A luxury cruise aboard the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, descended into chaos this week as a violent brawl involving dozens of passengers erupted, forcing the vessel to cut its voyage short.
Shocking mobile phone footage captured onboard shows the spectacular fracas, with holidaymakers throwing punches, wrestling on the floor, and screaming in a packed corridor. The altercation was so severe that the colossal ship, which can carry nearly 7,000 guests, was compelled to return to Port Canaveral, Florida, a day early.
Shocking Scenes at Sea
The viral video shows the centre of the brawl, with at least two men seen trading blows on the ground as a large crowd of spectators gathers around them. A woman can be heard screaming "Somebody help!" repeatedly, adding to the bedlam. Another clip shows a separate fight breaking out nearby, suggesting the disturbance spread rapidly through the deck.
According to reports, the fight began as a dispute between two family groups onboard and quickly escalated into a full-scale melee. Security personnel from Royal Caribbean intervened to break up the brawl and detained those involved.
Voyage Cut Short
The consequences of the altercation were immediate and significant. Instead of completing its scheduled seven-night itinerary, which included a stop in Nassau, Bahamas, the Wonder of the Seas made a beeline back to its home port.
In a statement, a Royal Caribbean International spokesperson said: "The following sailing of Wonder of the Seas was delayed while security and local law enforcement conducted a full investigation. The ship is now en route to her next port of call. We have a zero-tolerance policy for this kind of behaviour and the guests involved were removed from the ship."
The incident highlights the challenges cruise lines face in maintaining safety and order amongst thousands of passengers, even on their most advanced and luxurious vessels.
