Key Aspects:
- A viral video shows a guest throwing a punch at a Royal Caribbean crew member.
- The incident allegedly took place onboard Icon of the Seas on a recent sailing.
- Royal Caribbean’s guest conduct policy prohibits such behavior and the guest may be debarked or banned.
Every guest knows that fighting onboard a cruise ship is a tremendous no-no, but even more of a concern is when an incident involves a guest and a crew member.
Onboard a recent Icon of the Seas sailing, one belligerent guest did exactly that – fought a crew member. The crew member, who has not been identified but appears to be one of the ship’s lifeguards based on their uniform, did not return the blow but was knocked to the deck.
A video of the incident has been posted to Facebook and is quickly going viral with more than 456,000 views.
The male guest, clad only in swim trunks, appears to be arguing with another crew member first, possibly an officer or security guard, with the lifeguard nearby. Some foul language (on the guest’s part) ensues, along with minor pushing, finger-pointing, and other agitation.
Suddenly, the guest swings out at the lifeguard, then immediately directs another punch at the other crew member. The second crew member reacts defensively and wrestles the guest to the ground, but the two quickly separate.
The guest walks off, raising a particular finger (you know the one) along the way. Crew members followed at a discreet distance, undoubtedly to track the guest’s whereabouts until the individual could be dealt with by security officers.
The video is just under a minute long but shows that the incident took place on the open decks, based on the colorful tropical decor and signage for the ship’s waterslides.
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Cruise Hive has reached out to Royal Caribbean for a statement about the incident but has not yet heard back from the cruise line.
The 248,663-gross-ton Icon of the Seas is currently sailing a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary that departed Miami, Florida on Saturday, December 6. The ship alternates Eastern and Western sailings from her South Florida homeport.
Guest Reactions Not Supportive
There is never an excuse to have a physical (or even a verbal) altercation with a cruise ship crew member, no matter what the situation may be.
Comments about the incident are not at all supportive of the guest, with many experienced cruisers calling for his removal from the ship and a lifetime ban on cruising with Royal Caribbean.
“This behavior is absolutely disgusting,” one guest commented.
“Trash behavior,” another guest notes, calling for the guest’s ban from Royal Caribbean. That comment has more than 180 upvotes on Reddit, indicating support from other readers.
Other guests comment that this incident could easily lead to assault charges, and a ban from the entire Royal Caribbean Group would be more than appropriate.
Guests with more cruise-oriented reactions suggest he be keelhauled, forced to walk the plank, or simply tossed into the sea.
Royal Caribbean’s Policy Prohibits Poor Behavior
Part of Royal Caribbean’s cruise contract, which every guest agrees to abide by when booking a sailing, is the Guest Health, Safety, and Conduct Policy.
This policy clearly states that any violent behavior will not be tolerated. This includes verbally abusive or offensive language as well as abusive behavior and any “uninvited physical contact.”
If guests violate the policy, which throwing punches at crew members most certainly does, they are subject to a variety of reactions, including:
- Intervention by the ship’s security
- Notification of local law enforcement, which may include formal charges
- Removal of onboard privileges
- Confinement to one’s stateroom or an onboard brig
- Suspension of any loyalty benefits or demoting loyalty tiers
- Being removed from the vessel
- Denial of any future boarding on any Royal Caribbean vessel
Just one month ago, two internet streamers were kicked off Harmony of the Seas in Roatan, Honduras, after fighting, and that did not involve blows toward a crew member.
Hopefully, the guest involved in this most recent incident will be promptly dealt with and curtailed from future sailings, as there is never an excuse for such behavior, regardless of circumstances.
