The family of 66-year-old Dulcie White has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Group following her disappearance from the cruise ship Allure of the Seas during a Taylor Swift-themed voyage.
What Happened
- The incident occurred on October 22, 2024, when the ship was about 17 miles north of Nassau in the Bahamas. White, from Westmoreland, New York, had purchased the cruise’s “CHEERS!” unlimited alcoholic drinks package. Her daughter claims White consumed at least seven alcoholic beverages within approximately six hours and eight minutes.
- According to the lawsuit, White displayed visible signs of intoxication—slurred speech, glassy eyes, swaying—yet was continued to be served by crew members.
- Later in the evening, White climbed out onto the balcony of her cabin, sat on the railing, and then fell overboard in the view of her daughter. Her body was never recovered.
- The suit alleges that the cruise ship failed to perform standard “man-overboard” maneuvers such as the Williamson or Anderson turn, and never deployed a rescue boat in a timely manner.
Legal Claims
White’s family, represented by attorney Spencer Aronfeld, is suing on grounds of:
- Over-service of alcohol (crew serving a visibly intoxicated guest)
- Negligent search and rescue (ship’s response alleged to be inadequate)
- Negligent infliction of emotional distress (family trauma from incident)
They aim not only for compensation but for systemic change, calling for cruise lines to discontinue unlimited-drink packages that they argue incentivize over-service.
Why This Matters
- The case highlights the risks associated with unlimited beverage packages on cruise ships, especially when passenger oversight is inadequate.
- It raises questions about cruise lines’ duty of care to passengers who may become impaired and the adequacy of rescue protocols when accidents happen at sea.
- The lack of recovery of White’s body adds to the family’s anguish and intensifies scrutiny of the ship’s emergency response.
