Fiancée Sues Royal Caribbean Over Passenger’s Death on Navigator of the Seas

In a lawsuit filed last week, the fiancée of a 35‑year‑old cruise passenger claims that Royal Caribbean’s crew served more than 33 alcoholic drinks to Michael Virgil before security used excessive force, leading to his death on the Navigator of the Seas in December 2024.

Lawsuit Overview

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where Royal Caribbean is headquartered. The suit alleges that Virgil, who opted into the cruise line’s all‑inclusive drinks package, was served over two dozen drinks starting mid‑morning and that crew members negligently continued to serve him at least 33 beverages after his cabin was delayed.

The Incident

Connie Aguilar and Virgil, aged 35, were on a round‑trip voyage from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, with family members, including their 7‑year‑old son, when Virgil died in December 2024. The couple boarded the Navigator of the Seas from San Pedro on the morning of Dec. 13, 2024, for a four‑day cruise. After a delay in cabin readiness, the family was directed to a bar area with live music. Virgil’s son, who has autism, grew impatient and joined his mother to check the cabin’s status, leaving Virgil behind. Within hours of leaving the port, the suit alleges crew members served Virgil at least 33 alcoholic beverages.

In an intoxicated state, Virgil reportedly became lost while searching for his room and became agitated. Video taken by another passenger shows him shirtless, yelling in a hallway and kicking a door, and it appears to capture the confrontation with security personnel. Security tackled Virgil, held him to the ground with full body weight, and subjected him to prolonged restraint that compressed his back and impaired breathing. At the captain’s request, he was also injected with the sedative haloperidol and sprayed with pepper spray.

Investigation and Corporate Response

The FBI is investigating the death of the 35‑year‑old passenger. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, citing mechanical asphyxia, obesity, an enlarged heart, and alcohol intoxication as contributing factors. Virgil’s body was refrigerated aboard the ship for the remainder of the cruise, which returned to Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 2024.

Royal Caribbean’s 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.”

Key Takeaways

• The lawsuit alleges excessive alcohol service and force contributed to Virgil’s death.
• Security used haloperidol, pepper spray, and prolonged restraint.
• The FBI and medical examiner are investigating, and the company has declined to comment beyond a statement of sadness.

The case seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial, and it highlights maritime common law obligations for carriers to supervise passengers who may pose danger to themselves or others.