Carnival Cruise Line has banned 16 individuals from future travel following a significant altercation that occurred as passengers were disembarking the Carnival Conquest at Port Miami. The incident took place on Monday morning as the ship docked after a trip to the Bahamas.
Video footage captured the brawl, which reportedly began between two women in the customs line. The dispute quickly escalated, drawing in numerous other passengers. During the chaos, suitcases and personal belongings were thrown, and at one point, a man was seen holding a stanchion over his head.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers were present and attempted to break up the fight. According to a CBP spokesperson, one officer sustained a minor injury during the altercation. No arrests were made, as the parties involved reportedly declined to press charges.
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that the 16 banned individuals have been placed on its 'Do Not Sail List.' A company spokesperson stated, "We do not tolerate such behavior" and acknowledged the swift response of law enforcement.
The cruise line noted that the incident occurred in the debarkation area, which is under the authority of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
While the exact cause of the fight remains unclear, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office indicated that the dispute was between two families. Bystanders in the viral video were heard suggesting a child was involved, though this has not been confirmed.
The Carnival Conquest docked at 8 a.m. on Monday and departed again at 3 p.m. the same day. This incident follows a separate altercation on a Carnival cruise ship in March, where two women faced federal court citations for simple assault after a dispute over a queue. Their case is set for a final decision in August if no further incidents occur.