Carnival Liable for Passenger Injuries, Over-Intoxication A federal jury has found Carnival Corporation liable for injuries sustained by a passenger who fell while heavily intoxicated on one of its cruises. The jury awarded $300,000 in damages, citing negligence in overserving alcohol and a ship security officer's misleading statement that may have prevented the passenger from investigating a potential sexual assault. A federal jury in Florida has held Carnival Corporation liable for injuries sustained by a passenger who fell while heavily intoxicated on one of its cruises. The jury awarded $300,000 in damages to Diana Sanders, finding the cruise line negligent for overserving her alcohol. Sanders' legal team argued that Carnival actively promotes and facilitates alcohol consumption on its ships, citing Sanders' purchase of an all-inclusive drink package as evidence. According to the lawsuit, Sanders boarded the ship Radiance on January 5, 2026, and began consuming alcohol shortly before 3 p.m. Over the next approximately eight and a half hours, she visited multiple bars and was served 14 alcoholic beverages. She alleged that her intoxication was apparent to crew members, who should have ceased serving her. Shortly after, she fell while descending a staircase, sustaining severe injuries. Her complaint detailed that she was visibly swaying, slurring her speech, and exhibiting belligerent behavior due to her intoxication. In addition to the overserving claim, Sanders accused a ship security officer of misinforming her about the availability of CCTV footage. The officer reportedly told Sanders that surveillance cameras captured the entire incident of her fall and showed nothing unusual occurring. Sanders contended that the officer should have recognized the falsity of this statement, particularly given the visible injuries she sustained. The jury's verdict acknowledged shared negligence between Carnival and Sanders but placed the majority of the responsibility on the cruise line. Carnival Corporation has stated that it respectfully disagrees with the verdict and intends to pursue grounds for a new trial and appeal. The cruise line's defense likely centered on passenger responsibility and the inherent risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. However, Sanders' legal representatives emphasized that Carnival, rather than limiting passenger intake, encourages it, creating a potentially hazardous environment. The lawsuit further alleged that Carnival should have recognized the dangers of serving alcohol in proximity to areas where accidents, like stairwell falls, could occur. Adding a further disturbing layer to the case, Sanders’ second allegation concerned a 35-minute period where she was not recorded by closed-circuit cameras. She claimed that based on the security officer's assurance of continuous surveillance, she declined a rape kit examination, despite concerns that she may have been sexually assaulted during this blind spot in camera coverage. Her attorney stated that this uncertainty has caused her extreme mental anguish. While Carnival plans to appeal, this verdict highlights the responsibilities cruise lines have in managing the safety of passengers, especially in relation to alcohol service and the potential consequences of misrepresentation by staff