Royal Caribbean is facing a wrongful death lawsuit following the death of 35 year old passenger Michael Virgil, whose December 2024 death onboard the Navigator of the Seas has now been ruled a homicide, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
The case is receiving widespread attention after new details surfaced in court filings and media reports as a lawsuit has been filed following the death being ruled a homicide.
credit Fox11 news
The Incident: A Cruise That Turned Tragic
According to the lawsuit filed by Virgil’s fiancée, Connie Aguilar, the couple boarded the ship on December 13, 2024, for a short cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada with their young son and several family members.
Aguilar claims that the family’s stateroom wasn’t ready upon boarding, and they were directed to wait in a bar area.
During this time, the complaint states that she stepped away with their son—who has autism—to check on the room’s status.
The lawsuit alleges that in her brief absence, Virgil consumed “at least 33 alcoholic beverages”, despite appearing visibly intoxicated.
According to PEOPLE’s reporting, the complaint argues that multiple Royal Caribbean crew members continued to serve him alcohol through the ship’s all-inclusive drink package, even as he showed clear signs of impairment.
“Decedent became agitated,” the complaint said. “Royal Caribbean crew members, including security personnel, approached decedent in an attempt to subdue him. Royal Caribbean crew members, including security personnel, then tackled decedent to the ground, stood on decedent’s body with their full weight, and compressed decedent’s body, causing decedent to stop moving.”
Royal Caribbean has not commented on the specific allegations but told TMZ:
“We were saddened by the passing of one of our guests, worked with authorities on their investigation, and will refrain from commenting any further on pending litigation.”
Unlike some cruise lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean does not have a specific numbered amount of drinks that can be served in a 24 hour period. However, their Guest Health Safety and Conduct Policy states:
“Guests who choose to consume alcohol must do so responsibly. The ship’s staff may refuse to serve alcoholic beverages in their sole discretion to any guest who does not consume alcohol responsibly.”
Disturbance in the Hallway
As Virgil attempted to find his cabin while intoxicated, he allegedly became disoriented and agitated. Footage obtained by Fox 11 and referenced in the lawsuit shows him kicking at a stateroom door and shouting.
One witness claimed Virgil threatened to kill passengers after stepping off the elevator on the wrong deck.
Security personnel eventually intervened as the situation escalated.
“Michael’s family has suffered unimaginable heartache and torment caused by Royal Caribbean, a mega cruise line that prioritizes profit over passenger safety,” Kevin Haynes, partner at the law firm Kherkher Garcia, LLP, that filed the suit, said in a news release. “Crew members, including security and medical personnel, are required to undergo rigorous competency training; it is very clear that Royal Caribbean is completely negligent in the hiring, training and supervision of its vast fleet of maritime employees. What was supposed to be a beautiful family vacation came to an unimaginably tragic end due to the reprehensible way the situation – that should have never occurred – was handled.”
Use of Force and Restraint
According to the lawsuit:
- Security allegedly tackled Virgil to the ground.
- Multiple crew members allegedly held him face-down with their full body weight.
- He was reportedly allegedly pepper-sprayed multiple times.
- Medical personnel allegedly administered an injection of haloperidol, a sedative.
The lawsuit claims these combined actions led to hypoxia, restricted breathing, cardiovascular instability, and ultimately cardiopulmonary arrest.
Death Ruled a Homicide
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled Virgil’s death a homicide, citing:
- Mechanical asphyxia
- Obesity
- Cardiomegaly (enlarged heart)
- Ethanol intoxication
The cruise ship continued its voyage to Ensenada after the incident, and Virgil’s body was reportedly stored in refrigeration until the ship returned to Los Angeles on December 16.
The Lawsuit
Aguilar’s wrongful death suit seeks damages for:
- Loss of support and income
- Funeral and medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of inheritance
- Emotional and psychological trauma
The complaint asserts that both overservice of alcohol and the level of force used by security and medical staff directly contributed to Virgil’s death.
Royal Caribbean’s Response
Royal Caribbean has said only that it is cooperating with authorities and will not discuss active litigation.
The cruise line industry, including Royal Caribbean, enforces alcohol service guidelines intended to prevent overserving, but lawsuits over alleged overservice and restraint incidents have appeared in recent years.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Attention
The case is drawing national attention due to:
- The unusually high number of drinks alleged in the lawsuit
- The medical examiner’s homicide ruling
- Video footage from the ship
- Questions about restraint techniques used at sea
- Concerns around drink packages and responsible alcohol service policies
As of now, no criminal charges have been announced, and the wrongful death lawsuit is ongoing.
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.