The recent tragedy involving a Royal Caribbean passenger, who died after consuming nearly 30 alcoholic drinks, has raised serious concerns about the cruise industry’s safety practices, according to personal safety experts.
Michael Virgil, 35, along with his family, boarded the Navigator of the Seas in Los Angeles on December 13, 2024, for a four-day getaway to Ensenada, Mexico. What was supposed to be a dream trip turned into a nightmare.
Virgil’s family, which includes his long-term fiancée and their young son with autism, has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Royal Caribbean in the Southern District of Florida, asserting the company shares responsibility for his death.
The family claims that shortly after boarding, while waiting for their cabin to be ready, the crew served Virgil at least 33 alcoholic beverages. Eventually, as he became intoxicated, he grew increasingly disturbed while searching for his cabin.
“When you’re on the high seas, there may be a code of honor in place, but the reality is that things operate in a rather loose manner,” said Bill Stanton, a former NYPD officer and author of “Prepared Not Scared.”
Virgil’s agitation escalated, leading to an encounter with security personnel who restrained him. Tragically, he was reportedly held down for approximately three minutes, during which he stopped moving. According to the suit, crew members administered a sedative and used pepper spray in an attempt to subdue him.
Body camera footage captured after the altercation indicated Virgil still had a pulse but was pronounced dead about two and a half hours later. Family attorney Kevin Haynes emphasized that mechanical asphyxia was a leading factor in his death, as many employees were involved in restraining him.
Following the incident, Virgil’s fiancée requested that the cruise return to port, a plea that the cruise line denied. Instead, the family claims the crew placed Virgil’s body in a refrigerator in the ship’s morgue and continued the journey. His body remained on board until the ship returned to Los Angeles on December 16.
An autopsy later ruled the cause of death a homicide, linking it to mechanical asphyxia, obesity, and alcohol intoxication. Commenting on this incident, Haynes noted, “There has been a disturbing rise in serious injuries and fatalities on cruise ships.”
Likening Virgil’s situation to the George Floyd case, Haynes stated that both incidents involved the use of force that obstructed the individual’s ability to breathe. Virgil’s estate is pursuing damages under the Death at Sea Act, which includes compensation for loss of support, emotional suffering, and funeral expenses.
Stanton pointed out that law enforcement responsibilities are often assigned to onboard security personnel, which complicates matters when crimes occur. He highlighted the importance for passengers to maintain awareness of their surroundings even while on vacation.
Royal Caribbean has not commented on the specifics of the case due to ongoing legal matters, but they expressed sorrow over the incident and noted their cooperation with the investigation.
