A family has filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean after a passenger died aboard the Navigator of the Seas, allegedly after being served 33 alcoholic drinks and subdued by crew members. Michael Virgil, 35, died on the cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico in December 2024. His fiancée, Connie Aguilar, and their son were also on board.
The suit, filed in Miami on Monday, accuses the cruise line of negligently serving alcohol and hiring inadequately trained employees. Video broadcast by Fox11 Los Angeles showed an inebriated Virgil attempting to kick down a door. Witnesses claimed he threatened to kill people and attacked two crew members.
According to the complaint, crew members tackled Virgil to the ground and stood on him. They then injected him with Haloperidol, a medication used to treat psychotic disorders, and used pepper spray on him. The captain allegedly authorised the use of the drug. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide due to mechanical asphyxia, obesity, cardiomegaly, and ethanol intoxication.
Lawyer Kevin Haynes stated: 'Michael’s family has suffered unimaginable heartache... caused by Royal Caribbean, a mega cruise line that prioritises profit over passenger safety.' He alleged that the company failed to refuse service despite marketing 'all you can drink' packages. The cruise line's parent company expressed sadness but declined further comment due to pending litigation.
