Video has emerged of the latest disruptive incident on a Carnival cruise ship, with multiple guests involved in the altercation even as security arrived.
The incident occurred on the Carnival Elation late Wednesday, July 6, as the ship was returning to its home port in Jacksonville at the end of a five-night voyage to the Bahamas.
According to reports from passengers who witnessed the incident, at least eight guests were directly involved, and several were injured. Some of the injured were just trying to intervene and stop the disturbance but were pushed aside instead.
Witnesses claim that the perpetrators knew each other, and it is possible that the incident escalated due to personal problems. Security was called and eventually broke up the assault.
Carnival Cruise Line released a brief statement to First Coast News about the incident, which read: “Our security team on Carnival Elation intervened in an altercation between guests. The case has been reported to the police and the investigation is ongoing. We will not tolerate behavior that disrupts the rest of other guests, and those who cause trouble will no longer be able to sail on our ships.”
The Fantasy-class Carnival Elation, which can accommodate up to 2,190 guests when fully booked, was concluding a 5-night voyage that departed Jacksonville on Saturday, July 2.
The ship called in Nassau on Monday, July 4th and Princess Cays on Tuesday, July 5th. Wednesday, the day of the incident, was Fun Day at Sea.
The ship returned to Jacksonville on schedule, and there was no delay in starting its next voyage, a 4-night sailing to the Bahamas.
This is not the only incident reported on a cruise ships in recent days. In late June, an altercation involving dozens of passengers aboard the Dream-class Carnival Magic broke out as the ship returned to New York after a cruise in the Eastern Caribbean.
That row was apparently sparked by accusations of infidelity on board. It began at approximately 2 a.m. on Monday, June 27, and moved through several decks as those involved moved around, pausing and continuing their discussion at various times until security finally broke up the group.
Following the incident, coastal authorities were contacted to interview those involved, as well as witnesses, to begin an investigation.
Another devastating episode was also recently reported aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager-class Navigator of the Seas in early July. About a dozen passengers took part in the incident on deck 5 of the ship, near the Promenade Cafe. The incident is believed to have taken place between family members.
Navigator of the Seas currently sails 3-4 night cruises from Los Angeles to Catalina and Ensenada.
When such situations occur, cruises quickly bring consequences. If the incident is violent, a brigade is available on board or individuals can be transferred to safe areas where they can be closely monitored at all times.
The cruise line may bar passengers from future sailings on one line or the company’s entire family of cruises, or passengers may be disembarked at the next port of call without a refund and help return to the port of embarkation for the cruise.
Coastal authorities may be brought in and those involved may also face legal consequences for their misconduct depending on the extent of the incident and whether injuries are reported.
As investigations into these recent incidents are still ongoing, there is no word yet on the final consequences for those involved.