Florida (WSVN) -- Jungle Queen Riverboats, a popular river cruise in South Florida, is facing legal action after two women claim they were drugged during their trip. The cruise, marketed as a family-friendly experience complete with dinner and entertainment in Fort Lauderdale, quickly turned into a nightmare for Karren Hanson and Teresa Viscovich.

The incident occurred shortly after the women boarded the boat, expecting a relaxing girls’ trip. However, Teresa Viscovich noticed something was wrong within the first 15 minutes. “My speech was slurred. I couldn’t walk right,” Viscovich recounted, signaling that something was amiss.

The following day, they reported their experience to the police. The police investigation revealed that the women suspected their bartender might have been responsible for drugging their drinks, as he had been texting them to meet up after the cruise. Viscovich highlighted that the bar’s setup made it impossible for them to see the bartender's actions.

Despite their immediate actions, the police found no video evidence on the cruise and were unable to confirm who might have put anything in their drinks. However, subsequent hair tests showed traces of GHB, a substance often used in date rape.

“I’ve never done drugs a day in my life,” Viscovich stated, expressing her shock.

The women have since filed a lawsuit against Jungle Queens Inc., accusing the company of failing to safeguard its passengers. In response, a lawyer for Jungle Queens Inc. issued a statement emphasizing the company's commitment to safety and claiming that their investigation found no evidence to support the allegations. They also mentioned that the women had texted a crew member post-cruise, indicating they had a great time, which the company used to argue that the claims were baseless.

Despite the company’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit for lack of evidence, the case is progressing. The legal battle unfolds as the women deal with significant personal repercussions from the event. Viscovich, for instance, has had to give up her nursing license due to ongoing memory issues, a loss that she describes as removing a critical part of her identity. Both women also suffer from severe anxiety, leading Hanson to withdraw from many social activities she previously enjoyed, no longer feeling safe.

This alarming case has deeply affected the lives of the two women and raises concerns about safety measures and accountability in recreational settings.