Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas returned to PortMiami on Monday evening after an onboard altercation injured several passengers, officials and witnesses said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel and local law enforcement responded to the ship, and two passengers were taken to a hospital for treatment.
Passengers on the four-day Bahamas cruise reported that the captain announced the return to port after the disturbance. Witnesses told local media they saw people running toward the pool area as crew and security moved through public spaces. Images posted on social media and obtained by local news outlets showed a heavy police presence and multiple ambulances on the dock as the ship arrived.
Royal Caribbean said in a written statement that its team "provided medical care to adult guests who were involved in an altercation onboard, and the guests are being treated for their injuries. We notified local authorities and are working closely with them. As this is an ongoing investigation, we have no more information to share at this time." Miami-Dade Fire Rescue confirmed it responded to the call and provided care to adult guests on the vessel.
Local television station WSVN reported that about a dozen people were escorted off the ship, citing passengers who posted comments and messages from the scene. Cruise tracking data showed the Wonder of the Seas departed PortMiami at about 4:30 p.m. Eastern for a round-trip sailing that included stops at CocoCay and Nassau before returning to Miami later that night.
Wonder of the Seas is one of the world’s largest cruise ships, rated to accommodate more than 5,600 guests. Large ships operate with dedicated security and medical teams and maintain protocols for on-board disturbances and medical emergencies; Royal Caribbean’s statement indicated the company followed those procedures and notified local authorities.
Authorities have said the incident is under investigation. No further details about the cause of the altercation, any arrests or the current condition of the injured passengers had been released late Monday. The company and local officials did not immediately provide additional information about the number of people removed from the vessel or whether the itinerary will be adjusted for upcoming sailings.
The ship’s return to port prompted heightened scrutiny from passengers and local officials, and images and accounts from those on board circulated rapidly on social media. Royal Caribbean and Miami-area authorities said they were cooperating as the investigation continues.