What began as a relaxing day at sea turned into a powerful reminder of courage and compassion aboard Symphony of the Seas. On June 8, 2025, a terrifying moment unfolded when a large glass panel ofthe ship’s Coastal Kitchen restaurant shattered unexpectedly, but thanks to the swift, selfless actions of one crew member, a potential tragedy was avoided.

That crew member was Nitin Kumar, a waiter who’s now being celebrated across social media as a hero. When Nitin noticed cracks forming in the restaurant’s massive window as the ship was docking in Port Canaveral, he didn’t hesitate. Instead, he sprinted down to the pool deck below, where guests were lounging, and urged them to move immediately.
Just seconds later, the tempered glass shattered, sending pieces down onto the now-empty deck.

“He realized the glass might break and had the area cleared,” one guest recalled. “Not long after, a huge chunk fell. Someone underneath would have been seriously injured or worse.”

Passengers who witnessed the event flooded social media with messages of gratitude, calling Kumar a “legend” and the kind of employee “every company dreams of having.”

“Nitin = Hero of the Seas!”
“He didn’t have to do it. But he did. He saved lives.”
“You are truly an asset to Royal Caribbean.”

A passenger recorded this video when the class panel crashed into the open deck.

But perhaps the most powerful moment came from Nitin himself. Humble and heartfelt, his response captured why his actions meant so much to so many:

“You all are my family. What I did, I did for family. I’m Friendly, Passionate, and Committed and I’m Royal. I learned from this company how to take care of my guests like family.”

Guests are now calling on Royal Caribbean to formally recognize his bravery—with some demanding a promotion, a bonus, or even a company-wide award.

“He didn’t just save lives,” one guest wrote. “He reminded us what real care looks like.”

As crews cleaned up the shattered glass and replaced the window, many couldn’t help but reflect on what might have happened had Nitin not been there, or hadn’t cared enough to intervene. His instincts, his heart, and his training turned a dangerous moment into a story of courage and compassion.

One guest put it best:

“Royal Caribbean is lucky to have him. He didn’t just save lives, he reminded us what real care looks like.”

In a world too often focused on profit and protocol, Nitin Kumar reminded us of humanity.

This wasn’t just a job well done.

This was a life-saving act of heart, honor, and heroism.