Violent Fight on Carnival Sunrise Leads to Bans for Passengers

MIAMI, Florida — A violent fight broke out aboard the Carnival Sunrise cruise ship over the weekend, leading to multiple passengers being banned from sailing with the cruise line in the future. The incident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, after the ship departed from the line’s private island in the Bahamas.

The Carnival Sunrise was on a four-night round-trip sailing from Miami, which started on June 5, 2025. Footage shared on social media shows guests throwing chairs as fellow passengers hurried to escape the chaos. This brawl took place near the complimentary pizzeria, where many were grabbing a snack after their day in the sun.

Carnival’s security team quickly intervened to control the situation and restrain those involved. Following the incident, the cruise line announced that the passengers involved would not be allowed on Carnival ships again. According to a guest on board, some individuals involved in the fight were confined to their cabins with security present outside.

While cruise lines do have protocols for dealing with disruptive behavior, guests can also be removed from the ship entirely, leaving them responsible for their own travel arrangements, which may include paying for last-minute flights. Carnival’s Code of Conduct clearly states that “disruptive behavior is not tolerated” and that any guest whose actions negatively affect others will be disembarked at their own cost.

In April 2025, a similar incident occurred during disembarkation at Galveston’s terminal, resulting in a young passenger from Chicago being charged with serious bodily injury. Following such events, Carnival has frequently been criticized for its reputation concerning onboard behavior.

Social media reactions highlight the public’s perception of Carnival, with some referring to it as “the Walmart of the seas.” Passengers expressed their frustrations over the disruptive behavior seen on their cruises.

Additionally, past incidents involving social media compliance have caused guests to be banned from future sailings. One guest, Courtney Murley, was banned after posting a TikTok about smuggling alcohol onto the Carnival Conquest.

As Carnival continues to address the issue of onboard safety and conduct, the cruise line encourages all guests to thoroughly understand the cruise contract prior to boarding.