MIAMI – A legal battle has erupted against Royal Caribbean after a 35-year-old passenger, Michael Virgil, died during a December 2024 voyage. The lawsuit, filed in Miami federal court by his fiancée, Connie Aguilar, alleges that the cruise line’s negligence in over-serving alcohol and the crew’s subsequent use of excessive force led to the man’s death.

The Incident: Excessive Alcohol and Physical Restraint

According to the legal filing, Virgil was on a roundtrip cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, when crew members on the Navigator of the Seas allegedly served him at least 33 alcoholic beverages. The lawsuit claims that despite showing clear signs of intoxication, Virgil continued to be served until he became disoriented and agitated while searching for his cabin.

The situation escalated when security personnel intervened. The lawsuit alleges that crew members tackled Virgil and applied their full body weight to him in a „prolonged prone restraint.” This physical compression, combined with the administration of a sedative and pepper spray at the captain’s request, reportedly caused respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.

Medical Findings and Evidence

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has officially ruled Virgil’s death a homicide. The autopsy cited a combination of factors:

• Mechanical Asphyxia: Impaired breathing caused by external physical force.

• Contributory Factors: Alcohol intoxication, obesity, and an enlarged heart.

While bystander video captured Virgil behaving aggressively—kicking doors and shouting threats—witnesses also noted the severity of the response. Christopher McHale, a passenger who recorded part of the encounter, stated that while Virgil was agitated, „he just needed some help” and did not deserve to die in that manner.

Allegations of Corporate Negligence

The lawsuit centers on several key claims against Royal Caribbean:

1. Violation of Maritime Law: Carriers are legally obligated to supervise passengers who may pose a danger to themselves or others.

2. Aggressive Alcohol Sales: The filing accuses the cruise line of designing ships to maximize alcohol consumption while failing to train staff on when to cut off intoxicated guests.

3. Inadequate Medical Care: Aguilar alleges that the ship’s medical team lacked the necessary skills and licenses to handle such a critical emergency.

Royal Caribbean, headquartered in Miami, has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations. The plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages and a trial by jury.

Source: Compiled from court filings and Associated Press reports.