A federal jury in Miami has ordered Carnival Cruise Line to pay $300,000 in damages to a passenger who sustained serious injuries after cruise staff allegedly provided her with excessive amounts of alcohol before a devastating fall.
The jury ruled in favor of Diana Sanders, a 45-year-old registered nurse from Vacaville, California, concluding that Carnival acted negligently when serving the passenger.
Court records show that on January 5, 2024, Sanders was aboard the Carnival Radiance when crew members served her no fewer than 14 tequila shots during an eight-hour period from late afternoon until nearly midnight. Shortly after 11:45 p.m., Sanders fell down stairs, resulting in a concussion, potential brain trauma, spinal injuries, tailbone damage, and extensive bruising.
Sanders’ legal representative, Spencer Aronfeld, emphasized the significance of the David-versus-Goliath legal battle in a written statement. “Taking on a corporate giant like Carnival is a massive undertaking, and I have enormous respect for my client’s resilience throughout this 18-month litigation,” Aronfeld said in an email. “This case highlights the inherent dangers of all-inclusive drink packages, which encourage excessive consumption and pressure underpaid servers to prioritize tips over safety.”
The attorney revealed that jurors reviewed evidence showing a suspicious 30-minute gap in security footage covering the period from when Sanders departed the ship’s casino bar until crew members discovered her unconscious in a restricted crew area.
Carnival Corporation issued a response indicating the company disputes the jury’s decision and intends to challenge the outcome through requests for a new trial and appellate proceedings.
This verdict comes as the cruise industry faces additional scrutiny over alcohol service policies. A separate ongoing lawsuit targets Royal Caribbean, where a passenger’s fiancée alleges the cruise line bears responsibility for his death after serving him 33 alcoholic beverages and subsequently using excessive force during a physical altercation with crew members.
