- Royal Caribbean Group faces a wrongful death lawsuit regarding the death of passenger Dulcie White, who fell overboard from Allure of the Seas in October 2024.
- The lawsuit claims crew members served White at least seven alcoholic beverages in approximately six hours, despite her showing clear visible signs of severe intoxication.
- The family cites the deluxe, unlimited alcoholic beverage package as a factor that encouraged overconsumption and criticizes the crew’s alleged failure to intervene.
- The family’s goal is to achieve accountability and advocate for the cruise industry to discontinue “all-you-can-drink” alcohol packages
Royal Caribbean Group is currently facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Dulcie White, a 66-year-old passenger who went overboard from Allure of the Seas on October 22, 2024. White’s body remains missing at sea, and the lawsuit, filed in Miami-Dade County, alleges that the crew’s actions were directly responsible for the incident.
The core of the legal action centers on the cruise line’s deluxe drink package, which White had purchased. According to the family, this package may have incentivized her to overconsume alcohol. The lawsuit specifically claims that the crew served White at least seven alcoholic beverages continually within a six-hour span, ignoring her clear signs of intoxication, which included slurred speech, swaying, and difficulty standing. A fellow passenger reportedly had to assist White back to her cabin prior to the fall.
White’s daughter, who was traveling with her, witnessed her mother go toward the balcony, where they had stored luggage. She saw her mother seated on the edge before she fell over. The lawsuit further alleges that the cruise ship did not attempt a prompt rescue, such as turning around or deploying rescue boats. While the family’s attorney noted that the High Seas Act limits potential financial winnings, the family’s stated goal is not financial payout but seeking accountability and encouraging the discontinuation of unlimited alcohol drink packages across the cruise industry.