Royal Caribbean closes waterslide on Icon Class ships pending safety checks

Royal Caribbean has temporarily closed a waterslide on its Icon Class ships while safety checks are carried out following a passenger incident on August 7.

The Frightening Bolt waterslide forms part of the world’s largest waterpark at sea on Icon of the Seas and newly launched sister ship Star of the Seas.

The attraction, which is the biggest drop slide at sea at 46 feet tall with a trapdoor launch, is currently not available to passengers on both ships following an incident where a passenger on Icon sustained injuries when one of the acrylic slide panels appeared to break.

It has not been announced when the slide will reopen, and five other slides remain open to the public.

Speaking onboard Star of the Seas, vice-president and managing director for EMEA Gerard Nolan said: “Royal Caribbean, first and foremost, is very much focused on the safety of our guests.

“Everything we do, from how we sail to how we operate is fully focused, and always will be, on their safety.

“It was an unfortunate incident, and I know the guest got very quick treatment and is in a better place. We will make sure the right precautions are in play.

“If we need to pull certain activities until we’re absolutely comfortable, we will, and when they come back on stream, we know they’re absolutely safe.”