A Royal Caribbean cruise out of Miami was cut short Monday night after a wild brawl onboard left two passengers in the hospital.
The Wonder of the Seas, one of the world’s largest cruise ships, had just started a four-day trip through the Bahamas when chaos broke out near the pool deck. Witnesses told Local10 that people were seen running toward the scene before the captain announced the ship would be turning back to port.
The 230,000-ton vessel had departed Miami around 4:30 p.m. and was supposed to stop at Coco Cay and Nassau before returning, but instead docked back in PortMiami hours later. Photos and videos posted online showed a heavy police and ambulance presence as injured passengers were escorted off the ship.
Royal Caribbean confirmed that two adult passengers were treated onboard before being taken to the hospital. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue also provided care once the ship returned. Authorities later described the incident as a verbal dispute that escalated into a physical fight.
“The captain of the ship decided to return to port and contact authorities,” the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said. “Both individuals were transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. Both individuals declined pressing charges.”
Other passengers told WSVN that about a dozen people were escorted off the ship in total. The Wonder of the Seas, launched in 2022, can hold more than 5,600 guests and was touted as the crown jewel of Royal Caribbean’s fleet.
The fight is part of a troubling trend of cruise ship brawls making headlines. Industry analysts say clashes at sea have spiked as the $7 billion cruise industry rebounds post-pandemic and all-inclusive packages lure travelers looking for budget-friendly vacations.
Just weeks earlier, viral footage from another cruise showed passengers trading blows “over chicken tenders,” with shoes and cell phones flying as horrified onlookers shouted for security.
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