Carnival Cruise Overserved Passenger, Jury Awards $300K

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A federal jury in Miami has awarded a 45-year-old nurse from Vacaville, California, $300,000 after finding that Carnival Cruises overserved her alcohol during a 2024 cruise out of Long Beach. The lawsuit filed by Diana Sanders stated that she was served 14 shots of tequila at six different bars aboard the Carnival Radiance over an eight-hour period, leading to her falling down a staircase and sustaining a variety of injuries.

Why it matters

This case highlights the responsibility cruise lines have to monitor alcohol consumption and prevent intoxicated passengers from injuring themselves. It also raises questions about Carnival's onboard alcohol policies and whether changes may be needed to ensure passenger safety.

The details

According to the lawsuit, on January 4, 2024, Sanders was served 14 shots of tequila at six different bars aboard the Carnival Radiance over an eight-hour period. Around midnight, she fell down a staircase, sustaining a concussion, headaches, possible traumatic brain injury, back injuries, tailbone injuries, and bruising. Carnival argued that no one on board saw Sanders exhibiting "intoxicated-like behaviors," but the jury sided with Sanders, awarding her $300,000 in damages.

• On January 4, 2024, Sanders was served 14 shots of tequila over an eight-hour period aboard the Carnival Radiance.
• Around midnight on January 4, 2024, Sanders fell down a staircase on the ship.

What’s next

Carnival Cruises has stated it plans to pursue a new trial and appeal the jury's decision.