Cruise passenger was served 33 drinks, pepper sprayed and restrained before he died, lawsuit says

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A passenger who died on a Royal Caribbean cruise was doused with pepper spray and physically restrained by staff members after he was served 33 alcoholic drinks and became violent, according to a lawsuit the man’s family filed against the company.Video from aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruises ship showed Michael Virgil at times screaming, kicking at a door, shirtless and then being restrained on the ground.According to a lawsuit filed against the cruise line in Florida last week, crew members had served Virgil at least 33 drinks before he died on an all-inclusive, four-day journey from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, last year.“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,” said Kevin Haynes, who is representing the family in the suit, in a statement.In an email, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean declined to comment on the lawsuit.

“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,” the statement from Royal Caribbean Group read.The lawsuit says that Virgil, who was from Riverside, boarded the ship on Dec.

13, 2024, with his longtime fiancée, Connie Aguilar, and their 7-year-old son, but they were told to wait in a bar area with live music because their cabin was not ready.Virgil’s son and Aguilar left at one point to check on their cabin, but the suit alleges Virgil was served at least 33 alcoholic drinks shortly after boarding the ship.Virgil had purchased Royal Caribbean’s “Deluxe Beverage Package,” according to the suit, which gives passengers all-inclusive drinks.The suit alleges that before the violent confrontation with crew members, Virgil had shown signs of intoxication to the ship’s staff, who c...