Cruise passenger died after 'being served 33 drinks' on family holiday with 'unimaginably tragic end'
A cruise passenger died after allegedly being served 33 alcoholic drinks in one day while onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, his family have claimed.
Michael Virgil passed away while on board the Navigator of the Seas, which was travelling from Los Angeles to Mexico in December 2024.
His family have now launched a lawsuit in response to Michael's death, with his 35-year-old fiancée, Connie Aguilar, filing a wrongful death complaint in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, accusing the cruise line of being responsible for his death.
The suit claims that Michael was overserved drinks before being subjected to 'excessive use of force' by crew.
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The incident allegedly occurred after the family waited in one of the ship's bars until their room was ready.
While Connie headed to the room with their son, the suit claims that staff served Michael 33 drinks, after which he became frustrated that he was unable to locate his cabin.
It is reported that Michael was tackled by crew members, restrained and 'compressed'.
The complaint said: "Decedent became agitated. Royal Caribbean crew members, including security personnel, approached decedent in an attempt to subdue him.
"Royal Caribbean crew members, including security personnel, then tackled decedent to the ground, stood on decedent’s body with their full weight, and compressed decedent’s body, causing decedent to stop moving."
The complaint alleges that crew members used cans of pepper spray to subdue Virgil and claims that they also injected him with a sedative.
The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner ruled his death to be a homicide caused by the 'combined effects of mechanical asphyxia, obesity, cardiomegaly and ethanol intoxication'.
The report also said the injury occurred from 'body compression during restraint by multiple ship security personnel' as well as 'ingestion of ethanol'.
"Michael’s family has suffered unimaginable heartache and torment caused by Royal Caribbean, a mega cruise line that prioritizes profit over passenger safety," said Kevin Haynes of Kherkher Garcia law firm.
"Crew members, including security and medical personnel, are required to undergo rigorous competency training; it is very clear that Royal Caribbean is completely negligent in the hiring, training and supervision of its vast fleet of maritime employees.
"What was supposed to be a beautiful family vacation came to an unimaginably tragic end due to the reprehensible way the situation – that should have never occurred – was handled."
Meanwhile, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Fox News Digital: "We were saddened by the passing of one of our guests, worked with authorities on their investigation, and will refrain from commenting any further on pending litigation."
LADbible Group has also reached out to Royal Caribbean for comment.
Lucy Devine