Carnival Cruise Passenger Awarded $500,000 After Being Overserved

A federal jury in South Florida has ordered Carnival Cruise Line to pay US$300,000 to a former passenger after finding the company negligent in the overserving of alcohol. The verdict follows a lawsuit filed by Diana Sanders, a 45-year-old nurse from Vacaville, California, who suffered significant injuries after being served excessive amounts of tequila during a voyage.

The legal action centered on an incident that occurred on January 5, 2024, while Sanders was a passenger aboard the Carnival Radiance. According to the lawsuit, the cruise line served Sanders at least 14 shots of tequila between approximately 2:58 p.m. And 11:37 p.m. Local time.

The jury determined that the company was negligent in its service of alcohol, which contributed to a fall experienced by Sanders between 11:45 p.m. And 12:20 a.m. The fall resulted in a series of injuries, including a concussion, headaches, back injuries, tailbone injuries, bruising, and a possible traumatic brain injury.

Legal Arguments and Evidence

During the 18-month litigation process, attorney Spencer Aronfeld argued that the case illustrates systemic risks associated with the cruise industry’s business model regarding alcohol sales. Aronfeld specifically pointed to the role of all-inclusive drink packages in encouraging dangerous levels of consumption.

This case highlights the inherent dangers of all-inclusive drink packages, which encourage excessive consumption and pressure underpaid servers to prioritise tips over safety.

Spencer Aronfeld

The legal proceedings also involved the presentation of evidence regarding the cruise line’s internal monitoring. Aronfeld stated that jurors were shown evidence of 30 minutes of missing surveillance video. This gap in footage occurred between the time Sanders left the Casino bar and the moment she was discovered unconscious in an area restricted to crew members.

Corporate Response and Industry Context

Carnival Corporation has expressed disagreement with the jury’s decision. In a statement, the company indicated that it believes there are grounds for an appeal and a new trial, both of which the corporation intends to pursue.

This verdict arrives amid broader legal scrutiny of alcohol service practices within the cruise industry. A separate, ongoing wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Royal Caribbean by the fiancée of a man who died on one of its ships. That lawsuit alleges the company negligently served the passenger at least 33 alcoholic drinks and claims liability for his death after crew members allegedly tackled him to the ground and stood on him with their full body weight.

The Carnival Radiance case underscores the potential financial and legal liabilities faced by cruise operators when managing all-inclusive beverage programs and the duty of care owed to passengers regarding alcohol consumption.