14 Shots, a Fall, and a $300,000 Verdict Against Carnival Cruise Line
A Miami federal jury found Carnival liable for overserving a passenger aboard the Carnival Radiance — and footage from a critical 30-minute window was not available at trial.
A Miami federal jury has ordered Carnival Cruise Line to pay $300,000 to Diana Sanders, a 45-year-old nurse from Vacaville, California — after finding the company negligent in its alcohol service aboard the Carnival Radiance on January 5, 2024.
Sanders was served at least 14 shots of tequila between 2:58 p.m. and 11:37 p.m. that evening. She was later found unconscious in a crew-only area of the ship. The fall left her with a concussion, back and tailbone injuries, bruising, and a possible traumatic brain injury.
The trial lasted one week and examined Carnival’s CHEERS! all-inclusive drink package, a 30-minute gap in onboard surveillance footage, and whether bartenders had a duty to stop serving a visibly intoxicated passenger. The jury found that Carnival failed that duty of care.
The Night in Question
A Timeline of January 5, 2024
Tap each event to read the details.
↑ Tap any event above to expand
Comparative Negligence
How the Jury Split Responsibility
Under General Maritime Law, juries can apportion liability between parties. The jury assigned a greater share of liability to Carnival.
Fault percentages are based on the jury’s comparative negligence finding as reported from court proceedings.
“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. This case highlights the inherent dangers of all-inclusive drink packages, which encourage excessive consumption and pressure underpaid servers to prioritize tips over safety.”
— Spencer Aronfeld, Attorney for Diana SandersWhat Carnival’s Own Policy States
The CHEERS! Drink Package — Official Rules
Carnival’s CHEERS! package terms were central to the plaintiff’s argument. Sanders was served 14 shots — one short of the 15-drink daily cap. Her legal team argued the cap functioned as a consumption target rather than a safety limit.
Evidence at Trial
Three Facts That Shaped the Verdict
Details directly addressed during the week-long trial that received limited coverage elsewhere.
Both Sides of the Case
Carnival’s Defense Arguments
Tap each argument to expand.
Industry Context
This Is Not an Isolated Case
A separate, ongoing lawsuit against Royal Caribbean was filed by Connie Aguilar following the death of Michael Virgil, a passenger who was allegedly served 33 alcoholic drinks before a fatal encounter with crew members aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise in December 2024.
According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the cruise industry carried over 31 million passengers in 2023. The U.S. Coast Guard and International Maritime Organization (IMO) set broad maritime safety frameworks, while specific alcohol service standards are largely governed by individual cruise line policies within those frameworks. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program monitors onboard health conditions but does not regulate beverage service standards.
The Jury’s Decision: $300,000
The federal jury in Miami found that Carnival Cruise Line acted negligently in the case of Diana Sanders aboard the Carnival Radiance on January 5, 2024. The $300,000 award exceeded Sanders’ initial request of $250,000. The trial followed 18 months of litigation. Carnival has stated its intent to pursue a new trial and appeal. Case filings are accessible through the U.S. Federal Courts via PACER.
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