Royal Caribbean's Stock Rises 0.47% Despite 24.33% Volume Drop to 440M Ranking 231st as Safety Incident Tests Investor Confidence

Royal Caribbean (RCL) closed with a 0.47% gain on August 11, 2025, despite a 24.33% drop in trading volume to $0.44 billion, ranking it 231st in market activity. The stock's performance follows a safety incident involving its flagship Icon of the Seas cruise ship, where a 14-meter-tall water slide sustained a broken acrylic panel during operation. The incident, which occurred on August 7, resulted in a passenger sustaining severe cuts from jagged edges of the slide. Royal Caribbean confirmed the water slide was immediately closed for the remainder of its journey, with an investigation underway. The company emphasized its commitment to safety protocols, including rigorous cleaning procedures exceeding public health guidelines, though no further updates were provided post-incident.

Additional reports highlighted recurring issues with acrylic glass components aboard Royal Caribbean vessels. A separate incident in June 2025 saw a glass panel crack in the Coastal Kitchen, narrowly avoiding injury to guests. Crew member Nitin Kumar was recognized for alerting passengers to a potential hazard, underscoring ongoing concerns about material durability. The Frightening Bolt slide, a key attraction on the Icon of the Seas, is manufactured by Wiegand.Waterrides using glass fiber-reinforced plastic. While the company has not disclosed causes for these failures, the incidents may test investor confidence in operational safety and maintenance standards.

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