Dozens of Carnival Cruise passengers have been permanently banned from the cruise line after a violent brawl erupted during disembarkation in Galveston, Texas, leaving scattered luggage, terrified onlookers, and at least one person arrested.
Key Takeaways
- A massive brawl involving over 20 passengers broke out as travelers disembarked from the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship in Galveston, Texas.
- Carnival Cruise Line permanently banned 24 individuals by placing them on their “Do Not Sail” list following the incident.
- Video footage of the fight went viral, receiving over 1.2 million views and showing passengers kicking, punching, and screaming while luggage was scattered around.
- The incident occurred in the debarkation area under U.S. Customs and Border Patrol authority and resulted in at least one arrest.
- The cause of the brawl remains unknown, though the cruise line maintains a zero-tolerance policy for such behavior.
Caribbean Vacation Ends in Chaos
What should have been the end of a relaxing seven-day Caribbean cruise turned into chaos at the Galveston, Texas port when a violent brawl erupted among passengers disembarking from the Carnival Jubilee. The cruise had made stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, as well as Roatán, Honduras before returning to its home port where the incident occurred. Mobile phone footage captured passengers pushing past barriers and engaging in physical confrontations, with luggage and personal belongings scattered across the terminal floor.
The violent scene was witnessed by other passengers, including children who were seen watching from a distance as security officers attempted to break up the fight. Despite intervention efforts, the brawl continued and spread to different areas of the disembarkation zone. The situation escalated to the point where travelers were seen punching and kicking one another, with some individuals even being assaulted while on the ground. Open suitcases and personal items were thrown about during the melee.
NEW: 24 people have been banned from Carnival Cruise Line after a massive brawl broke out when the ship docked in Galveston, Texas over the weekend.
One man was seen getting pulverized on the ground by multiple people after he fell down.
"The incident occurred in the… pic.twitter.com/5qeAI9LJOq
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 29, 2025
Swift Consequences for Involved Passengers
Carnival Cruise Line took immediate action following the incident, placing 24 individuals on their “Do Not Sail” list, effectively banning them from all future cruises with the company. Unlike the federal No Fly List which applies to all commercial air travel in the United States, Carnival’s ban is specific to their cruise line only.
“We will not tolerate such behavior, and 24 people have been placed on our Do Not Sail list,” said a Carnival Cruise Line spokesperson.
The incident quickly went viral on social media, with one video receiving over 1.2 million views. The footage sparked widespread disbelief and criticism online, with many expressing shock at the behavior displayed by the cruise passengers. This isn’t the first time Carnival has dealt with passenger misconduct, as a similar incident occurred in 2022 when another large brawl broke out over a personal dispute, indicating an ongoing challenge for cruise operators in maintaining order.
Legal Ramifications and Investigation
The matter has been referred to law enforcement authorities, as the incident occurred in the debarkation area under the jurisdiction of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. At least one arrest has been confirmed, though the specific charges have not yet been disclosed to the public. Local police are now handling the investigation, working to determine the exact cause of the brawl, which remains unclear according to official statements.
The cruise line has maintained that such conduct undermines the vacation experience for other guests and will not be permitted on their vessels. For the thousands of law-abiding passengers who take cruises each year, incidents like this raise concerns about security measures and passenger screening protocols, signaling that cruise lines might need to strengthen to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
