Family Sues Royal Caribbean for Allegedly Over-Serving Alcohol to Mother Who Went Overboard on Taylor Swift Cruise
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A tragic incident on a Royal Caribbean cruise has led to a family taking legal action against the company. The family of Dulcie White, a passenger who went overboard on a Taylor Swift-themed cruise, is suing Royal Caribbean for allegedly over-serving her alcohol. The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, when Dulcie White, 66, went overboard on the Allure of the Seas ship in the Bahamas during a five-day cruise. The search for her was initiated by the crews on board, but tragically, her body is still missing to this day.
According to reports, a lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of Florida by Dulcie’s family, holding the crew of the Allure of the Seas responsible for the tragic incident. The lawsuit claims that Dulcie was served an excessive amount of alcohol, with at least seven drinks served to her continuously over a period of approximately six hours and eight minutes. Allegations include crew members neglecting to recognise her intoxicated state as she showed visible signs of being heavily under the influence.
The complaint further states that a fellow passenger had noticed Dulcie’s intoxicated state and tried to assist her by taking her back to her cabin around 7:30 p.m. Despite this intervention, Dulcie tragically went overboard later that night, witnessed by her own daughter. The lawsuit alleges that crew members continued to serve Dulcie alcohol from an all-inclusive drink package, known as “CHEERS!”, which allows guests to consume up to 15 alcoholic drinks within 24 hours for a fee of $69.95.
In an emotional statement to CBS Miami, Dulcie’s daughter, Megan Klewin, expressed her sorrow over the situation, noting that the last memory she has of her mother is of her being completely intoxicated due to the overconsumption facilitated by the drink package. The family, represented by Dulcie’s widow Terry White and her daughter Megan, is seeking justice through the lawsuit, which includes claims of over-service of alcohol, negligent search and rescue operation, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
The legal action also highlights the alleged failure of the crew to execute standard procedures in man overboard situations. The suit claims that the Allure of the Seas did not initiate a Williamson or Anderson turn, a manoeuvre commonly used in such emergencies, and did not launch a rescue boat promptly. Megan Klewin emphasised the impact of the alcohol consumption on the tragic event, suggesting that the crew’s incentive-based system encouraged the continuous service of alcohol to guests without considering their wellbeing.
As the case unfolds, Attorney Spencer Aronfeld, representing the family, has raised concerns about Royal Caribbean’s policies regarding all-inclusive drink packages and their prioritisation of profits over passenger safety. The family hopes that by holding the company accountable for Dulcie’s death, they can prompt changes within the industry to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers aboard cruise ships.
When approached for comment, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean declined to provide a statement on the ongoing litigation. The legal battle between the family of Dulcie White and Royal Caribbean sheds light on the responsibilities of cruise companies in ensuring the responsible service of alcohol and prompt emergency response procedures to prevent tragic incidents like these from reoccurring. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining safety protocols and prioritising passenger welfare on cruise ships.