Carnival Cruise Line Bans Passengers After Latest Violent Brawl

MIAMI, Florida – A violent brawl erupted aboard the Carnival Sunrise on Saturday, June 7, 2025, prompting the cruise line to impose lifetime bans on all passengers involved. The incident took place around 5:30 p.m. while the ship was en route from Half Moon Cay, a private island in the Bahamas.

The fight occurred on the Lido Deck, near the ship’s pizzeria, and was documented by other guests. A video shared by the popular YouTube channel, Cruise News Today With Doug Parker, shows a passenger throwing a chair in the air as bystanders rushed to avoid the chaos.

Carnival’s security team quickly intervened to de-escalate the situation. Fortunately, there were no severe injuries reported. However, the cruise line acted swiftly, confirming that all guests involved would be banned from future voyages.

One witness recounted the event, stating, “The man is locked up in his room with security outside 24/7.” It remains unclear how long the guest will remain confined.

Passengers expressed disbelief over the incident, particularly given the brevity of the cruise. Many criticized the behavior of those involved, suggesting that a lifetime ban is necessary to deter future violence. Carnival has long enforced a ‘zero-tolerance policy’ against physical altercations.

Earlier this year, in April, the cruise line banned 24 guests following another brawl during debarkation in Galveston, Texas. Another incident reportedly involved a minor, a nine-year-old, leading to a lifetime ban after damaging arcade equipment and engaging in a fight.

Carnival Cruise Line has reiterated its strict policies regarding passenger behavior. Violating these policies can result in fines, stateroom confinement, or removal from the ship at the guest’s expense. Guests must acknowledge the cruise line’s Code of Conduct during check-in, which states that disruptive behavior is not tolerated.

Given the recent spate of violence, Carnival has begun issuing letters to guests at the start of each cruise, reminding them of the ‘Have Fun, Be Safe’ guidelines and the potential consequences of violating them. Carnival’s increasing measures come in response to the negative headlines surrounding such incidents.