A passenger injured during a jet ski excursion at Royal Caribbean's private island has filed a lawsuit seeking damages of more than $5 million.
Jessica Haro was sailing aboard Icon of the Seas when she participated in a beginner-level jet ski excursion at Perfect Day at CocoCay on December 20, 2024, the last day of the 7-night cruise, reported Cruise Hive.
Haro joined 12 other passengers and two guides for the excursion. However, things took a turn for the worse during the activity.
She claimed she suffered four spinal fractures and extensive internal injuries after being hit by one of the guides at high speed. According to Haro, some injuries are permanent and require extra medical expenses.
Because of the extent of her injuries, Haro and her attorney, Justin Shapiro of Lessfield & Partners in Miami, filed a federal lawsuit against Royal Caribbean on February 10, 2025.
“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," reads the suit.
“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."
The suit further reveals that Haro didn't have much experience operating a personal watercraft.
However, she "...decided to book the guided jet ski excursion based on [Royal Caribbean’s] effort in marketing the excursion as being ideal for novice operators and that no experience operating a personal watercraft was necessary.”
Jet skiing is a popular activity in the Bahamas
Royal Caribbean offers jet ski tours at its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Since it is a private destination, there are no third-party operators to go through.
According to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner, the "Wave Jet Guided Tour" is a one-hour and fifteen-minute excursion where guests can ride alone or with a passenger.
Each Seadoo can accommodate up to two passengers with a maximum combined weight of 375 lbs. The minimum age to drive a jet ski is 16, while passengers must be at least 10 years old.
"Beginners welcome - experienced guides will provide instructions and safety briefs to prepare you and your driver for the action," reads the tour's description.
The excursion's details also warn guests not to consume alcohol before the tour, and passengers "with cardiac conditions, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, other heart or respiratory conditions, or any other medical condition must take particular caution when selecting an activity with snorkeling/swimming elements since such water activities could be subject to adverse sea conditions such as high winds, waves, and sea current."
It's not recommended for pregnant guests, either.
All passengers who willingly decide to book and participate in Royal Caribbean's jet ski excursion must wear life jackets and complete liability waivers releasing the company and its employees from actions “arising from any accident [or] injury” concerning the “rental, participation, use, or operation of” a jet ski."
Not the first jet ski incident at CocoCay
Years before CocoCay became Perfect Day at CocoCay, a passenger sailing on the now-scrapped Monarch of the Seas was also injured while jet skiing at the private island.
In 2013, claimant Linda Arnold filed a suit and a complaint for damages, alleging that Royal Caribbean was liable for the injuries she suffered during a jet-ski collision while visiting the island in 2011.
Arnold and her boyfriend, Glynn Daniels, began to slow down on their jet ski after catching up to the ski ahead of theirs. However, Arnold and Daneisl were struck by a jet ski operated by another passenger, and Arnold suffered injuries as a result of the accident.
Royal Caribbean sought to limit its liability due to the liability waiver; however, a United States District judge ruled the waiver was void due to provisions that limited liability for personal injuries caused by negligence.
