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Lawsuit Filed Against Royal Caribbean in Overboard Death of New York Woman
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Published November 2, 2025, at 17:29 EST
A lawsuit has been initiated against Royal Caribbean International by the family of Dulcie White, a 66-year-old woman from Westmoreland, New York, who tragically fell overboard during a cruise in October 2024. The family alleges the cruise line’s excessive alcohol service contributed to her death.
Aronfeld Trial Lawyers announced on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, that they are representing White’s family in the suit as reported by CBS News Miami. The lawsuit claims Royal Caribbean negligently over-served White alcohol, leading to her fall into the Caribbean Sea.
The Incident: Taylor Swift-Themed Cruise and Disappearance
white was a passenger on the Allure of the Seas during a Taylor Swift-themed cruise traveling to the Bahamas. She was accompanied by her daughter, megan klewin. CrimeOnline first reported on the incident on October 23, 2024, detailing White’s disappearance.
Allegations of Over-Service
According to the lawsuit, White purchased the cruise line’s “unlimited alcoholic beverages” package and reportedly intended to maximize its benefits. The suit alleges she consumed at least seven alcoholic drinks within approximately six hours and eight minutes. The family contends this demonstrates a pattern of over-service by Royal Caribbean staff, contributing to her impaired state and subsequent fall overboard.
Royal Caribbean’s Policies and Potential Liability
Cruise lines generally have policies regarding responsible alcohol service, but enforcement can be challenging, particularly wiht unlimited beverage packages. Legal precedents in similar cases have established that cruise lines can be held liable for negligence if they over-serve passengers who subsequently cause harm to themselves or others. The outcome of this case will likely hinge on demonstrating that Royal Caribbean staff knowingly and negligently continued to serve White alcohol despite visible signs of intoxication.
Royal Caribbean’s standard ticket contract contains clauses addressing liability and waivers, but these are frequently enough subject to legal challenge, especially in cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct. The family’s legal team will likely argue that the cruise line’s actions constituted such misconduct.
