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Vacaville Today
By the People, for the People
Carnival Cruise Line Ordered to Pay $300,000 for Overserving Passenger
Jury finds cruise line negligent in serving woman over a dozen tequila shots before fall down stairs.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:11pm
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A hazy, dreamlike scene from a cruise ship deck at night hints at the inherent risks of all-inclusive alcohol packages that can lead to passenger injuries.Vacaville TodayA federal jury in South Florida has ordered Carnival Cruise Line to pay $300,000 to a former passenger after finding the company negligent in serving the woman more than a dozen shots of tequila before she fell down some stairs and suffered a possible traumatic brain injury. The lawsuit alleged Carnival served the 45-year-old nurse from California at least 14 shots between 2:58 p.m. and 11:37 p.m. on January 5, 2024, before her fall sometime between 11:45 p.m. and 12:20 a.m.
Why it matters
This case highlights ongoing concerns about cruise lines' all-inclusive drink packages and the pressure on underpaid servers to prioritize alcohol sales over passenger safety. It also comes amid a separate lawsuit against Royal Caribbean alleging negligence in serving a passenger at least 33 alcoholic drinks before his death.
The details
According to the lawsuit, Diana Sanders was a passenger aboard the Carnival Radiance on January 5, 2024, when she was served at least 14 shots of tequila between approximately 2:58 p.m. and 11:37 p.m. She then experienced a fall sometime between 11:45 p.m. and 12:20 a.m., suffering a concussion, headaches, a possible traumatic brain injury, back injuries, tailbone injuries, and bruising. Jurors were presented with evidence of 30 minutes of missing surveillance video from the time Sanders left the Casino bar until she was found unconscious in a crew-only area.
- On January 5, 2024, Sanders was served at least 14 shots of tequila between approximately 2:58 p.m. and 11:37 p.m.
- Sanders experienced a fall sometime between 11:45 p.m. and 12:20 a.m. on January 5, 2024.
The players
Diana Sanders
A 45-year-old nurse from Vacaville, California who was a passenger on the Carnival Radiance cruise ship.
Carnival Cruise Line
The cruise line that was ordered to pay $300,000 to Diana Sanders after a federal jury found it negligent in serving her over a dozen tequila shots before her fall.
Spencer Aronfeld
The attorney representing Diana Sanders in the lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Line.
What’s next
Carnival Corporation has stated it will pursue a new trial and appeal the $300,000 verdict.
The takeaway
This case underscores the ongoing safety concerns around cruise lines' all-inclusive alcohol policies and the need for stronger regulations and oversight to protect passenger wellbeing, especially for vulnerable individuals like the nurse who suffered serious injuries after being overserved.
