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May 2026 Could a passenger aboard a cruise ship sue the cruise line if they were injured after the cruise line served them excessive alcohol? When bars or restaurants serve alcohol to guests, they can sometimes be held liable through Dram Shop laws. These laws can place liability on an establishment for serving excessive alcohol to patrons. Such laws vary by state. At sea, passengers have also sued cruise lines for injuries they incurred on the cruise ship as a result of being served too many drinks under a similar theory that places liability on the serving establishment. In these cases, the establishment is the cruise ship and the cruise line. A recent case in Florida federal court involved a passenger who sued the cruise line for injuries she sustained falling down one of the ship's stairways. She had been served 14 tequila shots over the course of eight hours aboard the cruise ship Carnival Radiance. A Florida jury awarded her $300,000 - See Story - USA Today .
In another cruise ship lawsuit involving alcohol, the family of a 35-year-old California man is suing Royal Caribbean Line after he died last year as a result of being served at least 33 alcoholic drinks at the ship's bar. According to the lawsuit, the cruise line served the passenger negligently, despite visible signs of intoxication.
In another cruise ship lawsuit involving alcohol, the family of a 35-year-old California man is suing Royal Caribbean Line after he died last year as a result of being served at least 33 alcoholic drinks at the ship's bar. According to the lawsuit, the cruise line served the passenger negligently, despite visible signs of intoxication.
