A Royal Caribbean cruise ship was forced to return to shore after a brawl onboard left two passengers hospitalized.
Wonder of the Seas went back to Port Miami on Monday night following reports of an altercation.
A witness told local10 that passengers were seen running to the pool area before the captain announced the return to port.
Wonder of the Seas, the fourth largest cruise ship in the world, was set to be on a four-day round trip throughout the Bahamas, stopping at Coco Cay, and Nassau before returning to Miami.
Images on social media showed a large police presence at the port – alongside several ambulances.
A passenger told WSVN about a dozen people were escorted from the ship, which launched in 2022 and can accommodate 5,606 guests.
Royal Caribbean said: ‘Our team provided medical care to adult guests who were involved in an altercation onboard, and the guests are being treated for their injuries.
‘We notified local authorities and are working closely with them. As this is an ongoing investigation, we have no more information to share at this time.’
The cruise ship returned to Miami on Monday evening, with two passengers taken to hospital
A large police presence was seen outside of the ship on Monday night after the brawl onboard
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue provided care to adult guests onboard.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office described Monday night’s incident as a ‘dispute’ between two passengers.
‘According to investigators, a verbal dispute ensued between patrons, which became physical,’ a statement read.
‘At which time the captain of the ship decided to return to port and contact authorities.
‘Both individuals were transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. Both individuals declined pressing charges.’
According to Cruise Mapper data, the ship had departed Miami at 4:30pm EST before returning later that night.
Industry analysts have noted a rise in fights on cruises as the $7billion sector rebounds to near pre-pandemic levels and the cost of living crisis makes all-inclusive partying an affordable holiday option.
It comes after a group of people onboard a Carnival Cruise brawled ‘over chicken tenders’.
The ship had originally left Miami at 4:30pm EST before returning later that night, data shows
Wonder of the Seas is the fourth largest cruise ship in the world and launched in 2022
The vessel was set to be on a four-day round trip throughout the Bahamas
Footage from August showed a group of young passengers throwing punches and knocking each other to the ground as horrified onlookers watched.
Security guards made attempts to intervene, as one turned away from the fight and reached for his walkie-talkie.
Punches landed with shoes and phones flying across the floor. Many bystanders had their phones out recording the fight while one screamed: ‘Where the f*** is security?’
Mike Terra, who recorded the footage and uploaded it online, flipped his camera while recording and said: ‘Over chicken tenders is crazy.’
It still remains unclear the ship’s name and the voyage on which the video was filmed.
