Carnival cruise passenger over-served 14 tequila shots wins $300,000 payout

Diana Sanders was awarded US$300,000 after a jury found Carnival 60% liable for her injuries. Photo / Spencer Aronfeld

A California nurse has been awarded US$300,000 in damages after suing cruise operator Carnival Corporation for being over-served alcohol aboard one of its ships.

Diana Sanders, 45, filed a lawsuit against the Florida-based company, arguing she was overserved on January 5, 2024, court documents seen by People show.

According to the complaint, Sanders was served 14 shots of tequila, including multiple shots within a single hour, across six bars on the Radiance ship between 2.58pm and 11.37pm.

During the eight-and-a-half-hour drinking period, Sanders was “visibly intoxicated”, according to the complaint. It said she was “swaying, stammering, slurring her speech, had alcohol on her breath, and was acting belligerent while she was in plain view of the crew members serving her these alcoholic beverages”.

Sanders’ lawyer, Spencer Aronfeld, argued that the crew members were “negligent” by continuing to serve her alcohol.

According to the complaint, between 11.45pm and 12.20am Sanders fell after she stumbled while trying to walk down a set of stairs and “sustained severe injuries, including, but not limited to, a concussion, headaches, a possible traumatic brain injury, back injuries, tailbone injuries, bruising, and other injuries”.

Then, after 17 months of litigation, the case went to a trial by jury on April 6 which lasted four days, according to People.

The jury found both Carnival and Sanders were negligent, finding the cruise line was 60% liable and Sanders 40% liable.

Sanders was awarded US$300,000 for the emotional pain, suffering and mental anguish.

Carnival disagreed with the verdict, telling People it “believes there are grounds for a new trial and appeal, which it will pursue”.

After Sanders was awarded, she appeared with her lawyer on Instagram to talk about the case.

“Waking up after blacking out and going to the crew and asking them for help ... they treated me like a criminal.

“I was very concerned that they wouldn’t tell me exactly what happened to me.”

Sanders said she felt “bullied” through the whole experience.

“I felt like everything they did was to either mentally torment me or financially torment me. It was a lot for the last two years.”