Cruise passenger died after ‘being served 33 drinks by ship’s bar’

The family of a man who died on a cruise ship after allegedly being served 33 alcoholic drinks in a day have launched a lawsuit and are seeking a trial.

Michael Virgil died on board the Royal Caribbean vessel Navigator of the Seas while on a cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico in December 2024, and had been travelling with his fiancée, son and other family members.

The 35-year-old's fiancée, Connie Aguilar, has filed a complaint accusing the cruise line of being responsible for his death, claiming that on the day he died he was served a lot of alcohol and physically subdued by cruise ship staff.

USA Today reports that Virgil was allegedly served 33 alcoholic drinks on the day he died, and then got lost when attempting to return to his cabin.

The complaint said: "Decedent became agitated. Royal Caribbean crew members, including security personnel, approached decedent in an attempt to subdue him.

A 35-year-old man died aboard the Navigator of the Seas cruise ship last year (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

"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."

At the time of Virgil's death, Fox LA reported that other passengers on board the Navigator of the Seas claimed that he 'said he was going to kill us' and 'started chasing us down the hallway'.

Passengers claimed that the man attacked two crew members and attempted to break down a door with another crew member hiding behind it.

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'.

Michael Virgil has filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean (Virgil Family)

Kevin Haynes, a lawyer representing Virgil's family, said: "Michael’s family has suffered unimaginable heartache and torment caused by Royal Caribbean, a mega cruise line that prioritizes profit over passenger safety.

"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."

Royal Caribbean told USA Today in an email: "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."

The LADbible Group has contacted Royal Caribbean for comment.