Royal Caribbean Group is facing a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of a woman who went overboard during a Taylor Swift-themed cruise. Her family claims the ship’s crew kept serving her alcohol even after she showed signs of extreme intoxication.
Dulcie White, 66, fell from her balcony on the “Allure of the Seas” on Oct. 22, 2024, after being served seven drinks in just over six hours, according to a lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade County. Her body was never recovered.
The suit alleges Royal Caribbean’s unlimited drink package encouraged overconsumption and that crew members ignored clear warning signs before her fatal fall.
Royal Caribbean unlimited drinks package cited in lawsuit
Royal Caribbean offers passengers “unlimited alcoholic beverages” on a deluxe drink package that costs an additional fee.
White purchased the package, her daughter Megan Klewin said.
“Because of that (drink package), [she] did overdo it, trying to maybe get her money’s worth,” Klewin said. “She was completely intoxicated in a way I haven’t seen before. It saddens me that that is my last memory of her.”
White and Klewin took a “girl’s trip” on a Taylor Swift-themed cruise, Klewin said.
Crew served White seven drinks in six hours, lawsuit states
Royal Caribbean’s crew on board the ship served White “seven alcoholic beverages continually within a span of approximately six hours and eight minutes,” according to a lawsuit Klewin and her family filed on behalf of White’s estate in Miami-Dade County on Oct. 30.
The lawsuit also claimed staff ignored White’s slurring speech, swaying, stammering, and struggling to stand up. A passenger noticed White’s behavior and helped her to her cabin, according to the lawsuit.
Once inside the cabin, Klewin saw White go toward the balcony. White and her daughter kept their luggage on the balcony to create more space in their cabin, Klewin said.
“I assumed that’s what she was doing was going to check her suitcase,” Klewin said. “I wasn’t looking and the next chance that I did look up, I saw her back. She was seated on the edge of the balcony like she had climbed up. She was seated and then fell over before I could get to her.”
Royal Caribbean ship did not attempt rescue, lawsuit says
The cruise ship never turned around or used rescue boats, according to the lawsuit.
A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Group sent a statement to CBS News Miami, saying: “We don’t comment on pending litigation.”
“It will haunt us for the rest of our lives,” Klewin said. “I feel the overconsumption of alcohol and the over service of alcohol was the cause of this.”
“These crew members are incentivized to continue to serve them because that’s how they make their tips,” she added.
Attorney Spencer Aronfeld said the High Seas Act limits any potential winnings in court. However, he said Dulcie White’s family wants accountability.
“I think a victory in this case would be if Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines, Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, decide to discontinue these all-you-can-drink (alcohol) drink packages,” Aronfeld said.
