A federal jury in Miami has awarded $300,000 to a California nurse who claimed she was overserved at least 14 tequila shots aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship, causing her to black out and suffer a serious fall.
Diana Sanders, 45, a registered nurse from Vacaville, California, was sailing on the Carnival Radiance during a Baja California itinerary when, on January 5, 2024, she was served 14 or more shots of tequila over approximately eight hours and 40 minutes. Court records show the drinks were ordered across six different bars on the ship, including the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar and Red Frog Rum Bar.
Security footage reportedly captured Sanders actively ordering and consuming the shots. Later that night, between 11:45 p.m. and 12:20 a.m., she fell down a flight of stairs and was found unconscious in a restricted crew-only area. Sanders suffered a concussion, possible traumatic brain injury (TBI), back and tailbone injuries, extensive bruising, and ongoing headaches that she says have impacted her work in neonatal intensive care and her overall quality of life.
Sanders sued Carnival Corporation, arguing that bartenders negligently continued serving her despite visible signs of intoxication. Her attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, emphasized that the cruise line had a duty of care to monitor and stop service to passengers who were clearly impaired, especially in an environment fueled by drink packages and high-volume bar sales.
After a week-long trial in April 2026, the jury found Carnival 60% at fault for overserving and assigned Sanders 40% comparative fault for her own consumption. The $300,000 verdict exceeded the $250,000 amount requested by her legal team.
In a video posted after the verdict, Sanders described the aftermath as deeply frustrating. “Waking up after blacking out and asking the crew for help was extremely difficult,” she said. “They gave me conflicting information and treated me like a criminal. I felt bullied and mentally tormented throughout this two-year process.”
The case stands out as one of the rare instances in which a passenger injury lawsuit against a major cruise line reached a full jury trial and resulted in a plaintiff victory. Aronfeld noted that while many similar overservice cases settle, few make it all the way to a courtroom decision.
Carnival attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing that Sanders failed to specifically identify the individual bartenders or bars involved, making it impossible to properly defend the claims. The company has since stated it “respectfully disagrees with the verdict” and plans to appeal, seeking a new trial or reversal.
A spokesperson for Carnival said the cruise operator believes there are strong grounds to challenge the outcome. Most passenger claims against cruise lines are typically resolved through settlements due to the complexities of admiralty law and the industry’s robust legal defenses.
The verdict has sparked broader discussion about personal responsibility versus corporate liability in alcohol service on cruise ships. While the jury held Carnival primarily liable, the 40% fault assigned to Sanders acknowledges that her voluntary consumption played a significant role in the incident.
Sanders has maintained that the company’s handling of the situation added to her distress following the painful injuries she sustained.
The appeal is expected to examine whether the evidence of visible intoxication was sufficient and whether Carnival’s policies and staff training met the required standard of care under maritime law.
