Friday, August 28, 2026
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Suit Asserts Cruise Line Accused Passenger of Theft, Ejected Her From Ship at Foreign Port
Allegation of Stealing Wine Said to Be False; Plaintiff Was Purportedly Cast Out Without Her Needed Medication Which She Was Unable to Obtain Abroad
By a MetNews Staff Writer
A Los Angeles woman has brought suit against the Norwegian Cruise Line claiming $5 million in compensatory damages based on being accused during a cruise of theft based on taking to her stateroom a half bottle of wine from the bar, in an area of a ship where alcohol was complimentary, and being ejected from the vessel at a port in the Virgin Islands, with crucial medication left behind and no means of obtaining refills abroad.
Dayna Zegarelli’s complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Wednesday.
The pleading, prepared by Ladera Heights attorney Michael R. Perry, says that “all food, beverages and alcohol are complimentary while staying within the Haven Suites” on a ship that left from Miami. It avers:
“On…August 12, 2026, Plaintiff was in the bar within the Haven Suites and put a half bottle of wine in her purse before she headed back to her suite. Plaintiff was of understanding that the half bottle of wine was complimentary. She placed the bottle of wine in her pursue to make it easier for her to carry the bottle as she has Multiple Sclerosis….Had Plaintiff known that there might be an issue with her removing the half bottle of wine from the bar, she would have merely contacted the butler assigned to her suite and ordered a full bottle of wine be delivered complimentary.”
Accused of Stealing
The complaint alleges that the following day, Zegarelli was accused of being a thief in front of Joe Davis, her host on the cruise, and two other persons, including her eight-year-old granddaughter. It adds:
“…Further, Defendant’s employees, agents, or representatives accused Plaintiff of stealing the bottle of wine. Defendant’s employees, agents, or representatives made these accusations loudly, publicly, and in the presence of other passengers and crew members. The accusations were false.”
In being ejected, the pleading says, “Plaintiff was in tears, extremely scattered, extremely embarrassed, mortified, humiliated, physically ill and very, very shaken.”
It adds that her neurologist, whom she immediately contacted, was powerless to prescribe medication extraterritorially and that she went without a prescription, “causing lesions on Plaintiff’s eyes that were under control” to be “exacerbated.” Such lesions, it is noted, “can lead to blindness.”
Consequences of Conduct
The pleading goes on to say (with paragraph numbering omitted):
“As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s conduct, Plaintiff suffered and continues to suffer severe emotional distress, including but not limited to: humiliation, shame, anxiety, depression, fear, sleeplessness, loss of consortium, and other emotional injuries.
“As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s conduct, Plaintiff suffered and continues to suffer physical manifestations of emotional distress and personal injury, including but not limited to: exacerbation of the lesions in her eyes, headaches, nausea, elevated blood pressure, panic attacks, other physical symptoms or injuries.”
Causes of action are stated for intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress and negligence. Punitive damages are sought.
The case is Zegarelli v. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd., 2:26cv9524.
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