The family of a California man who died aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise last year is suing the company. They allege he was dramatically overserved alcohol and later subjected to fatal levels of force by ship security and medical staff. The lawsuit, filed by the fiancé of 35-year-old Michael Virgil, contends he was given “at least 33 alcoholic beverages” shortly before an incident that escalated into a violent confrontation captured in passenger video.
According to the complaint, Virgil boarded the ship in San Pedro with his fiancée, Connie Aguilar, and their 7-year-old autistic son, intending a short holiday trip to Ensenada, Mexico. Upon arrival, they were told their cabin was not ready, so crew members directed the family to a bar to wait. The lawsuit alleges this became the first step in a cascading series of errors. While waiting, their son became restless; Aguilar then left with him to inquire again about their room, leaving Virgil at the bar.
The family claims that staff continued serving drinks to Virgil at a reckless and dangerous pace during the short window when Aguilar was away. According to the lawsuit, by the time Aguilar returned, Virgil had consumed dozens of drinks. He was then seen wandering the ship intoxicated and disoriented. The timeline, as described, shows that soon after Aguilar’s return, Virgil attempted to find his cabin, became overwhelmed, and, after getting lost in the corridors, lashed out in panic.
Passengers told FOX 11 Los Angeles that Virgil appeared agitated as he tried to force open doors and shouted threats during a confused outburst. According to witnesses, Virgil first attempted to open the doors before escalating to shouting threats. Shortly after, a clip posted online shows Virgil attempting to kick down a door to reach a crew member who had locked themselves inside. The incident then drew the attention of security officers, who moved quickly to restrain him as other passengers looked on.
In the lawsuit, Aguilar alleges that her fiancé became the target of “the excessive force and fatal actions taken by crew members, including security and medical personnel,” claiming officers used several cans of pepper spray and administered Haloperidol, a sedative often reserved for cases of extreme agitation. Attorneys say the sedative, combined with physical restraint, left Virgil unable to breathe properly.
The filing cites post-incident medical findings indicating that less than an hour after the ship left port, Virgil suffered “significant hypoxia and impaired ventilation, respiratory failure, cardiovascular instability and ultimately cardiopulmonary arrest, leading to his death, which has been ruled a homicide.” The family argues that inadequate training, improper medical judgment and uncontrolled alcohol service all contributed to this fatal outcome.
Maritime safety advocates note that cruise lines operate under a patchwork of international regulations. This complicates oversight of onboard conduct, alcohol service practices, and security procedures. Past litigation has raised similar concerns about crew training and the use of sedatives during emergency interventions. Cases rarely result in homicide determinations.
The family is seeking damages for loss of financial support, future earnings, funeral and medical expenses, and emotional trauma. Attorneys also highlight the long-term impact of Virgil’s death on his young son. They say the boy witnessed the events leading up to his father’s detention.
Royal Caribbean issued a brief statement expressing sympathy and cooperation with investigators. The cruise line said it was “saddened by Michael’s death.” It declined to discuss the allegations directly, citing its policy of not commenting on ongoing litigation.
The lawsuit is expected to proceed in federal court. Both sides may face questions about crew protocols, alcohol sale records, and the decision-making that unfolded in the tense final minutes of Virgil’s life. For his family, the legal battle represents an effort to secure accountability. It is also a public call for stronger safety standards across the cruise industry.
