Woman Awarded $300K After Carnival Cruise Overserved Her 14 Tequila Shots

Jury finds cruise line negligent for continuing to serve visibly intoxicated passenger

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:20pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of a dimly lit cruise ship bar, with blurred neon lights and shadowy figures, conveying a sense of disorientation and the emotional impact of the overservice incident.The hazy, intoxicating atmosphere of a cruise ship bar sets the stage for a troubling incident of passenger overservice and negligence.Today in Miami

A California nurse named Diana Sanders has been awarded $300,000 in a lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Line after she was allegedly served 14 tequila shots over the course of an evening on one of their cruise ships in 2024. Sanders suffered injuries after blacking out and falling down a staircase, and accused the cruise line of negligence for continuing to serve her alcohol despite her visible intoxication.

Why it matters

This case highlights the responsibility of cruise lines and other hospitality businesses to monitor and cut off alcohol service to visibly intoxicated patrons, in order to prevent injuries and liability. It also raises questions about the cruise industry's approach to alcohol consumption and passenger safety.

The details

According to court documents, Diana Sanders was served a total of 14 tequila shots at six different bars on the Carnival Radiance cruise ship on January 5, 2024, with multiple shots being served to her within a single hour. Sanders was reportedly "swaying, stammering, slurring her speech, had alcohol on her breath, and was acting belligerent" while the crew continued to serve her alcohol. After blacking out, Sanders suffered a fall and sustained injuries including a concussion, headaches, back and tailbone injuries, and mental anguish.

  • On January 5, 2024, Sanders was served 14 tequila shots between 2:58 p.m. and 11:37 p.m.
  • Between 11:45 p.m. on January 5 and 12:20 a.m. on January 6, 2024, Sanders blacked out and suffered a fall.

The players

Diana Sanders

A 45-year-old nurse from California who was overserved alcohol on a Carnival Cruise and suffered injuries after blacking out and falling down a staircase.

Carnival Cruise Line

The cruise line that was found 60% liable for continuing to serve alcohol to an intoxicated passenger, leading to her injuries.

Spencer Aronfield

The attorney representing Diana Sanders in her lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Line.

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What they’re saying

“Waking up after blacking out and going to the crew and asking them for help and asking them to tell me what happened was extremely frustrating. They gave me conflicting information, they treated me like a criminal.”

— Diana Sanders

“I felt bullied. I felt like everything they did was either to mentally torment me or financially torment me.”

— Diana Sanders

What’s next

Carnival Cruise Line is expected to pay Diana Sanders $300,000 in damages as a result of the jury's ruling that they were negligent in continuing to serve her alcohol despite her visible intoxication.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of cruise lines and other hospitality businesses exercising proper duty of care when serving alcohol to customers, in order to prevent injuries and liability. It also raises broader questions about the cruise industry's approach to alcohol consumption and passenger safety.