Patriot Brief
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What Happened: Michael Virgil died after cruise staff allegedly overserved him, pepper sprayed him and injected him with a sedative during a meltdown.
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Why It Matters: The family says the cruise line escalated the situation and used dangerous force, renewing concerns about weak industry oversight.
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Bottom Line: With injuries and deaths rising at sea, critics say cruise lines need accountability before another preventable tragedy unfolds.
A shocking new lawsuit is putting Royal Caribbean under a harsh spotlight after 35-year-old passenger Michael Virgil died during a family cruise that was supposed to be a simple holiday getaway. According to the filing, reviewed by the Daily Mail, Virgil was allegedly served 33 alcoholic drinks in a matter of hours before his death was ruled a homicide.
Virgil, who was vacationing with his fiancée and their seven-year-old son, reportedly began showing signs of distress when the family learned their room wasn’t ready. Staff directed them to wait at a bar, where the lawsuit claims Virgil was overserved while his fiancée took their son, who has autism, to check on the cabin.
NEW: Man dies on a Royal Caribbean cruise after being served 33 drinks, family accuses cruise staff of injecting him with a sedative.
35-year-old Michael Virgil was seen having a meltdown after getting off the elevator on the wrong floor.
The family says just hours after… pic.twitter.com/pNWcA6VekR
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 8, 2025
After becoming intoxicated, Virgil reportedly wandered the ship looking for his room, eventually growing agitated when he could not find it. Security footage from the night shows him lashing at a door and tearing off his clothes. One passenger even told investigators that Virgil threatened to kill him during the meltdown.
Cruise staff intervened, but the lawsuit says things escalated dramatically. Crew members allegedly tackled Virgil, held him down with full body weight and made it difficult for him to breathe. According to the complaint, the ship’s captain then ordered that Virgil be injected with the sedative Haloperidol, in addition to being sprayed with multiple cans of pepper spray.
Virgil went into cardiopulmonary arrest and died shortly after.
Attorney Kevin Haynes, who represents the family, said, “Michael’s family has suffered unimaginable heartache and torment caused by Royal Caribbean, a mega cruise line that prioritizes profit over passenger safety.”
He added, “What was supposed to be a beautiful family vacation came to an unimaginably tragic end due to the reprehensible way the situation was handled.”
The family is seeking damages for funeral costs, loss of support and mental anguish, while also demanding accountability from an industry long criticized for policing itself on the open seas.