Family Sues Royal Caribbean Over Overserved Alcohol Before Overboard

The family of Dulcie White, a 66-year-old passenger who went overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas during an October 2024 sailing near the Bahamas, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging the cruise line continued serving her alcohol while she was visibly intoxicated.

The complaint centers on White’s disappearance on Oct. 22, 2024, during a four-night “Taylor Swift”-themed cruise. She was traveling with her daughter, Megan Klewin, when the incident occurred about 17 miles north of Nassau, Bahamas. White, of Westmoreland, New York, was never found after a search involving U.S. and Bahamian authorities.

Alcohol-service allegations tied to a drink package

The lawsuit claims onboard staff repeatedly served White alcohol despite signs she was impaired. In the filing, the family alleges she was served seven alcoholic drinks over roughly six hours, and that her condition included slurred speech, stammering, swaying, difficulty standing, and glassy eyes, which the family says should have been apparent to crew members.

Klewin told CBS that “she was completely intoxicated in a way I haven’t seen before. It saddens me that that is my last memory of her.” Klewin also said the drink-package model can encourage passengers to try to “get her money’s worth,” and she alleged that tipping incentives can push service in the wrong direction.

The family’s attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, argued that staff should have stopped serving alcohol if White was visibly impaired. “Each of these crew members were negligent for continuing to serve her alcoholic beverages in her intoxicated state,” Aronfeld said.

What Klewin says happened on the balcony

According to Klewin, luggage had been placed on the cabin balcony to free up space inside the stateroom. She said she initially believed her mother had stepped outside to check a bag, then saw her move onto the balcony railing.

“I wasn’t looking and the next chance that I did look up, I saw her back,” Klewin said. “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.”

In addition to framing the incident as a fall connected to intoxication and alleged overservice, the case also highlights differing characterizations of what happened. Local authorities later stated that White jumped from the ship, while the family’s lawsuit presents the incident as a fall after she climbed onto the railing.

Search effort and dispute over the ship’s response

After White went overboard on the evening of Oct. 22, 2024, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the U.S. Coast Guard searched the area using aircraft and helicopters. Royal Caribbean also deployed additional vessels to assist, including Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. Despite those efforts, White was not located, and the search was discontinued the following day.

The family’s lawsuit also challenges the ship’s immediate response, alleging Allure of the Seas did not stop or turn around and did not deploy rescue boats. Royal Caribbean has said the crew initiated search-and-rescue efforts and worked with authorities. At the time, a company spokesperson confirmed the overboard incident and said: “Our crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort and is working with local authorities.”

Royal Caribbean has declined to discuss the lawsuit’s specific allegations, saying it does not comment on pending litigation.

Where the lawsuit was filed and what it seeks

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in federal court in Miami, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The suit was filed by White’s husband, Terry White, on behalf of her estate.

Beyond seeking to hold the cruise line responsible for what the family describes as a foreseeable risk created by continued alcohol service to an allegedly impaired guest, the legal action also raises broader policy concerns. White’s family and their attorney have called for cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and other major operators such as Carnival and Norwegian, to reconsider all-you-can-drink style offerings.

Drink-package practices and the wider debate

White had purchased an alcohol package that her family says cost $69.95 per day and included up to 15 drinks daily. Aronfeld criticized the marketing of such packages and said, “Royal Caribbean didn’t just sell drinks; it sold danger.” He also said he hopes the case prompts cruise lines to discontinue all-you-can-drink alcohol packages that, in the family’s view, encourage overconsumption.

The case has also prompted arguments about where responsibility lies. Critics of the lawsuit have suggested that seven drinks over roughly six hours may not constitute overservice for all individuals, depending on factors such as tolerance or medication use, while safety advocates argue cruise lines should apply stricter responsible-service practices. Some cruise operators have imposed daily drink limits on packages, although White’s family argues limits alone would not have prevented this incident based on the amount of alcohol alleged in the complaint.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When and where did Dulcie White go overboard from Allure of the Seas?

White went overboard on Oct. 22, 2024, while Allure of the Seas was sailing about 17 miles north of Nassau, Bahamas, according to the lawsuit and related accounts.

What does the lawsuit allege about alcohol service onboard?

The complaint alleges crew members continued serving White alcohol despite visible signs of intoxication. The filing claims she was served seven alcoholic drinks over roughly six hours, while exhibiting signs including slurred speech, swaying, and difficulty standing.

How do accounts differ about how White went overboard?

The family’s lawsuit describes the incident as a fall after White climbed onto her cabin’s balcony railing while intoxicated. Local authorities later stated that White jumped from the ship, which differs from the family’s account.

What has been said about the search effort and the ship’s response?

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the U.S. Coast Guard searched using helicopters and aircraft, and Royal Caribbean said it deployed Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas to assist. The family’s lawsuit alleges Allure of the Seas did not stop or deploy rescue boats, while Royal Caribbean has said its crew “immediately launched a search and rescue effort and is working with local authorities,” and the company has declined further comment due to pending litigation.

Where was the case filed and who filed it?

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami by White’s husband, Terry White, on behalf of her estate.