ACCIDENT on Mariner of the Seas 03-30-08

[lasolomon]

We left Port Canaveral on the above date. About 2-3 hrs later, I realized I had lost my SeaPass card in the casino. I went to the Deck 5 Customer Service Desk for a new one.

 

On my way back to my stateroom (deck 10), after leaving the Customer Service Desk on Deck 5 and heading to the elevators I attempted to walk across a 'bridge like wooden structure' that is between the elevators. This structure looks 'flat', but it actually has a slight curvature to it. (up-across-down) (See picture in link) This curvature makes the crossing quite dangerous. It is very easy to slip, trip or fall. That is exactly what I did. The next thing I knew, I was on my back in extreme pain and couldn't get up. The crew members could not get me into a wheel chair and had to call for a stretcher.

 

Through x-rays in the infirmary, they found out my left shoulder was severly dislocated and there was a fracture in the bone. Thankfully the ship's doctor was able to get it back into place, put me in a sling and give me pain medication. Naturally me and my husband's long awaited cruise was ruined.

 

The main reason I'm posting this is to find out if anyone either on that trip or at any time have had a problem with this area on the ship. Everyone that saw my arm in a sling asked about it and after hearing what happened, most of them knew the area I was talking about and had some kind of uncomfortable experience with it.

 

I would appreciate any comments that any of you might have about this area, be they pro or con.

 

Happy and SAFE Crusing!

Linda ( Lsolo33166@aol.com )

[azkcruizers]

I'm so sorry about your accident. I can't imagine something like that happening on your vacation. I was on the Mariner in January and I didn't notice anything in that location but I did notice other spots where there would be a tiny step up that you wouldn't expect, and I was worried about my mother falling. I have heard others on the board discussing this as well about the Mariner. Maybe someone else will speak up.

[msmayor]

I can clearly see the curvature just by looking at the railing. It doesn't look like there are any actual steps up, but appears to be just a gentle 'hill' (for lack of a better term)

 

May I ask why you think such a walkway is dangerous? I would think if one was walking at a normal gait it shouldn't be a problem.

[Cruising89143]

This same type area is on the Navigator and I have never had an issue with walking on it. Very easy to navigate for that matter. Sorry for your accident and hope that things get better.

[reallyitsmema]

We saw an older woman fall in that exact spot last June on the Mariner. She mistook a stand that is used to hold velvet ropes they use to rope off areas as a railing and leaned on it and fell hard. The stand also fell over with a loud crash echoing through the whole area. Whether she was off balance from the slight arc of the floor, who knows.

 

She refused to go with the doctor because she wanted to go into dinner since the doors where then open. Whether she ended up seriously injured or not, we never found out. Last we saw, she was limping into the dining room on her daughter's arm.

[shipoflove]

I also have crossed this with no problems whatsoever. Sounds to me that it was just an "accident". :)

[DEIx15x8]

What kind of shoes were you wearing? I've noticed that on the Voyager and Liberty and have to agree that while it is not a big hill it can be very easy to slip, especially if you have dress shoes or pool shoes on.

[Aquahound]

I never thought the wooden walkway was an issue. I'm curious, did you slip because it was slippery, or because of the slight arch? Either way, sorry to hear about your misfortune.

 

The white stairway leading down to the theater....now that one seems dangerous.

[Cruise_Couple]

We have not had any trouble with the "bridge". I am very sorry you got hurt but from your description it really does not sound like it was RCCL's fault in any way. Thousands of passengers cross this structure without incident and if it was unsafe it would not be allowed. Sometimes stuff just happens. I truly do wish you a speedy recovery.

[Travel Angel]

I am sad to hear of your injury, but happy that the infirmary could take care of you and you seemd happy with the services they provided.

 

I have been on this ship a couple times and familiar with the area you are speaking of, but I just dont see where the dangers are, unless something is spilled or shoes being worn do not have good type of grip and could cause a possibly slippage,but the same could occur in other areas of the ship as well. I agree that Royal Caribbean really is not at fault.

[MarciaL]

Sorry for your accident and hope all is well soon.

 

The sad thing is, that so often when on vacation we are looking up. over, or at something rather than where we are actually walking and accidents do happen. We all need to be careful.....

[jeriron]

I saw a woman fall in the same place. This was on our MOS in Feb. When it was mentioned I didn't know where it was until I enlarged the thumb print. Right outside the dining room doors.

[pianomommy]

We actually were on the same sailing as you -- however, I didn't notice any "problem" with that spot on the ship. Well -- actually I did notice that it "went up hill" as I went over it but I was more concerned about the HIGH WINDS and WAVES we were having and the tossing about of the ship with that. On the jogging track you could stand into the wind and lean and not even fall.

[lasolomon]

Just wanted to say thank you so much for your response from my post. I should have added that I had my 'crocs' on and was walking at a normal pace.

 

Thanks for your concern!

 

Happy and SAFE Crusing!

Linda

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

I got hurt on the Mariner, but not there. The Schooner Lounge has a step up to a second level that juts out. I was chasing after Hubby because he always walks so fast and I can't keep up. So I was looking for him to be sure he didn't get so far ahead that I would lose him. And, whoops, I fell flat on my face having tripped right over the place where that step juts out!

 

I got a lot of bruises on my lower legs, but the greatest pain was sheer embarrassment of falling so clumsily in front of the fully packed lounge. I'll say this though. Not one person came to help me up! I guess they just assumed I was some drunk and didn't want anything to do with me. So I managed to get up, brushed myself off and hurried off to once again chase my Hubby. I know my face was red.

 

I do sympathize with the OP's accident. I've since fallen UP the "glass" stairs of the Centrum on the Jewel of the Seas and tripped over our bedspread on Liberty of the Seas narrowing missing the glass coffee table. I confess to being unusually clutzy, though, on cruise ships.

 

LA Solomon, I hope you recover soon.

[Mark_K]

First, sorry for your accident, but things happen sometimes that are really nobody's fault. As the saying goes...that's why they call them accidents.

 

I'm quite familiar with the area and would not consider it to be particularly dangerous at all.

[Marie51]

Sorry to hear about your accident. I fell at the local swimming pool last September and dislocated my shoulder so I know how painful it was. I think you should be thankful the ship doctor was able to help you........otherwise you would have had to be taken off the ship to a local hospital and that would have been a nightmare.

[CMurph]

I have learned to pay attention to the ever changing floor coverings & levels on a cruise ship. I have had a problem wearing new shoes (especially formal, high heels). You are walking along on carpet & suddenly you are on a slick marble or wooden floor. (I realize this wasn't an issue for you since you were wearing crocs). On my most recent cruise, I was in an inside cabin for the first time...didn't leave a light on at night. Woke up (as I do at home) stood up to head for the restroom. TOTALLY disoriented....didn't remember where I was!! Took a couple of steps & fell over my daughter's bed!! When I hear "Oh...Mommmm"!!! I realized where I was. Had a couple of rug burns, but otherwise ok. :eek:

[Sue L]

Actually crocs can be really dangerous on that type of surface, highly polished/varnished because they "stick".

[klfhngr]

We left Port Canaveral on the above date. About 2-3 hrs later, I realized I had lost my SeaPass card in the casino. I went to the Deck 5 Customer Service Desk for a new one.

 

On my way back to my stateroom (deck 10), after leaving the Customer Service Desk on Deck 5 and heading to the elevators I attempted to walk across a 'bridge like wooden structure' that is between the elevators. This structure looks 'flat', but it actually has a slight curvature to it. (up-across-down) (See picture in link) This curvature makes the crossing quite dangerous. It is very easy to slip, trip or fall. That is exactly what I did. The next thing I knew, I was on my back in extreme pain and couldn't get up. The crew members could not get me into a wheel chair and had to call for a stretcher.

 

Through x-rays in the infirmary, they found out my left shoulder was severly dislocated and there was a fracture in the bone. Thankfully the ship's doctor was able to get it back into place, put me in a sling and give me pain medication. Naturally me and my husband's long awaited cruise was ruined.

 

The main reason I'm posting this is to find out if anyone either on that trip or at any time have had a problem with this area on the ship. Everyone that saw my arm in a sling asked about it and after hearing what happened, most of them knew the area I was talking about and had some kind of uncomfortable experience with it.

 

I would appreciate any comments that any of you might have about this area, be they pro or con.

 

Happy and SAFE Crusing!

Linda ( Lsolo33166@aol.com )

 

 

Can I give you my business card???

[TEXASMUNK]

Just based on the key words of the OP, this smells like a fishing expedition for a lawsuit.

Looking for corroborating stories.

[lasolomon]

Just wanted to say I'm a very 'sure footed' person and that was not the problem, and I also wanted to say that I have had so many wonderful trips on RCCL with my family, but I do believe that this area should be addressed at least with a warning sign or something letting people know that this area is a little bit different walking across........especiallly when it looks soooooo flat..!

 

Happy and SAFE Crusing!

Linda

[coffeebean]

I can clearly see the curvature just by looking at the railing. It doesn't look like there are any actual steps up, but appears to be just a gentle 'hill' (for lack of a better term)

 

May I ask why you think such a walkway is dangerous? I would think if one was walking at a normal gait it shouldn't be a problem.[/quote]

 

I had difficulty just about every time I walked on this area on the Mariner and her sister ships also. I would lose my footing and nearly lose my balance and I'm not elderly. It's a bad design for sure.

[emdia43]

It is a bridge, I have walked across it without problem. Anyone paying attention can see it has a gradient.

[wrp96]

I've never had an issue with that area - and I'm an absolute klutz (I've had to visit the infirmary on multiple cruises).