A Cruise Turned Tragic: When Fun Went Too Far

A man's life ended tragically on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Michael Virgil, a 35-year-old from Southern California, was on a trip with his fiancée, son, and family. He had an "all you can drink" package. Over seven hours, he consumed 33 drinks. This led to a violent outburst. Virgil became aggressive, threatening crew members and passengers. He was so drunk he couldn't find his room. Video footage showed Virgil punching walls. Crew members tried to restrain him. They used force, putting their full weight on him. This led to his death. The medical examiner ruled it a homicide. Virgil's blood alcohol level was nearly double the legal limit. His cause of death was mechanical asphyxia, combined with obesity, an enlarged heart, and alcohol poisoning. After Virgil's death, the ship did not return to port. His fiancée begged for it. But the cruise line refused. Instead, they put Virgil's body in a refrigerator. The ship continued its three-day trip to Mexico. The family's attorney criticized this decision. He compared Virgil's death to George Floyd's. Both involved excessive force and asphyxia. There are disputes about what exactly happened. The lawsuit claims crew members used pepper spray and a sedative. But the medical examiner found no evidence of the drug in Virgil's system. The FBI is investigating the case. The family's attorney said Virgil's behavior was out of character. He was scared and acting out of fear. But they argue he didn't deserve to die. This incident raises questions about cruise ship safety. How much responsibility do crew members have? Should they have cut Virgil off earlier? The family wants answers. They want justice for their loved one. This tragedy could have been prevented.