Cruise Lines Can Be Liable for Injuries Caused by Overservice of Alcohol

A cruise vacation is supposed to be a time to relax and enjoy yourself. Many passengers purchase drink packages or spend time at the ship’s bars, lounges, and restaurants. While serving alcohol is a normal part of the cruise experience, cruise lines also have a responsibility to serve alcohol responsibly.

Unfortunately, there are often times when cruise bartenders continue serving alcohol to passengers who they know or should have known are too intoxicated to continue drinking. This is known as overservice of alcohol, and it can lead to serious injuries for the intoxicated passenger and others on board.

What is Overservice of Alcohol?

Overservice of alcohol may occur when a crew member continues serving alcoholic beverages to a passenger who appears dangerously intoxicated or whose behavior suggests that further drinking could create a serious risk of harm.

Signs of alcohol impairment may include:

• Slurred speech
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Impaired judgment
• Aggressive or erratic behavior
• Glassy or bloodshot eyes
• An inability to care for themselves

Injuries That Can Be Caused by Overservice of Alcohol

Cruise lines train their employees to recognize signs of intoxication. When crew members ignore these indicators and continue serving alcohol, the risk of injuries dramatically increases.

Excessive alcohol consumption aboard a cruise ship can lead to a wide variety of accidents and injuries, including but not limited to:

• Slip and falls
• Trip and falls
• Physical altercations
• Sexual assaults
• Alcohol related medical emergencies
• Falling overboard
• Drowning

Evidence That May Help Support an Overservice Claim

Evidence can help show how much alcohol was served, whether crew members should have recognized signs of intoxication, and how the overservice contributed to the injury. Relevant evidence may include:

• Bar receipts and drink-package records
• Surveillance footage
• Witness statements
• Incident reports
• Onboard medical records
• Photos, videos, or communications from the cruise

Because some evidence may be difficult to obtain after a cruise ends, speaking with an attorney promptly can help preserve important records.

Is a Cruise Line Always Liable for Overservice?

Although every case is different, a cruise line may be legally responsible if its employees

continued serving alcohol to a passenger that they knew or should have known was intoxicated, and that overservice contributed to an injury.

Contact Our Experienced Cruise Ship Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one was injured on a cruise and believes overservice of alcohol played a

role in the accident, you may have legal rights under maritime law. One of our experienced

maritime attorneys can investigate whether the cruise line failed to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. Our attorneys have experience representing injured cruise passengers and understand the unique legal issues involved in claims against cruise lines. 

Contact our office today for a free case evaluation. We can review the facts of your case, explain your legal options, and help you determine whether the cruise line may be liable for your injuries.