’t sign anything waiving your rights to being a legal claim.
- Contact a cruise ship accident lawyer as soon as possible like Perkins Law Offices.
You may only have a short window ( just one year) to file a claim due to contractual limitations in the cruise ticket.
How Perkins Law Offices Can Help
Attorney Alex Perkins has years of experience representing victims of cruise ship accidents. We know the tactics used by major cruise lines and their insurers to reduce or deny valid claims. Our firm will:
- Conduct a full investigation into your injury
- Secure necessary documentation and medical records
- Determine all liable parties
- File your claim within the correct legal venue (often federal court in Miami)
- Negotiate aggressively for cruise injury compensation or take your case to trial if needed
If you’re asking, “Can I sue a cruise ship for injury?” — the answer is yes, under the right legal conditions. And we’re here to help you do it properly.
Real-Life Example: Holding Norwegian Accountable
In a recent case, a passenger slipped near the pool deck due to an unmarked wet surface. Surveillance footage revealed that the area hadn’t been cleaned for hours and lacked proper signage. Our team at Perkins Law Offices was able to obtain a cruise ship injury settlement that covered medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Why Location Matters: Miami Jurisdiction
Norwegian Cruise Line is headquartered in Miami, and their ticket contracts require lawsuits for personal injuries on voyages that touch a US port to be filed in Miami in federal court. That’s why working with a Miami cruise ship injury attorney is essential. We are based in Miami and have extensive experience litigating in this jurisdiction. We are located down the street from the United State District Court for the Southern District as well as PortMiami.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is my case worth if I suffered a slip and fall on Norwegian Aqua?
Each case varies, but compensation may include medical bills, insurance liens, future treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
How long do I have to file a claim against Norwegian Cruise Line?
Most cruise contracts limit the time to file a lawsuit to one year, and require written notice of your claim within six months. Act quickly.
Will I need to go to court or travel to Miami?
Usually No Court appearance is necessary as most claims eventually settle outside of court. Many cruise ship slip and fall lawsuits settle before trial. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to court to maximize leverage.
What if I didn’t report the fall while on board?
Failure to report can make a claim more difficult, but not impossible. Call us to review your options.
Can I file a claim if I live outside of Florida?
Yes. We represent injured cruise passengers from all over the world. Most claims against Norwegian Cruise Line must be filed in Miami regardless of where the passenger resides.
Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer Near You
If you or a loved one suffered a slip and fall on Norwegian Aqua, don’t leave your future to chance. The legal process can be daunting, especially when facing a billion-dollar cruise line. Let Perkins Law Offices guide you through it. Alex Perkins is standing by and will always talk to his clients. We treat you like a member of our family.
Call us now for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Perkins Law Offices – Fighting for injured cruise passengers with knowledge, experience, and results.
Contact Us Today or call(305) 741-5297
