Cruise vacations are marketed as safe, family-friendly escapes filled with sun, pools, and relaxation. Yet for many passengers, a hidden danger lies just beneath their feet: the unreasonably hot upper Bolidt decks or decks surrounding cruise ship pools.
At Brais Law, we are representing passengers like J.E., who suffered devastating injuries after removing her sandals and simply stood barefoot on an upper Bolidt deck just long enough to turn her lounge chair toward the sun. Her case against Celebrity Cruises highlights a systemic and ongoing hazard—one that cruise lines know about but refuse to warn of or meaningfully remedy.
The J.E. Case: A Vacation Turned Tragic
In May 2022, while aboard the Celebrity Equinox, J.E. stood on an upper Bolidt deck for between 12 and perhaps 45 seconds. Within moments, the soles of her feet sustained first and second-degree burns. There were no warning signs, no cooling mats, and no shade structures to mitigate the hazard.
The consequences were life-altering. J.E. endured infections, repeated medical treatment, and ultimately four consecutive amputations concluding with a below knee amputation. And her case is far from isolated.
Over Sixty Prior Incidents Show a Clear Pattern
Cruise lines like Celebrity and Royal Caribbean argue that passengers should know decks get hot in the sun—that it is an ‘open and obvious’ condition. But the data tells a very different story. Cruise ship upper decks to not merely get hot but instead get exceedingly hot.
Our investigation uncovered at least 62 documented incidents of foot burns on hot cruise ship decks between 2015 and 2022. The reports reveal troubling consistencies:
- Victims were often standing still—not running, not walking long distances, but simply pausing long enough to adjust a chair, enter a pool, or retrieve sandals.
- Children and elderly passengers are especially vulnerable.
- Injuries range from painful blisters to grievous harm, including amputations.
- Repeated passenger pleas for warnings and safer deck materials have gone ignored.
The V.G. Inspection: Celebrity’s Own Crew Confirms the Danger
Perhaps the most compelling evidence comes from the V.G. inspection video, taken just over one month before J. E’s injury.
Mrs. V.G., who assisted her late husband after his feet were burned and bleeding on a Celebrity ship, was present as Celebrity’s own crew conducted a deck temperature test. Using the ship’s infrared thermometer, crew members recorded deck surface temperatures between 57–60°C (134–140°F) — hotter than many kitchen ovens preheated to low bake settings.
This video, authenticated by Mrs. V. G. who was present during filming, is more than just a recording. It contains admissions by Celebrity’s own personnel that its exposed decks reach dangerously high temperatures under the midday sun. It demonstrates that Celebrity had direct knowledge of the hazard yet failed to act.
Industry experts rely on this type of evidence in their analysis. Far from being speculative, the inspection confirms what passengers have been reporting for years: the decks are unreasonably and dangerously hot.
A Refusal to Act
Despite this well-documented history, Celebrity and other cruise lines continue to use deck materials that absorb and retain extreme heat. They neither provide sufficient warnings nor adopt widely available safety measures such as:
- Installing cooler, non-heat-retaining decking
- Adding shade or misting systems
- Placing mats in high-traffic areas
- Posting clear caution signs during peak sun hours
The result? A recurring cycle of preventable injuries.
Accountability and Passenger Rights
The J.E. case, supported by prior passenger reports and Celebrity’s own inspection video, underscores a broader truth: passengers should not risk serious burns or amputations by assuming cruise lines have selected safe decking materials or warned of all dangers.
At Brais Law, we are committed to holding cruise lines accountable for unsafe conditions at sea. With decades of experience in maritime law, we fight for victims who trusted cruise companies to keep them safe—and were let down.
If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury aboard a cruise ship, you are not alone. These are not isolated accidents, but part of a pattern of negligence. Contact us today to discuss your rights and how we can help.
