Carnival Cruise Line Ordered to Pay $300K to Passenger Who Was Injured After Being Served 14 Tequila Shots

The cruise ship Carnival Horizon leaves Miami as seen from Miami Beach, Saturday, May 25, 2024. Carnival Horizon is a Vista-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. (AP/NewsBase)

A federal jury in Miami has ordered Carnival Corporation to pay $300,000 in damages to a passenger who was served at least 14 shots of tequila in a single day, concluding a rare over-service case to reach a verdict, the Washington Times reported Wednesday.

The lawsuit was brought by Diana Sanders, a 45-year-old nurse from California, stemming from an incident on Jan. 5, 2024, aboard the Carnival Radiance.

Court records showed Sanders consumed at least 14 shots of tequila over roughly eight hours and 39 minutes, between the afternoon and late evening. Shortly before midnight, she suffered a serious fall that resulted in multiple injuries, including a concussion, ongoing headaches, potential traumatic brain injury and back injuries.

Carnival attempted to dismiss the case multiple times over the course of the litigation, arguing that Sanders did not identify specific crew members responsible for serving her or demonstrate clear signs of intoxication that staff could have recognized.

The plaintiff’s legal team countered that the cruise line’s business model encourages high alcohol consumption, citing the widespread availability of bars and drink service throughout the ship.

The six-person jury ultimately found that Carnival had a duty to exercise reasonable care in monitoring alcohol service to passengers.

Jurors determined that 60% of the fault was Carnival’s and 40% was that of Sanders, resulting in a $300,000 award to Sanders — exceeding the $250,000 initially sought at trial.

Sanders’ attorney said it is uncommon for alcohol over-service cases to go to a full jury verdict rather than settling beforehand.

Carnival says it disagrees with the outcome and plans to pursue a new trial and appeal.