A vacation turned to chaos as two dozen Carnival Jubilee cruise passengers found themselves permanently banned after a massive brawl erupted during disembarkation at the Galveston, Texas port.
Top Takeaways
- 24 passengers have been placed on Carnival Cruise Line’s permanent “Do Not Sail” list following a violent altercation
- The brawl, which involved more than 20 people, broke out as passengers were disembarking from a 7-day Caribbean vacation
- Video footage of the incident went viral with over 1.2 million views, showing passengers kicking, punching, and screaming
- At least one arrest was made as the matter was turned over to law enforcement
- The cause of the fight remains unclear as investigation continues
Vacation Ends in Chaos
What should have been the end of a relaxing seven-day Caribbean vacation turned into a scene of pandemonium at the Galveston cruise terminal. Passengers disembarking from the Carnival Jubilee became involved in a violent altercation that quickly escalated into a full-scale brawl involving more than 20 individuals. The incident, which occurred in the customs area of the terminal, was captured on video and quickly went viral across social media platforms. Footage shows passengers pushing past barriers, throwing punches, and scattering luggage across the terminal floor.
The Carnival Jubilee had just completed a week-long western Caribbean itinerary with stops in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatán before returning to Texas. What specifically triggered the melee remains unknown, though the chaotic scenes show security personnel attempting unsuccessfully to break up multiple fights that spread throughout the disembarkation area. Children could be seen watching from a distance as adults engaged in the violent confrontation that left personal belongings strewn across the floor.
NEW: 24 people have been banned from Carnival Cruise Line after a massive brawl broke out when the ship docked in Galveston, Texas over the weekend.
One man was seen getting pulverized on the ground by multiple people after he fell down.
"The incident occurred in the… pic.twitter.com/5qeAI9LJOq
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 29, 2025
Carnival’s Swift Response
Carnival Cruise Line wasted no time responding to the incident, implementing one of the harshest penalties available to cruise operators. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that 24 individuals involved in the brawl have been permanently banned from sailing with the cruise line. The punishment aligns with the company’s strict stance on passenger misconduct, particularly when it involves violence or threatens the safety and comfort of other guests.
“We will not tolerate such behavior, and 24 people have been placed on our Do Not Sail list,” said a Carnival Cruise Line spokesperson.
Unlike the federal No Fly List which applies across all commercial airlines in the United States, Carnival’s “Do Not Sail” list is specific to their cruise line. The ban means these individuals will never again be permitted to book passage on any Carnival cruise ship. This type of lifetime ban represents one of the most serious consequences for passenger misconduct in the cruise industry.
Law Enforcement Involvement
The altercation occurred in the debarkation area, which falls under the jurisdiction of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Carnival Cruise Line immediately referred the matter to local law enforcement authorities. According to reports, at least one individual was arrested in connection with the brawl, though specific charges have not been publicly disclosed. The case has been handed over to local police for further investigation and potential prosecution.
This is not the first time Carnival has dealt with unruly passenger behavior. In 2022, another large brawl broke out on a Carnival cruise ship over what was reported to be a personal dispute. The company has maintained a consistent zero-tolerance policy for such incidents. The viral nature of the recent incident, with footage reaching over 1.2 million views online, has brought renewed attention to passenger conduct policies on cruise ships.
Impact on Fellow Travelers
The brawl not only disrupted the disembarkation process for those involved but created a chaotic scene for hundreds of other passengers attempting to exit the ship after their vacation. Video footage shows open suitcases with personal belongings scattered across the floor, security personnel attempting to intervene, and bewildered travelers watching the scene unfold. For the majority of passengers who were not involved in the incident, what should have been the conclusion of a relaxing vacation instead ended with an unexpected display of disorder and aggression as they made their way back to U.S. soil.
