A US jury has ordered Carnival Cruise Line to pay $300,000 in damages after finding the company partially responsible for overserving alcohol to a passenger who later suffered serious injuries onboard.
The case centres on Diana Sanders, a 45-year-old California woman who sailed aboard Carnival Radiance on 5th January 2024 for a three-night cruise from Long Beach to Mexico. Sanders claimed she was served at least 14 tequila shots over an eight-hour period before falling on a stairway late that evening.
She filed her lawsuit in November 2024, seeking damages exceeding $75,000 and requesting a jury trial. After a 17-month legal process, a six-person jury ruled in her favour, although liability was shared between both parties.
Details Of The Incident And Injuries
According to court filings, Sanders began drinking at around 3 pm and continued until shortly after 11:30 pm when the incident occurred. While walking around the ship, she fell on a stairway, resulting in multiple injuries.
The lawsuit listed those injuries as “including, but not limited to, a concussion, headaches, a possible traumatic brain injury, back injuries, tailbone injuries, bruising, and other injuries.”
The jury determined that Carnival bore 60% of the responsibility, while Sanders herself was assigned 40% of the blame, reflecting arguments that she had some level of personal accountability for her alcohol consumption.
Her attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, pointed to broader issues within the cruise industry when discussing the case.
“I believe a primary culprit is prepaid drink packages that encourage people to ‘get their money’s worth.’ Furthermore, servers on these cruise lines are often minimally paid workers from economically disadvantaged countries who are financially incentivized to continue serving alcohol because they are compensated by tips,”
Spencer Aronfeld, attorney.
At the time of the sailing, Carnival’s Cheers! drink package allowed guests to consume up to 15 alcoholic beverages within a 24-hour period, starting from 6 am. Sanders’ reported consumption fell just below that threshold.
Questions Over Service And Accountability
The case raised complex questions about how alcohol service is monitored onboard large cruise ships. Carnival Radiance, a vessel of more than 101,000 gross tonnes, features eight separate bars and lounges, meaning passengers may be served by multiple crew members throughout the day.
During proceedings, it emerged that Sanders could not identify a specific bartender or venue responsible for overserving her. Additionally, there was no clear evidence presented that she was visibly intoxicated in a way that would have prompted crew intervention.
While all purchases are logged through a guest’s Sail & Sign account, it remains unclear whether bartenders consistently review a passenger’s prior orders before serving additional drinks. High demand and long queues at onboard bars may also impact how closely consumption is monitored in real time.
Carnival is expected to challenge the verdict. In a statement issued to local media, the company said:
“Carnival Corporation respectfully disagrees with the verdict and believes there are grounds for a new trial and appeal, which it will pursue.”
Latest In A String Of Cruise Lawsuits
The case adds to a growing number of legal actions involving cruise lines and passenger safety. In recent years, incidents ranging from onboard injuries to equipment failures have resulted in lawsuits against major operators.
Claims involving alcohol service are less common but highlight ongoing scrutiny around drink packages and whether they encourage excessive consumption.
As these packages remain a popular add-on for passengers, the outcome of any appeal in this case could have wider implications for how cruise lines manage and monitor alcohol sales at sea.
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I don’t understand how the cruise company is liable. Surely the person who drinks the alcohol should be responsible for the amount they imbibe, and suffer the consequences if they fall down drunk.