The family of a 66-year-old cruise passenger, Dulcie White, has filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean, alleging that the company’s negligence led to her falling overboard and dying during a five-day Taylor Swift-themed cruise in the Bahamas.
White reportedly fell to her death in front of her daughter, Megan Klewin, after she was allegedly served too much alcohol aboard the Allure of the Seas. Her body has not been recovered.
According to the lawsuit, filed on October 28 in the Southern District of Florida, Royal Caribbean staff continued serving Dulcie alcohol even though she was clearly intoxicated.
The filing states: “She was swaying, stammering, slurring her speech, smelled of alcohol, struggled to keep her balance, and had glassy eyes — all in plain view of crew members who kept serving her drinks.”
The complaint says White consumed at least seven alcoholic beverages in just over six hours. A fellow passenger eventually intervened, stopping her from drinking more and helping her to her cabin around 7:30 p.m.
Moments later, Megan witnessed her mother climb over the balcony railing and fall into the ocean. “She was completely intoxicated in a way I’ve never seen before,” she told CBS Miami. “It breaks my heart that this is my final memory of her.”
The lawsuit brings three claims against the company: overserving alcohol, failing to conduct a proper search and rescue, and inflicting emotional distress.
The family alleges that the ship failed to follow standard man-overboard procedures, claiming no Williamson or Anderson turn — maneuvers used in emergency recoveries — was performed, and no rescue boat was deployed.
Royal Caribbean said its crew immediately notified authorities as required, but the Royal Bahamas Defense Force called off the search within 24 hours.
Dulcie had purchased an all-inclusive “CHEERS!” alcohol package costing $69.95 per day, allowing up to 15 alcoholic drinks in 24 hours. Megan believes this may have contributed to her mother’s excessive drinking. “She probably just wanted to get her money’s worth,” she said. “This will haunt us forever. I believe the overconsumption and overserving of alcohol caused this.”
The family’s attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, told PEOPLE: “We believe Royal Caribbean is prioritizing profits over passenger safety with these unlimited-drink packages. We aim to hold them fully responsible for Dulcie’s death and push for industry reforms.”
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said the company will not comment further on the ongoing litigation.
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