Royal Caribbean cruise line stands accused of negligence after allegedly serving passenger Michael Virgil 33 alcoholic drinks before his death, then storing his body in a refrigerator until the ship returned to port. The incident occurred in December 2024 aboard the Navigator of the Seas during a voyage from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico.
According to the lawsuit filed by Virgil’s fiancée, Connie Aguilar, the 35-year-old California father became disoriented and agitated after consuming numerous alcoholic beverages through the ship’s “Deluxe Beverage” package. Crew members reportedly tackled Virgil to the ground, administered a sedative, used pepper spray, and applied their full body weight to restrain him, leading to his death. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later ruled the death a homicide, KTLA reported after obtaining the official medical examiner’s report.
How Royal Caribbean Responded After Passenger Died Onboard
The lawsuit alleges that after Virgil’s death, Royal Caribbean staff placed his body in a refrigerator and continued the voyage, ignoring pleas from Aguilar to return to port in Long Beach, California. The autopsy report indicated that while Virgil’s blood alcohol level of 0.182 – 0.186% wasn’t fatal on its own, it did impair his ability to respond during the physical restraint, which ultimately contributed to his death from “cardiopulmonary arrest.”
The filing claims Virgil was still breathing when taken to the ship’s medical center after being restrained for approximately three minutes. His death was officially attributed to “mechanical asphyxia” combined with obesity, an enlarged heart, and alcohol intoxication.
The lawsuit specifically questions Royal Caribbean’s alcohol service protocols, alleging the cruise line’s ships are “deliberately designed to ensure there are alcohol-serving stations in every nook and cranny” and that the company “does as much as possible to encourage and facilitate alcohol consumption” on board.
What Passenger Rights Exist On Cruise Ships And What’s Missing
Maritime law experts point out that cruise companies operate under surprisingly limited obligations to disclose information about passenger deaths and incidents. According to the New York Post, Florida-based attorney Keith Brais, who specializes in maritime injury cases, indicates that cruise lines are not required to release the findings of their internal investigations into passenger deaths. This regulatory gap allows cruise companies to potentially downplay incidents that might make them appear liable.
Brais highlights that cruise liners frequently attribute deaths to “natural causes” even when “the totality of the circumstances at hand suggests otherwise.” The case highlights the complex legal environment surrounding cruise ships, which often operate in international waters under flags of convenience. While the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 requires cruise companies to track onboard crimes, the reporting and disclosure requirements remain limited compared to land-based incidents.
When deaths occur at sea, cruise ships typically use coded language among crew members to avoid alarming other passengers. The Points Guy reports that large cruise ships have morgues hidden on the lower decks, designed to hold bodies until the vessel reaches a port equipped to manage them.
What the Lawsuit Means For The Industry
According to the legal filing, Royal Caribbean failed to exercise its right to stop serving alcohol to Virgil despite his visible intoxication, violating maritime common law that requires carriers to “supervise and assist passengers likely to engage in behavior dangerous to themselves or others.” Virgil’s family is pursuing multiple damages through their lawsuit, including “loss of support, inheritance, and medical and funeral expenses.”
Royal Caribbean stated they were “saddened” by Virgil’s death when it occurred and would cooperate with authorities, but has declined to comment on the pending litigation. Kherkher Garcia, LLP, the law firm representing Virgil’s family, states that “wrongful death claims can be powerful catalysts for industry-wide safety improvements” and hopes this lawsuit will lead to “stronger alcohol-service policies, better security training, and clearer medical protocols.”
