Royal Caribbean passenger who died on board cruise ship was served 33 drinks, lawsuit claims

A 35-year-old California man who died aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship final 12 months was served a minimum of 33 alcoholic drinks on the ship’s bar, his household claims in a lawsuit.

Michael Virgil of Moreno Valley boarded the Navigator of the Seas in Los Angeles on Dec. 13, 2024, along with his fiancée, Connie Aguilar, and their son, in accordance with court docket paperwork filed in Miami, Florida, the place the cruise firm is predicated.

As they had been on their approach to Ensenada, Mexico, Royal Caribbean crew members “negligently” overserved Virgil “in a matter of hours” whereas he exhibited apparent indicators of intoxication, the lawsuit alleges.

Whereas intoxicated, Virgil tried to seek out his cabin room, acquired misplaced and have become agitated, the lawsuit states. Virgil was then confronted by Royal Caribbean safety members who allegedly tackled him to the bottom and subdued him “with their full physique weight,” the plaintiff’s lawsuit claims.

Royal Caribbean crew members additionally allegedly injected Haloperidol, a prescription remedy used to deal with psychotic issues, into Virgil on the request of the ship’s captain. A number of cans of pepper spray had been additionally used on him, Aguilar’s attorneys declare.

The daddy “finally died within the care of Royal Caribbean employees and crew members,” the lawsuit states.

In an announcement to CBS Information, a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson mentioned, “We had been saddened by the passing of one among our company, labored with authorities on their investigation, and can chorus from commenting any additional on pending litigation.”

The attorneys famous within the lawsuit that Royal Caribbean had the correct to refuse alcohol service to anybody who was visibly intoxicated, however alleged that the corporate failed to take action to guard Virgil’s life. In addition they declare the cruise line intentionally markets its “all you’ll be able to drink” beverage packages to passengers and ensures there is a bar in “each nook and cranny” of the Navigator of the Seas.

Along with negligence claims within the alleged overservice of alcohol, Aguilar’s attorneys additionally declare Royal Caribbean is negligent within the hiring and coaching of its crew members — together with medical and safety personnel — alleging they contributed to Virgil’s demise.

The incident is the second lawsuit in latest months towards Royal Caribbean involving a demise and the consumption of alcohol. A 66-year-old girl, Dulcie White, went overboard throughout a Taylor Swift-themed cruise on Oct. 22, 2024, after the ship’s crew saved serving her alcohol regardless of indicators of utmost intoxication, her household claimed in a lawsuit filed in October. 

The lawsuit additionally cited Royal Caribbean’s limitless alcoholic drinks package deal. “Due to that (drink package deal), [she] did overdo it, making an attempt to perhaps get her cash’s value,” her daughter Megan Klewin mentioned. “She was fully intoxicated in a manner I have never seen earlier than. It saddens me that that’s my final reminiscence of her.”