Blog Page 27

Cruise Guest Faces Charges Over Secretly Photographing Another Passenger

Melissa Mayntz
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Cruise Guest Faces Charges Over Secretly Photographing Another Passenger

Key Aspects:

  • A 25-year-old Illinois man has been charged with digital voyeurism after an incident onboard Allure of the Seas.
  • On May 31, the man allegedly attempted to photograph a teen girl without consent, including photos underneath her dress.
  • Security video footage confirmed the incident and the man was arrested when the ship returned to Port Everglades.

A 25-year-old man, Matthew Stilwell of Illinois, has been arrested on charges of digital voyeurism after allegedly attempting to photograph under a young teen’s dress onboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas.

The incident happened during the ship’s recent May 30, 2026 sailing, an 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

On Sunday, May 31, the first full day of the sailing and a day at sea, Stilwell was in one of the ship’s gift shops near the teen girl. He allegedly attempted to photograph or video her without her consent multiple times, including underneath her dress. The young girl reported the incident to her mother and onboard security footage confirmed the accusation.

Local reports indicate that Stilwell knew the teen prior to the incident, though the nature of that connection has not been disclosed.

Stilwell was arrested at Port Everglades on Sunday, June 7, when Allure of the Seas returned to Fort Lauderdale. It is unknown whether or not he was confined onboard the ship or faced any other consequences from the cruise line.

According to the arrest report from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Stilwell now faces three charges of digital voyeurism. He is currently being held in the Paul Rein Detention Facility on $22,500 bond.

Digital voyeurism is secretly attempting to photograph or record someone without their consent. In Florida, these are felony charges.

Allure of the Seas Boardwalk
Allure of the Seas Boardwalk (Photo Credit: Aleksandr Dyskin)

Royal Caribbean has not commented on the incident, as is common when charges may be pending or other legal action may be taken. Similarly, the victim has not been publicly identified to safeguard her privacy.

There were no related itinerary changes or diversions for the 225,300-gross-ton Allure of the Seas, and the Oasis-class ship is continuing to cruise as planned.

Shocking Rise in Similar Incidents

This latest incident comes just weeks after multiple crew members from Disney Magic were arrested in San Diego at the end of April in what was later revealed to be a child sexual abuse situation involving the possible distribution of inappropriate materials featuring minors.

Many cruise guests are on the alert for such dangerous situations, but the incident aboard Allure of the Seas proves that predators could be familiar people, whether onboard a ship or not.

Cruise lines have taken what steps they can to minimize the risk of secret filming or recording without permission.

In early 2026, for example, Cruise Hive reported that Royal Caribbean implemented stronger restrictions on smart glasses that could discreetly film guests. MSC Cruises has had similar policies in place since December 2025.

While Stilwell did not use smart glasses in his attempt to record or photograph the teen, but rather was using the camera app on his phone, the increased concern over such situations has raised vigilance for all travelers.

There have been several cases in the past where illegal cameras have been installed onboard cruise ships by less reputable crew members or guests.

In May 2023, a guest onboard Harmony of the Seas (sister ship to Allure of the Seas) planted a hidden camera in a bathroom near the ship’s FlowRider. That guest was arrested and charged with video voyeurism.

Such incidents are rare compared to the hundreds of thousands of cruise guests who set sail every year and enjoy safe, memorable cruise vacations. Allure of the Seas can welcome 5,484 guests at double occupancy, or up to 6,780 guests when fully booked with all berths filled.

Galveston Cruise Port Under Tropical Storm Watch as Season’s First Storm Brews

Lissa Poirot
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Galveston Cruise Port Under Tropical Storm Watch as Season’s First Storm Brews

Key Aspects:

  • Potential Tropical Cyclone One has prompted a Tropical Storm Watch for Galveston Bay.
  • Forecasters predict it could become the first named storm of the hurricane season.
  • The storm is expected to strengthen by June 17, 2026, with several cruise ships scheduled to be in the area as it moves northward along the coastline.

A developing weather system in the Gulf of Mexico has prompted tropical storm watches along portions of the Texas coast, including the Galveston Bay area, where the popular Port of Galveston is located, where multiple cruise ships are scheduled to call in the coming days.

The National Hurricane Center issued advisories on potential Tropical Cyclone One on June 16, 2026, as the disturbance moved toward the Texas and Louisiana coasts.

Forecasters said the system could strengthen into the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season before making landfall. If it becomes a named storm, it would be called Arthur.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s latest forecast, the system is producing maximum sustained winds of 30 miles per hour and is expected to move generally northwestward toward the Texas coastline before turning northward inland.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from Port O’Connor, Texas, to the mouth of the Mississippi River, including Galveston Bay. The National Hurricane Center said tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area beginning on June 17, 2026.

Potential tropical cyclone one
Potential Tropical Cyclone One (Photo Credit: National Hurricane Center)

Widespread rain is expected across Southeast Texas through at least June 19, 2026, with some areas potentially seeing several inches of accumulation.

While no cruise lines have announced itinerary changes, the storm’s track places one of the nation’s busiest cruise ports under a tropical storm watch as officials continue monitoring the system.

Multiple Ships Scheduled During Watch Period

Galveston, Texas, is the fourth-busiest cruise port in the United States and has become one of the industry’s fastest-growing homeports.

The port handled a record 1.8 million cruise passengers in 2025 and serves as a year-round embarkation point for vessels from Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises.

The developing weather system arrives during a busy week for the port with Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas scheduled to arrive on June 18 carrying up to 4,198 guests, during the period covered by the storm watch. The company’s Symphony of the Seas is expected on June 21 with up to 5,518 passengers.

More From Cruise Hive

Several ships homeport in Galveston, including Royal Caribbean’s 3,344-guest Mariner of the Seas, which is currently in Cozumel, Mexico, and expected to return to port on June 18 after a day at sea. The ship is also scheduled to return to sea on a subsequent 4-day cruise departing on June 18.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Breeze and Carnival Jubilee, which both homeport in the Texas town, are expected to return with a combination of up to 5,950 passengers on June 20 with same-day departures on subsequent cruises, followed by sister ship Carnival Dream on June 21.

Arriving later in the week is MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape, which also calls Galveston home.

The storm system is developing during what NOAA has forecast to be a relatively quiet Atlantic hurricane season. In its 2026 outlook, the agency predicted between 8 and 14 named storms, including three to six hurricanes.

For now, the Port of Galveston has not announced any operational changes, and cruise lines serving the port have not advised guests of itinerary modifications.

The National Hurricane Center will issue regular updates as the system moves toward the Gulf Coast.

US Embassy Issues New Safety Alert for Popular Bahamas Cruise Port

Melissa Mayntz
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US Embassy Issues New Safety Alert for Popular Bahamas Cruise Port

Key Aspects:

  • The US Embassy has issued a security alert advising against renting jet skis in the Bahamas, especially in Nassau.
  • Multiple sexual assaults on US women have been reported in relation to watercraft rentals near the cruise port.
  • The US Department of State’s Level 2 travel advisory also notes the risk of jet ski rentals and sexual assault.

Cruise guests visiting the capital city of the Bahamas will want to exercise a bit more caution when looking for the best deal for a jet ski experience. On June 15, 2026, the US Embassy issued a security alert about the lack of safety regulation enforcement for jet ski operators.

More specifically, there have been seven different reports of US women facing sexual assault from jet ski operators in areas near the Nassau Cruise Port, including Junkanoo Beach, Saunders Beach, Cabbage Beach, and beaches on Paradise Island.

The assaults have reportedly occurred on isolated islands near Nassau after the women rented the equipment and followed their tour operators for the excursion.

Additional safety concerns include unlicensed operators and accidents. Cruise Hive has previously reported on such incidents, including in February 2025 when a Royal Caribbean passenger was injured in a jet ski accident at Perfect Day at CocoCay. In that crash, the guest was hit by one of the guides at high speed.

Since August 2024, six US citizens have been hospitalized in Nassau from jet ski accidents. Three of those travelers required emergency medical evacuations to the US for treatment.

The alert also says that in August 2025, a US citizen riding a jet ski was killed after a collision with an unlicensed operator driving an unregistered boat off Paradise Island. It is unknown whether or not that individual was a cruise guest.

The embassy advises US citizens to avoid renting jet skis altogether, specifically in troublesome areas.

“Beware of solicitations from jet ski operators near the Cruise Port, Junkanoo Beach and Arawak Cay, and the small islands east of Paradise Island,” the advisory reads.

Furthermore, all cruise guests and other tourists should be aware that jet skis cannot be rented to anyone under the age of 18. Should a tour operator be offering rentals to younger visitors, they are in violation of local laws.

US government employees working in the Bahamas are completely prohibited from jet ski rentals or usage on New Providence (Nassau) and Paradise Island.

US Department of State Shares Similar Warnings

The travel advisory for the Bahamas issued by the US Department of State also specifically notes problems with boating and jet skis.

“Boating is not well regulated. Injuries and deaths have occurred,” the advisory states. “Sexual assaults by jet ski operators have also been reported.”

Specific issues include that personal watercraft may not be safe or inspected to meet the best regulations, some operators offering rentals may not be licensed or insured, and weather forecasts may be ignored, resulting in unsafe conditions for the small watercraft.

Overall, the US Department of State has a Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” travel advisory for all of the Bahamas.

Cruise Lines Warn Guests

While cruise guests are free to enjoy ports of call at their leisure and are not restricted to using only recommended tour operators, cruise lines warn against such choices.

Read Also: 11 Most Dangerous Cruise Ports You Should Be Cautious About

Recommended operators have generally been checked for compliance with local laws as well as licensing and insurance requirements. This does not necessarily mean such activities are without risk (guests typically have to sign waivers), but it is a step toward a safer experience.

No cruise guest wants their oceangoing vacation marred by an accident, assault, or injury. Being aware of travel advisories, safety warnings, and alerts can help travelers make the best possible choices to enjoy their getaway.

Petition Against Already-Rejected Perfect Day Mexico Tops 5 Million Signatures

Catie Kovelman
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Petition Against Already-Rejected Perfect Day Mexico Tops 5 Million Signatures

Key Aspects:

  • Even after getting rejected by the Mexican government, Perfect Day Mexico is still feeling the heat online.
  • A petition against the cancelled resort surpassed 5 million signatures weeks after the rejection was announced.
  • Royal Caribbean is currently discussing the relocation of its planned resort with Mexican officials.

The cruise community is continuing to rub salt in the wound for Royal Caribbean following Mexico’s rejection of Perfect Day Mexico.

Even with Royal Caribbean officially blocked from building the 200+ acre resort in Mahahual, locals and cruise fans alike haven’t ceased protesting.

A Change.Org petition that was created to stop the project surpassed 5 million signatures as of June 15, 2026, weeks after the Mexican government halted Royal Caribbean’s plans on May 19, 2026.

The petition has come a long way from when Cruise Hive first reported on it in August of 2025, when it only had 278,000 signatures.

Perfect Day Mexico, at least how it was originally imagined, has indeed been stopped in its tracks. However, the opposition likely won’t go away as the Mexican Government is in talks with Royal Caribbean to potentially relocate the private resort elsewhere in the country.

Why Was Perfect Day Mexico So Controversial?

Perfect Day Mexico was supposed to be a massive resort with a record-breaking water park. While it’s a “perfect day” in the eyes of many cruise guests, the locals have never been convinced.

“Mahahual is not an amusement park. It is a fishing town inhabited by local communities who live facing the sea,” the petition stated.

View of Perfect Day Mexico
View of Perfect Day Mexico

Mahahual is home to around 2,800 permanent residents, some of whom started the petition because they felt Perfect Day Mexico threatened the local environment and their way of life.

As a small fishing village, changes in their access to the sea, the beaches, and the mangroves could come with detrimental consequences.

A harmful impact to the local ecosystem and marine wildlife could put the villagers’ food and livelihoods at risk as well.

“Royal Caribbean plans to receive up to 20,000 tourists per day: bringing with them tons of chemical sunscreen, plastic waste, mega-cruise ships polluting the water, and absurd levels of freshwater consumption in a region already suffering from water scarcity,” the petition added.

“All of this while destroying still-living mangroves and coastline, without a serious environmental impact assessment, and stripping local communities of their own territories,” it continued.

It’s ultimately the environmental impact, particularly to the mangroves, that caused a Quintana Roo judge to halt the project in January to allow for further environmental assessments. These same concerns contributed to the final rejection.

To Royal Caribbean’s credit, the cruise line has made an effort to support the community of Mahahual, such as by rehabilitating the roads in the area.

If the cruise line does get permission to build elsewhere in the country, it will be because the new destination either does not pose the same environmental barriers or the concerns that do arise can be ethically managed.

Cruise Passengers Fined More Than $52K After Nassau Police Station Brawl

Melissa Mayntz
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Cruise Passengers Fined More Than $52K After Nassau Police Station Brawl

Key Aspects:

  • Six American cruise passengers have been fined a total of more than $52,000 for a brawl in Nassau on Monday, June 8.
  • The incident involved property damage, injury to officers, obscene language, and other charges.
  • All six passengers were from Colorado but it is not known what cruise ship or line they were sailing with at the time.

The six American cruise passengers who were arrested in Nassau on Monday, June 8, 2026 have now been fined a total of more than $52,000 for damages and injuries from their behavior.

Cruise Hive initially reported the incident involving what was then believed to be five cruise guests. The fight began in the Nassau Cruise Terminal but later escalated as the suspects were taken into custody.

According to The Tribune, all six visitors are from Colorado and range in age from 19-50: Jaeyln Duran (19), Andrew Tapia (21), Daniella Duran (22), Irvin Castro (26), Gabriella Aguilar (27), and Jose Duran (50).

Together, the group faces charges that include assaulting a police officer, disorderly conduct, obscene language, resisting arrest, causing dangerous harm, and causing damage and obstruction.

The fight began in the cruise port area and was reported to authorities just after 4:45 p.m. on Monday afternoon. This was when guests would have been returning to their cruise ships and the terminal would be more crowded.

The cause of the fight has not been released, and it is not known whether the incident in the cruise terminal may have been a continuation of an earlier altercation.

Upon arriving at the Tourism Police Station, just outside the port area and across the street from the Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo, the defendants escalated the fight and attempted to flee custody.

Their actions included dislocating one officer’s shoulder and causing minor injuries to several others, as well as damaging private property and breaking the glass door of the police station. The suspects also suffered minor injuries and were treated by emergency personnel.

Cruise Ships Docked in Nassau, Bahamas
Cruise Ships Docked in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: SNEHIT PHOTO)

All defendants pled guilty to the assorted charges and claimed they were intoxicated during the fight and subsequent actions at the police station.

This incident is not related to another Nassau brawl reported later in the week that involved more than a dozen people at Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. It is not known whether the individuals involved in that altercation were arrested or if they will face any charges.

Fines Add Up Fast

Each defendant in the cruise terminal brawl was fined various amounts for their actions or offered the alternative of time in prison. Daniella, for example, was fined $16,600 or one year in prison, and must also compensate two officers a total of $2,625 for injuries and damage.

Both Gabriella and Jaeyln were fined $11,600 or six months in prison, and each must pay one of the officers $125 for damages.

Irvine was fined $2,800 or six months in prison and must compensate one of the officers $2,500, while Andrew was fined $4,600 or one year in prison and Jose was fined $150 or one month in prison.

Together, the fines add up to $47,350, while the compensation to different officers is another $5,375. This brings the grand total of fines and compensatory fees to a whopping $52,725 for the six cruise guests.

While it has not been revealed which of the cruise ships the guests had been traveling on at the time of their arrest, it’s a fair bet that those fees were more expensive than their travel plans, even with drink packages.

Six different ships from four cruise lines were in Nassau that day: Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas; Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration; Disney Fantasy; and Caribbean Princess.

More From Cruise Hive

Of the roughly 30,000 cruise guests those ships brought to the capital of the Bahamas on Monday, 29,994 managed to avoid being arrested and charged for multiple violations.

Cruise lines have always been clear that guests must follow all local laws and are responsible for their own behavior. It is possible the guests may also face additional consequences from their cruise line, such as being banned from future travel, loss of loyalty benefits, or other penalties.

Construction Starts on Sixth Icon-Class Ship Before the Real Build Begins

Catie Kovelman
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Construction Starts on Sixth Icon-Class Ship Before the Real Build Begins

Key Aspects:

  • The sixth Icon-class ship isn’t officially under construction yet, but work has already begun on her future floating engine room unit.
  • Construction on the actual vessel will likely begin in the Meyer Turku Shipyard later in 2026 or 2027.
  • Royal Caribbean intends to launch the unnamed megaship in 2029.

Royal Caribbean’s sixth Icon-class ship is meeting major construction milestones before the steel has even been cut.

Construction is yet to begin in the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland. But in the meantime, the work on the floating engine room unit (FERU) officially began in the Crist Shipyard in the Port of Gdynia, Poland, on June 8, 2026.

“The start of FERU production is a significant milestone in the project’s progress. A well-designed and carefully prepared start of production creates a strong foundation for the success of the entire project,” Icon 6 Project Manager Kimmo Suutari stated.

Meyer Turku and Crist have a strong partnership, and in fact, this will actually be the fourth FERU built through a collaboration between the two shipyards.

“Crist is already a familiar shipyard to us, and we have successfully built a strong spirit of cooperation between the project organisations,” FERU Project Manager Marja Aartovaara also added.

“In addition, we have an excellent site team at the shipyard to ensure that the FERU is built on schedule and with high quality,” Aartovaara continued.

Construction Milestone for 6th Icon Class Ship
Construction Milestone for 6th Icon Class Ship

For context, the FERU refers to a prefabricated mega-block that contains the entire power plant (with the main engines, LNG tanks, and auxiliary machinery) for modern cruise ships. Once completed, it will be brought to the primary shipyard via tugboats.

What Do We Know About Icon 6?

Cruise Hive reported that Royal Caribbean ordered its sixth and seventh Icon-class ships at the end of April. But beyond that, little is known about the upcoming additions to the fleet.

As delivery of the sixth ship in the fleet is scheduled for 2029, work will likely officially begin in Meyer Turku later in 2026 or in 2027. Construction typically starts with a traditional steel cutting ceremony, and then it takes one to three years to complete the job.

Giving an idea of timing, the original Icon of the Seas began construction on June 14, 2021, and entered service on January 27, 2024, about two years and seven months later.

Three Icon-Class Cruise Ships
Three Icon-Class Cruise Ships

Things went slightly faster for Star of the Seas. The 5,610-guest ship began construction on February 15, 2023, and entered service two years and six months later on August 31, 2025.

Legend of the Seas, which formally debuts on the 4th of July, will have also completed the construction process in two years and six months at the time of its launch.

It’s unclear how similar or different the sixth ship will be compared to her older sisters, but Royal Caribbean is certainly taking notes to continue innovating and improving the guest experience as the fleet grows.

More Icon-Class Ships Under Construction

Currently, two earlier Icon-class vessels are under construction at the shipyard. Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon-class ship, has been under construction since September 2025  and is scheduled to debut in August of 2027.

The fifth Icon-class ship began construction earlier this year on January 19, 2026, and is supposed to debut in 2028.

Before things can really get underway for the sixth ship in the popular class, her older sisters will need to move out of her way, or at least get further along in the process.

Meyer Turku shipyard is able to build two to three large cruise ships at once because their massive dry dock and outfitting piers require extensive staging, staggering the construction pipelines, and extensive planning to coordinate it all.

New MSC Mega-Ship Will Feature the Longest Dry Slide at Sea, Spanning 12 Decks

Lissa Poirot
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New MSC Mega-Ship Will Feature the Longest Dry Slide at Sea, Spanning 12 Decks

Key Aspects:

  • MSC Cruises has unveiled the Tree of Life, a 32-foot-tall centerpiece aboard MSC World Asia.
  • The attraction will feature The Spiral @ Tree of Life, a 266-foot dry slide spanning 12 decks and will be the longest dry slide at sea.
  • The centerpiece will anchor The Harbor family entertainment district.

MSC Cruises is offering a closer look at one of the most recognizable features planned for its next flagship.

The cruise line has unveiled new images of the Tree of Life, a large architectural centerpiece currently under construction aboard MSC World Asia at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The attraction will serve as the focal point of The Harbour, the ship’s outdoor family activity and dining area.

Standing 32 feet above the deck, the Tree of Life will weigh close to 8 tons. MSC Cruises says the structure incorporates nearly 500 feet of integrated LED lighting that will allow its appearance to change throughout the day and evening.

A walkway wrapped around the structure will lead guests to The Spiral @ Tree of Life, a 266-foot dry slide stretching across 12 decks. MSC Cruises say the attraction will become the longest dry slide at sea when the ship enters service, December 4, 2026.

The slide will connect directly to the ship’s World Promenade, one of MSC World Asia’s main public areas for dining, entertainment, and ocean views.

“Meet the Tree of Life,” the cruise line shared in a video on its Facebook page. “By day, a gathering place at the heart of The Harbor outdoor park. By night, a glowing centrepiece of onboard entertainment.”

Tree of Life
MSC World Asia’s Tree of Life (Photo Credit: MSC Cruises)

The Harbor area will also feature waterslides, a ropes-course-style Adventure Trail, playground areas, dining venues, and Cliffhanger, the cruise line’s over-water swing attraction that debuted on MSC World America.

MSC Cruises says the Tree of Life’s design was inspired by contemporary Asian cities and Singapore’s famous Supertrees at Marina Bay, tying into the vessel’s Asia-themed design elements.

MSC World Asia Nears Completion

MSC World Asia is the third vessel in MSC Cruises’ World Class series, following the 2022 debut of MSC World Europa and the 2025 launch of MSC World America.

Construction officially began in March 2024 with a steel-cutting ceremony at the French shipyard that also completed its sister ships. The vessel is expected to measure 215,863 gross tons and carry up to 6,758 passengers at maximum occupancy, making it one of the largest in MSC Cruises’ fleet.

Like its sister ships, MSC World Asia will be organized into seven distinct onboard districts, each offering its own mix of dining, entertainment, accommodations and attractions. The vessel is not meant to be an Asia-based ship but instead incorporates design, dining, and entertainment inspiration from the continent.

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Entering service on December 4, 2026, MSC World Asia’s inaugural cruise will depart from Barcelona, Spain, beginning a winter season of 7-night Mediterranean voyages. The itineraries will include calls in Marseille, France; Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Messina, Italy; and Valletta, Malta.

Guests will also have the option to embark or disembark at several of those ports for a more fluid sailing schedule.

Following MSC World Asia is MSC World Atlantic, scheduled to debut in 2027, also under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

Carnival Urges Guests Not to Waste Time on Debunked Stateroom Hack

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Urges Guests Not to Waste Time on Debunked Stateroom Hack

Key Aspects:

  • A hack to get a cruise cabin upgrade on embarkation day is once again circulating on social media.
  • John Heald has reminded guests that Carnival ships are fully booked and random upgrades are not possible.
  • Unusual and emergency circumstances might warrant switching to a different stateroom on rare occasions.

A long-standing cruise stateroom hack is making the rounds on social media again and has been brought to the attention of John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador.

Despite his recent announcement of stepping back from some of his online interactions, Heald still answers guest questions and helps clarify Carnival’s policies, and this persistent rumor is one that needs that clarification.

The message, which Heald shared on Facebook, comes from a guest who claims to have the information from a “top cruise influencer.”

“This link I am sending you John Heald [gives] tips on how to get an upgrade to your room on embarkation day at the guest services desk. Is this correct and how come you have never told people this?” the guest asked.

“If this is not true then I think that Carnival should randomly give upgrades to cruisers on embarkation day. It would be great press if you did.”

These stateroom hacks are similar to telling flight attendants you’re on your honeymoon in the hopes of scoring an upgrade to first class, or mentioning a honeymoon or anniversary when checking into a hotel as a way to get upgraded to better accommodations or receive other freebies.

On cruises, some of the “tricks” include mentioning claustrophobia and needing a larger stateroom or the cruise will be ruined, celebrating special occasions, being a first-time cruiser, or otherwise trying to stand out as worthy of a free upgrade.

While every business operates in different ways with respect to upgrades, Heald is very clear that Carnival Cruise Line does not fall for that type of wishful thinking.

“Most of our cruises are sold out which we are very grateful to you all for,” he confirmed. “We do not give out upgrades at Guest Services unless there are unforeseen or unusual circumstances.”

Carnival Cruise Ship Stateroom
Carnival Cruise Ship Stateroom (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)

Carnival Cruise Line has reported record bookings for 2026, including an average occupancy rate of 103% across all Carnival brands. This is possible because not only are all staterooms booked, but many rooms are higher than double occupancy, with third and fourth guests sharing the same cabin with family members and friends.

What Unusual Circumstances Might Warrant an Upgrade?

While Heald does not define exactly what “unusual circumstances” might warrant an unexpected and complimentary upgrade, such situations are few and far between.

Cruise Hive has occasionally reported on guests switching staterooms when a cabin may be accidentally flooded or have severe technical problems (a constantly overflowing toilet comes to mind). At those times, the initial stateroom is uninhabitable and guests will be relocated to a different room that may or may not be an upgrade from their booked cabin.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Cabins and Suites – What Are the Options?

A confirmed bed bug infestation or other damage might also prompt a stateroom change or upgrade.

These types of upgrades happen on all cruise lines when necessary. For example, on a November 2023 sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, a couple’s original stateroom was torn up for repairs when they boarded the Oasis class ship.

Because of communication errors between the ship and the port check-in staff, the couple received keys to the flood-damaged room and had to spend several hours sorting out the confusion before being moved to a different room.

Chaos at Royal Caribbean’s Beach Club as Guests Brawl in Nassau

Melissa Mayntz
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Chaos at Royal Caribbean’s Beach Club as Guests Brawl in Nassau

Key Aspects:

  • A large fight was filmed at the Floating Flamingo at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island this week.
  • Several security personnel and other employees had to intervene to break up the altercation.
  • No official statement has been released but the guests are in violation of Royal Caribbean’s conduct policies.

It’s been a rough and tumble week for cruise guests in Nassau, Bahamas, as another violent altercation has occurred, this time at Royal Caribbean’s private club that opened in late December 2025.

Cruise Hive already reported on the five cruise guests who were arrested after fighting in the cruise port area and continuing their altercation at the police station on Monday, June 8. That fight caused property damage and even injured police officers.

Another brawl recently erupted at the Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island, just across the harbor from Nassau Cruise Port. A video of the incident was posted on Facebook on June 9, though it may have been filmed at an earlier date.

The video, which is just over a minute long, shows at least a dozen guests involved in a very physical exchange, including slaps, pushes, hair pulling, and punches. Even after some guests fell to the ground, they continued fighting with one another.

While most of the participants in the altercation appear to be women, some men are nearby and involved on the edge of the fight. It is unclear whether everyone was involved from the beginning or if some joined in as the situation escalated.

Music from the nearby DJ covers any specific words in the video, though some guests are obviously yelling at one another. It’s a fair bet they were not exchanging polite pleasantries.

The fight occurred at the south side of the Floating Flamingo Pool & Swim Up Bar, a central gathering spot at the Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island. Colorful arching architecture stretches over the pool, which is surrounded by brightly colored chairs and loungers.

At least three security personnel and several Royal Beach Club employees intervened as the fight continued, attempting to break up the participants and calm the situation. Some other guests also appeared to step in to try and keep their friends from continuing the scuffle.

Throughout the video, other guests stay clear of the area and one woman quickly moves her young children out of the way.

As the video ends, the fight appears to have calmed, though one voice is heard saying “Get out of here,” and that may have been the individual filming the video or another nearby guest choosing not to pursue the event and instead distance themselves from the spectacle.

Because the exact date of the fight is unknown, it is unclear which ship the guests may have been visiting from. On Tuesday, June 9, the day the video was posted, Utopia of the Seas was the only Royal Caribbean ship visiting Nassau.

What Will Happen to the Involved Guests?

Royal Caribbean has not made any public statement about the altercation or guest misbehavior, but it is likely that the involved guests may face harsh penalties.

The cruise line’s Guest Health, Safety, and Conduct Policy explicitly outlines expectations for guest behavior as well as the consequences for poor behavior.

Depending on the exact situation that led to the fight, involved guests may be in violation of the policy in several ways. For example, any “verbally abusive or offensive language directed toward anyone” is not permitted, whether slurs or profanity are used toward other guests or crew members.

Likewise, “inappropriate or abusive behavior” is not permitted, which includes “uninvited physical contact” (legalese for fighting). “Disruptive and discourteous” behavior is also prohibited, and certainly the fight was disruptive and discourteous to other guests who were simply trying to enjoy a fun day at the pool.

More From Cruise Hive

The policy does cover the cruise line’s private destinations, including the Royal Beach Club properties, and all guests agree to abide by the policy when they book a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Violations lead to a variety of consequences, including removal of onboard privileges, suspension of loyalty benefits, being removed from the ship, or even being completely banned from future Royal Caribbean cruises.

The incident may also have been reported to local authorities for processing and possible charges.

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