A Caribbean vacation aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Luna became the subject of a multimillion-dollar federal lawsuit after a California grandmother said she was removed from the ship over a disputed half-bottle of wine and left without medication needed to manage multiple sclerosis. Dayna Zegarelli alleges that ship personnel wrongly accused her of theft, ordered her to disembark in the British Virgin Islands, and gave her too little time to collect her belongings. She claims the resulting interruption in treatment aggravated an existing eye condition and caused substantial physical and emotional harm.
Zegarelli filed the lawsuit on August 26, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Her complaint seeks at least $5 million in compensatory damages, along with punitive damages and other relief. The filing raises questions about how cruise operators handle disputes with passengers, particularly when a traveler has a serious medical condition. All descriptions of misconduct and injury are allegations made by Zegarelli; the lawsuit itself does not establish that the defendants violated the law.
What Happened Aboard the Norwegian Luna?
According to the complaint, Zegarelli and her partner boarded the Norwegian Luna in Miami on August 8, 2026, for a seven-day Caribbean sailing. They stayed in The Haven, the ship’s premium suite area, which offers private amenities and certain complimentary beverages. Zegarelli says she understood that wine served in designated Haven areas was included with the accommodations.
About four days into the trip, she took a half-bottle of wine from The Haven’s private bar while returning to her suite. The complaint says she placed the bottle in her purse because carrying it that way was easier with her multiple sclerosis. The following day, security personnel directed her to report to the ship’s security office. There, she says, she was told that Captain Robert Lundberg had ordered her removal for taking the wine.
Zegarelli disputes the accusation. Her complaint says a security official argued that she had failed to show her Haven keycard before being served. She maintains that staff already knew she was a Haven guest and that her partner had received a complimentary drink without presenting a card. The complaint also alleges that the theft accusation was made in front of her family, including her eight-year-old granddaughter.
Why Was She Removed in Tortola?
The ship was making a port call at Tortola in the British Virgin Islands when Zegarelli was instructed to leave, according to the lawsuit. She says security personnel emphasized that the vessel would depart on schedule and allowed her only a short period to pack. Zegarelli alleges that the sudden removal and public accusation left her distressed and disoriented.
The complaint does not merely challenge the interpretation of the beverage policy. It questions whether the response to a disputed item was reasonable under the circumstances and whether ship personnel adequately considered a passenger’s medical needs. The defendants may contest the account, the application of the beverage rules, and the claimed consequences as litigation proceeds.
What Medical Harm Does the Lawsuit Allege?
Zegarelli says she forgot to collect essential prescription medications while hurriedly packing. After leaving the ship, she reportedly contacted her neurologist in the United States but could not obtain replacement prescriptions in the British Virgin Islands. Her complaint describes the interruption as especially dangerous because her multiple sclerosis requires continuing treatment.
The filing alleges that missed doses and the stress of the incident worsened previously controlled optic lesions, creating a risk of vision loss. It also describes panic attacks, headaches, nausea, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and substantial expenses for medical and psychological treatment. These medical effects and their connection to the shipboard incident are disputed matters that would require proof if the case proceeds. The complaint’s statement about a risk of blindness should not be confused with a finding that Zegarelli became blind.
Who Is Named in the Federal Case?
The federal docket identifies Dayna Zegarelli as the plaintiff and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd. and Robert Lundberg as defendants. Reporting based on the complaint also describes allegations involving the ship’s head of security. The court’s case number is 2:26-cv-09524.
The docket categorizes the matter as a marine-related contract case and lists a diversity-based civil cause of action. Such docket labels are administrative classifications; they do not resolve the substance of the claims. Zegarelli is represented by attorney Michael R. Perry. A spokesperson for Norwegian did not respond to The Independent’s request for comment when its August 28 report was published.
Why Is Zegarelli Seeking at Least $5 Million?
The complaint requests a minimum of $5 million in compensatory damages for alleged physical injury, emotional distress, medical expenses, and loss of enjoyment. It also seeks punitive damages, interest, and legal costs. Compensatory damages are intended to address proven losses, while punitive damages—when available under the governing law—serve a different purpose and require additional legal justification.
The requested figure is not a settlement, judgment, or payment already awarded. A court or jury would have to decide whether the defendants are legally responsible and, if so, what damages are supported by the evidence. The eventual recovery could differ substantially from the amount demanded.
Current Status of the Dayna Zegarelli Lawsuit
The federal case was filed on August 26, 2026. The publicly accessible docket listing reviewed for this report identifies the complaint and the parties but states that its information was last retrieved on the filing date. It therefore does not provide a reliable basis to claim that the court has entered a judgment, approved a settlement, or dismissed the case.
As of October 31, 2026, no final outcome was established by the sources reviewed. The central questions remain whether the wine was covered by the Haven benefits, whether the removal was warranted, how ship personnel handled Zegarelli’s medical situation, and whether the alleged injuries resulted from their conduct. Those questions should be answered through the evidence and subsequent court proceedings rather than by assuming the allegations have been proven.
