The family of a man who died aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise is making shocking claims in a new lawsuit against the company.
Michael Virgil, who died in custody just hours after boarding the ship last December, was allegedly served 33 drinks at one of the ship’s bars before he was injected with a deadly sedative, according to the suit. It says Virgil’s death has been changed to a homicide.
TMZ published the court documents Monday morning. In a statement, Royal Caribbean Cruise said the mega-cruise company is “saddened by the passing” of one of its guests and won’t provide further comment on a pending investigation.
But to Virgil’s fiancé, the findings are apparent: he was over served.
What Does the Lawsuit Say?
The wrongful death suit alleges that the 35-year-old Virgil and his fiancé, Connie, boarded the Mexico-bound vessel in Los Angeles with their seven-year-old son. Upon finding out their room wasn’t ready, they headed towards one of the bar areas.
When their son, who has autism, started acting out, Connie says she escorted him from the bar and they checked on the family’s room. Virgil didn’t go with them.
During that period, the lawsuit alleges he was served the life-threatening amount of alcohol. Operating in a severely altered state, Virgil tried and failed to find his room.
Footage from the incident shows Virgil kicking on doors and throwing a tantrum before security swarms him. During his drunken fit, he allegedly attacked and threatened to kill crew members and passengers.
Once Virgil was apprehended, security personnel injected him with a “sedative medication, Haloperidol, and used multiple cans of pepper spray,” say the docs.
The family believes that’s what killed him, and is suing for damages.
“May he rest in a peace,” a passenger told FOX 11 in Los Angeles. “He just needed some help.”
NEW: Man dies on a Royal Caribbean cruise after being served 33 drinks, family accuses cruise staff of injecting him with a sedative.
35-year-old Michael Virgil was seen having a meltdown after getting off the elevator on the wrong floor.
The family says just hours after… pic.twitter.com/pNWcA6VekR
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 8, 2025
Virgil’s Death Part of a Trend?
The family’s attorney, Kevin Haynes, says Virgil’s death is part of a troubling trend. ‘We are seeing an incredibly alarming number of serious injuries and fatalities on cruise ships of late,” he wrote.
He continued, “Our goal is to force systemic change in the way this industry operates to ensure that no person or family experiences tragedy like this again.”
While hundreds of cruise ship deaths occur each year, tens of millions of people per year embark on luxurious nautical vacations. Analysis shows there’s about one death per 150,000 customers.
