Royal Caribbean is facing fresh backlash after passengers on two of its newest ships reported that major water park attractions were shut down without warning, sparking complaints across social media and travel forums.
According to Fox News, guests sailing on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas—both known for their massive “Category 6” water parks—say multiple slides have been out of service for extended periods. Some passengers claim as many as four slides were closed at once, limiting access to one of the ships’ most heavily marketed features.
Royal Caribbean has since confirmed that “a few slides are closed… for maintenance,” but did not specify how long the outages have lasted.
Frustration has been especially loud online, where travelers have questioned why they weren’t notified before boarding. “This is something that should be disclosed prior to sailing,” one passenger wrote, while another added, “They advertise the slides on these ships… it’s really a bad look.”
Others described long wait times at the few attractions that remained open, with one guest reporting waiting more than an hour for limited access.
The closures hit at the core of what makes these ships stand out. Icon of the Seas, which launched in 2024, and Star of the Seas, which followed in 2025, were designed as floating entertainment hubs.
Their Thrill Island neighborhoods—spanning more than 17,000 square feet—feature six water slides each and are a centerpiece of the onboard experience.
While Royal Caribbean has said the current shutdowns are unrelated, concerns about water slide safety date back to an August 2025 incident aboard Icon of the Seas.
At the time, acrylic glass broke off a slide mid-ride, injuring a passenger. “Our team provided medical care to an adult guest when acrylic glass broke off a water slide,” a spokesperson said, adding that the attraction was closed “for the remainder of the sailing pending an investigation.”
The latest complaints arrive as the company is already navigating scrutiny from a separate legal battle. In a recent lawsuit, the family of Michael Virgil alleged he was served more than 30 alcoholic drinks aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise before dying following a confrontation with crew members.
The case, which has drawn national attention, includes claims of “over-service” and improper handling of passengers by staff.
