Carnival® Brawl Ends in Lifetime Ban for 24 Travelers
As the sun rose over Galveston, Texas, on April 26, 2025, many expected the Carnival Jubilee® to mark a smooth return from a week of Caribbean leisure. Instead, the terminal turned into a scene of chaos as dozens of passengers clashed in a now-viral brawl that ended with 24 people permanently banned from sailing with Carnival Cruise Line®.
It wasn't on the open sea — it was in the luggage terminal, right on dry land, where the voyage took an unexpected and violent turn.
What Sparked the Fight?
The incident took place inside Galveston's Cruise Terminal 25, just after the ship returned from stops in Mexico and Honduras. Footage captured by a bystander and shared on Facebook shows a large group of passengers engaging in a physical confrontation just steps from their piled suitcases. Some passengers fell to the ground as punches were thrown, and signs and barriers were knocked over in the chaos.
Security officers attempted to break up the melee, but the crowd didn't disperse easily. Customs and Border Protection reportedly detained several individuals, but only one person — 21-year-old Ethan Meritt-Clark of Chicago — was arrested, according to The Independent. Merrit-Clark allegedly told police that the fight was the reignition of a previous skirmish during a basketball game on the cruise.
Who Got Banned — and What That Means
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that 24 individuals allegedly involved in the brawl have been added to its "Do Not Sail" list, as reported by USA Today. While the company hasn't disclosed specific names or criteria, being placed on this list effectively bars someone from booking or boarding future cruises with the Carnival® — for life.
According to LadBible, a spokesperson for Carnival stated, "We will not tolerate such behavior," and emphasized that the matter is now in the hands of law enforcement.
According to Carnival's own guest conduct policy, as reported by LadBible, any behavior that threatens the "comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other guests or crew" can result in a passenger being disembarked and permanently banned.
Carnival's passenger screening process requires all travelers to complete online check-in before sailing, with manifests submitted to the Department of Homeland Security at least 60 minutes before departure. Anyone on the Do Not Sail list would be flagged during this process, preventing them from boarding.
A Growing Pattern?
This incident isn't isolated. Carnival has dealt with high-profile passenger altercations before. In 2022, a fight involving 40 to 60 people reportedly erupted on the dance floor aboard the Carnival Magic®, ultimately requiring the Coast Guard to escort the ship back to port in New York.
While cruising remains one of the most popular vacation options in the U.S., such events remind passengers — and cruise lines — of the unpredictable dynamics among large groups of travelers. Bad behavior on vacation can have lasting consequences.
References: 24 People Put on 'Do Not Sail' List and Banned for Life After Major Fight Breaks Out on Carnival Cruise Ship | Massive Brawl Erupts Among Carnival Cruise Passengers, Landing 24 People on 'Do Not Sail' List | Video Shows Cruise Passengers Fighting at Galveston Terminal, 24 Travelers Banned | 24 people banned from Carnival cruises after massive brawl breaks out while docked for customs
