Passengers Panic After Hole Opens On World's Largest Cruise Ship Waterslide

A passenger suffered injuries after riding a damaged waterslide aboard the Icon of the Seas.

This Royal Caribbean cruise liner is the largest ship in the world, capable of carrying up to 7,600 guests at full capacity.

Even though it only began sailing in January 2024, the ship has already been at the center of several troubling incidents — one of which was a fatal accident.

In May 2024, a tragic event occurred when a man jumped more than 80 feet from the massive vessel while it was about 300 miles from Port Miami.

Speaking to The New York Post at the time, Royal Caribbean stated: "The ship's crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort alongside the US Coast Guard, who have taken over the search."

"Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest's family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share."

Now, in a separate and alarming incident, another passenger has reportedly been left “sliced open” after using a faulty waterslide.

The man had been riding the ship’s Frightening Bolt slide on August 7 when a section of the slide cracked, leaving behind a sharp, jagged edge. According to The Telegraph, the passenger sustained cuts to both his back and legs.

Royal Caribbean later confirmed that the injured person was an adult male.

A spokesperson for the cruise line told Fox 59: "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."

"The water slide is closed for the remainder of the sailing pending an investigation."

In a further statement to UNILAD, another Royal Caribbean spokesperson emphasized: "The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority. To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines."

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Fellow passengers managed to capture footage of the damaged slide, which showed water streaming out through a noticeable crack.

In one video filmed right after the accident, someone can be heard exclaiming “Oh my god,” while others shouted warnings up to the top of the ride, urging people not to go down it.

"Stop the slide!" they yelled.

Another passenger explained in their video that the slide was located on the ship’s 16th deck. A close-up revealed a sizeable hole in the structure.

Later footage showed members of the ship’s staff placing a tarp over the damaged section of the waterslide to block it off from use.