Just weeks after entering service, guests sailing aboard Legend of the Seas are reporting that two waterslides are already closed. The reports are raising questions about whether the cruise line’s ongoing slide issues have continued onto its newest vessel.
According to passengers currently onboard, two of the six slides inside the ship’s signature Category 6 Waterpark remain out of service. Photos shared online also appear to show visible deformation along sections of two enclosed slide tubes, though Royal Caribbean has not commented on the reported closures.
The reports follow similar waterslide issues aboard Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, making Legend of the Seas the third Icon Class ship where guests have reported slide closures.
Legend of the Seas just debuted on July 4, 2026, with an inaugural Western Mediterranean sailing. The latest Icon Class vessel is scheduled to spend the summer season in Europe before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, later this year.
Guests report two slides remain closed
One passenger who recently disembarked Legend of the Seas shared photos online showing what they described as visible defects in the blue and green waterslides.
“I see there have been a lot of questions about the water slides; we just got off a week-long cruise, and here is the situation. You can see the problem with the naked eye: both the blue and green slides have become deformed and aren’t safe to use—I certainly wouldn’t use them myself until they’re fixed,” the passenger wrote.
“It’s simply a manufacturer’s defect; only one section of the green slide is deformed, whereas half the sections of the blue slide are affected. They won’t open until you see actual repair work getting underway.”
The accompanying photos appear to show sections of the enclosed slide tubes with visible waviness and uneven surfaces compared to neighboring panels.
Additionally, one guest claimed the ship’s Category 6 directional sign listed only the four operating waterslides, omitting Pressure Drop and Storm Surge.
“So, I am on Legend right now and only 4 out of 6 slides are running, ‘until further notice,’” one passenger wrote. “The ones that are running are Hurricane Hunter, the two Storm Chasers and Frightening Bolt.”
The same guest later added that the slides appeared to be functioning mechanically, but passengers were not being permitted to use them.
“The slides themselves are running, they’re just not letting people on. I was getting confusing reasons like ‘the slides are under reconstruction,’” the guest wrote.
Royal Caribbean has not publicly confirmed which two slides are unavailable or explained the reason for the closures.
Divided opinions about Royal Caribbean’s slide saga
The response from cruise passengers has been mixed, with some guests expressing frustration and others defending Royal Caribbean’s decision to keep the slides closed if there are safety concerns.
Several commenters argued that Category 6 is one of the main reasons families book Icon Class ships, particularly given the high price of sailing on Royal Caribbean’s newest vessels.
“People are paying thousands to use these while on board! Very unfair!” one commenter wrote. Another guest added, “Bit concerning when its cost us thousands of pounds to go on this ship!”
Some passengers questioned how a brand-new ship could enter service with apparent defects in one of its most heavily marketed attractions.
“Why did it even launch with defective slides and equipment. It should have never left the yard,” one commenter wrote.
Another called the situation “totally unacceptable on a 3rd generation Icon Class ship,” while others criticized what they described as limited communication from Royal Caribbean. However, many commenters pushed back on the criticism and said safety should take priority over keeping every attraction open.
“Safety first! Personally don’t care for the slides, been on Icon, Star and Legend and didn’t go on a single slide and still had so much fun,” one guest wrote.
Another commenter noted that sailing on a brand-new ship can come with unexpected operational issues.
“Going on a new ship has always been a bit of a risk. Sometimes things do need to be corrected,” the guest wrote. Others argued that two closed slides should not ruin an entire vacation, particularly when four slides and dozens of other attractions remain available onboard.
Similar closures affected Star and Icon of the Seas
The reported closures aboard Legend come after Royal Caribbean cited technical and safety concerns for ongoing slide closures aboard Star of the Seas.
In an email previously obtained by Candid Cruise & Travel, Royal Caribbean’s Executive Office confirmed that several waterslides aboard Star of the Seas remained out of service due to “technical and safety related considerations identified during early operations of the vessel.”
The response was sent to a guest following a March 22–29 sailing, during which multiple slides inside Category 6 were unavailable.
“As with all attractions across our fleet, guest safety and ride reliability are our highest priorities, and an attraction will only be opened once it fully meets Royal Caribbean’s stringent safety and performance standards,” the cruise line said in the email.
Royal Caribbean explained that its shoreside technical teams were working with onboard engineers and ride manufacturers to resolve the issue. The company also denied speculation that the closures were related to fuel costs or other cost-saving measures.
The affected slides aboard Star of the Seas were identified by guests as Storm Surge and Pressure Drop. At the time, Royal Caribbean did not provide a firm reopening date, saying the process involved manufacturer support, testing and certification.
Icon of the Seas waterslide incident led to lawsuit
The Icon Class slide saga first drew widespread attention in August 2025, when a section of the Frightening Bolt waterslide aboard Icon of the Seas shattered while a passenger was riding it.
Video shared online appeared to show part of the acrylic tube breaking during the ride, with water rushing through the damaged section as debris fell away.
Royal Caribbean confirmed that an adult passenger received medical care after acrylic glass broke from the slide while the guest was passing through it. The attraction remained closed while the cruise line investigated the slide’s failure.
The injured guest later filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean, alleging that the company failed to properly maintain the slide and identify possible warning signs before allowing passengers to use it.
Following the incident, Frightening Bolt remained closed aboard Icon of the Seas for several weeks. Royal Caribbean later replaced the acrylic glass section aboard both Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
Category 6 is a major selling point for Icon Class ships
Category 6 is one of the defining attractions aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships. Located within the Thrill Island neighborhood, the waterpark spans multiple decks and includes six waterslides.
Royal Caribbean markets Category 6 as the largest waterpark at sea. Its six attractions include Frightening Bolt, the tallest waterslide at sea; Pressure Drop, a trapdoor free-fall slide; family raft slides Hurricane Hunter and Storm Surge; and the twin Storm Chasers racing slides.
The waterpark’s size and prominent location make it one of the most recognizable features onboard Icon Class ships. For many families, it is also a major factor when choosing to book one of Royal Caribbean’s newest and often most expensive vessels.
