Carnival Cruise Line is facing a new maritime personal injury lawsuit after a former guest alleged he suffered significant burns while walking barefoot on the Lido Deck aboard Carnival Magic during a cruise in May 2025.
Jorge Luis Alverio Nunez, a Florida resident, filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida on 11th May 2026, nearly a year after the incident allegedly took place. According to the filing, he is seeking damages exceeding $5 million.
The lawsuit centres on an incident that Nunez says occurred on 21st May 2025, when he walked from the pool area to a nearby lounge chair where his shoes had been left. He claims the distance, described as roughly twenty steps, was enough to cause serious second-degree burns to his feet because the deck surface had become dangerously hot.
Nunez alleges that the injuries resulted in severe pain, hospital treatment, physical disfigurement and ongoing mobility problems. The complaint accuses Carnival of negligence, arguing that the cruise line allowed unsafe conditions to exist and failed to adequately warn passengers about the risk.
The lawsuit does not make clear whether the incident was reported while the voyage was underway or whether treatment was sought onboard at the time. Cruise ships routinely maintain onboard medical facilities capable of handling passenger injuries and medical emergencies.
The filing also claims that crew members failed to take steps that could have prevented the deck surface from reaching unsafe temperatures.
Deck Surface Temperature
A central question in the case is whether the Lido Deck surface actually reached temperatures capable of causing significant burns.
At the time of the alleged incident, Carnival Magic was operating short cruises to destinations across the Bahamas and Caribbean. Typical temperatures in those regions during May generally reach around 29–32°C (mid to upper 80s°F), with some Caribbean areas climbing to around 33–35°C (low 90s°F).
On land, surfaces exposed to direct sunlight can become considerably hotter than the surrounding air temperature. Pavements and similar materials can exceed 40°C (105°F), even when the air temperature itself is lower.
However, conditions aboard cruise ships differ in several ways. Open decks are exposed to regular sea breezes and pool areas often remain damp from passenger activity, factors that can help reduce surface temperatures.
Carnival also uses marine-grade deck materials and non-slip coatings intended to withstand harsh operating environments. These surfaces are designed with heat resistance in mind, although they can still become uncomfortable under intense sunlight.
The lawsuit additionally claims passengers were not sufficiently warned about potential risks from hot deck surfaces. According to the filing, there were no warning signs in place and no verbal announcements advising guests that walking barefoot could present a hazard.
Carnival has periodically displayed warning signage during particularly hot conditions, although Nunez argues such measures have not been consistently implemented.
Passenger Complaints About Hot Decks Have Surfaced Before
The lawsuit argues that concerns about excessively hot deck surfaces are not isolated incidents and claims other guests have suffered similar injuries in the past.
It references one alleged previous case involving severe burn injuries that reportedly led to a passenger requiring an amputation below the knee.
Passenger complaints about hot pool decks have also appeared on social media over recent years.
Carnival also advises guests through its own guidance to wear footwear such as sandals with grip, boat shoes or water shoes to protect their feet while moving around outdoor areas of the ship. Water shoes, however, are not permitted inside pools or whirlpools themselves for safety reasons.
Guests can still leave footwear close by while swimming, provided it does not obstruct walkways or create a hazard.
For context surrounding the injury itself, the Cleveland Clinic defines second-degree burns as a “mild type of burn” that can fully heal in as little as one to three weeks, although recovery times can vary significantly depending on severity and individual circumstances.
Carnival has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the 3,690-guest Carnival Magic continues operating Caribbean itineraries from Miami as scheduled.
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