A passenger is suing Royal Caribbean over a jet ski accident at its CocoCay private resort.
Jessica Haro suffered spinal fractures and internal injuries from the accident, in December 2024, some of which she says are permanent and will require additional medical expenses.
Lawyers acting for Ms Haro filed a lawsuit this week seeking damages of more than €5 million, including legal fees, Cruise Hive reports.
The accident happened on Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay resort on 20 December, the last day of Icon of the Seas’ seven-night roundtrip from Miami.
Ms Haro and 12 other passengers joined two guides for a jet ski excursion described as safe for beginners. She says she was hit by one of the guides on jet skis at high speed, causing the injuries.
The lawsuit, issued by a Miami attorney, said: “In the course of the jet ski tour, Royal Caribbean’s tour guide, who was hired to protect Ms Haro, suddenly and recklessly crashed his jet ski into the rear of Ms Haro’s jet ski at a high rate of speed while trying to pass her.
“The tour guide ultimately drove his jet ski over the top of Ms Haro’s jet ski, causing a violent impact with Ms Haro’s body.”
It adds Ms Haro booked the excursion based on the description that it was ‘ideal for novices and that no experience operating a personal watercraft was necessary’.
Passengers who take part in jet ski excursions at CocoCay have to wear life jackets and sign a liability waiver against actions arising from accident or injury. However, Cruise Hive reports a judge in a similar lawsuit in 2013, taken out by a Royal Caribbean passenger at CocoCay, ruled the waiver was void due to provisions limiting liability for personal injuries caused by negligence.
Cruise Hive added that, despite the lawsuits, ‘jet ski accidents are very uncommon at CocoCay, which sees over 2.5 million guests each year’.
A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on pending litigation.”
