Fiancée Sues Royal Caribbean Over Passenger’s Death on Cruise

The fiancée of a 35‑year‑old passenger who died on a Royal Caribbean cruise has filed a wrongful‑death suit, alleging the ship’s crew over‑served him and that security’s excessive force caused his death. The lawsuit was filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where the cruise company is headquartered.

The Voyage and the Fatal Incident

Connie Aguilar and 35‑year‑old Michael Virgil were on a round‑trip voyage from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, with other family members, including their son, at the time of Virgil’s death in December 2024, according to court documents. The couple boarded the Navigator of the Seas from San Pedro on the morning of Dec. 13, 2024 for a four‑day cruise, the lawsuit said. Virgil had opted in to Royal Caribbean’s all‑inclusive drinks package and was served more than two dozen drinks by crew members, starting at about mid‑morning.

Allegations of Over‑Service

When their cabin room wasn’t ready upon embarkation, the family was directed to a bar area with live music, attorneys for Virgil’s fiancée said in a statement. After some time waiting, Virgil’s then 7‑year‑old son, who has autism, grew impatient and went with his mother to check the cabin’s status, leaving Virgil behind. Within hours of leaving the port, the suit alleges crew members negligently served Virgil at least 33 alcoholic beverages. In an intoxicated state, Virgil got lost trying to find his room and became agitated, the lawsuit states.

Confrontation with Security

Video taken by another passenger shows Virgil shirtless, yelling in a hallway and kicking a door. The footage also appeared to show the confrontation with security personnel. According to the lawsuit, security personnel tackled Virgil and held him to the ground with their full body weight, subjecting him to prolonged restraint, compressing his back and impairing his ability to breathe. At the captain’s request, he also was administered an injection of the sedative haloperidol and sprayed with pepper spray, the lawsuit said.

Investigation and Medical Findings

The FBI is investigating the death of a 35‑year‑old passenger last week aboard a cruise ship that had set sail from San Pedro. Alex Rozier reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2024. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled Virgil’s death a homicide. It said Virgil died from the combined effects of mechanical asphyxia, obesity, an enlarged heart and alcohol intoxication. Mechanical asphyxia is when physical force or an object interferes with breathing.

Body Handling and Return

Virgil’s body was refrigerated aboard the ship for the remainder of the cruise, which returned to Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 2024, according to the lawsuit. The ship’s crew reportedly maintained the refrigeration until the vessel docked.

Royal Caribbean’s Response

A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson said, “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,” in a statement. The spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit’s allegations.

Legal Basis and Damages

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial. Maritime common law requires carriers like Royal Caribbean to “supervise and assist passengers likely to engage in behavior dangerous to themselves or others,” the lawsuit said. The suit also claims Royal Caribbean failed to exercise its right to stop serving alcohol to Virgil to protect his life.

Negligence in Alcohol Service

The lawsuit alleges that crew members should not have served him alcohol because he “exhibited obvious visual signs of intoxication” and were negligent for doing so. It further asserts that the ship’s policies did not adequately address the situation.

Shortcomings in Medical Oversight

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that medical personnel on board lacked proper education, licenses, experience and skills and failed to properly train crew members to assess when to stop serving a passenger.

Potential Industry Impact

The case underscores the legal responsibilities of cruise operators when passengers become intoxicated and the potential consequences of inadequate oversight. The outcome of the lawsuit will likely influence future policies on alcohol service and passenger safety on cruise ships.

Key Takeaways

• The lawsuit claims crew over‑served 33 drinks to the deceased passenger.
• Security’s excessive force, including restraint and sedation, is alleged to have caused death.
• The case may shape future cruise‑ship alcohol and safety protocols.

The lawsuit remains pending, and its resolution could set a new standard for how cruise lines manage passenger intoxication and security interventions.