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Royal Caribbean is looking into an incident where a guest hit a crew member on the Icon of the Seas during a week-long Eastern Caribbean cruise. The event was caught on video and has been widely shared online.
Fight video Part 1
Fight video Part 2
Family Cruise Choas
The confrontation happened on the ship’s open decks near the large water park during a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that left Miami on December 6, 2025. A video on social media shows a male guest in swimwear arguing with crew members before the situation escalated into a physical altercation in front of children and families.
In the first video, a guest is seen throwing punches, and one punch appears to knock a uniformed crew member to the floor. Several passengers recorded parts of the incident on their phones. The clip has been widely shared but not independently verified.
The second video shows a crew member intervening to restrain the guest while ship security escorted the individual away from the area. The uniformed staff member who was struck did not retaliate on camera; reports and video footage indicate other passengers looked on and some filmed the encounter.
Strict Consequences Likely
Royal Caribbean maintains a zero-tolerance policy on violence toward crew and passengers and typically follows a defined process when incidents occur. This will likely result in the guest being confined and disembarked by local authorities at the first port of call. A lifetime ban is also likely. No statement from the cruise line or authorities has been made at this time.
Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas is currently the second-largest cruise ship in service and accommodates more than 7,600 guests at maximum capacity. The cruise ship currently operates alternating 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami, Florida. It is staffed with an onboard security team and has extensive CCTV coverage across the public decks.
If you’re looking into Caribbean cruises that are packed with ports, MSC Cruises just brought a 19-deck ship across the Atlantic Ocean that could fit the bill.
Shortly after the arrival of MSC Grandiosa, the first Meraviglia Plus class ship to homeport in the United States, another MSC Cruises ship in the same class is now sailing the Caribbean.
But this ship isn’t sailing out of Florida. The embarkation ports for this newly refurbished ship will make for some very unique cruises that are impossible with a 7-day cruise from PortMiami or Port Canaveral. In fact, these week-long cruises have only one sea day and visit 5 ports of call.
After a short, mandatory dry dock that only lasted 23 days, MSC Virtuosa has successfully completed a Transatlantic sailing and is now offering 7- and 14-night cruises out of Martinique, Guadeloupe and Barbados.
Starting these cruises out of Southern Caribbean ports allow a 14-day sailing to visit places like Grenada, Tortola, St Kitts, St. Lucia, Grand-Terre, St, Vincent and St Johns. These two-week sailings will visit some of these ports twice on the same cruise.
Even a 7-day cruise out of Martinique will visit Guadeloupe, Tortola, St. Maarten, St Johns, and St Kitts.
An average 7-day cruise from Florida might visit ports like Roatan, Grand Cayman, St. Maarten or St. Thomas. But any further into the Caribbean requires a longer duration, which is what makes MSC Virtuosa’s positioning so unique, especially for a ship of this size.
You can expect 2 to 3 sea days on the average Caribbean and Bahamas cruise out of Florida. On these MSC Virtuosa sailings, there are virtually zero sea days, so it’s a great option for those wanting to experience more of the Caribbean itself.
But of course, it will require that flight to and from the Caribbean. Most of the ship’s itineraries will start in either Martinique or Guadeloupe.
Typical 7-day itinerary on MSC Virtuosa out of Martinique. Photo credit: CruiseMapper.com
Some of the ports visited on a 7-day cruise on MSC Virtuosa (depending on the date):
Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe
Castries, St. Lucia
Bridgetown, Barbados
Kingstown, St. Vincent
St. George’s, Grenada
Road Town, Tortola (British Virgin Islands)
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
The Dry Dock
The ship, built in 2021, was sent to Rotterdam, Netherlands for her dry dock. This was primarily a technical inspection and for classification purposes so that parts of the ship below the waterline could be checked out and maintained.
After four years of service, the ship is still fairly new, and no cosmetic refurbishments or enhancements would have been made. The hull was exposed and cleaned and coated with an antifouling layer, and all of the thrusters, propellers, and stabilizers were inspected and repaired if necessary.
On November 19, MSC Virtuosa left Rotterdam and began her repositioning voyage across the Atlantic. The ship arrived in Martinique on December 6 after visiting several ports of call throughout the Southern Caribbean.
About MSC Virtuosa
MSC Virtuosa is a 181,541 gross ton ship that has a maximum capacity of 6,334 passengers (4,842 at double capacity). It is a Meraviglia Plus-class ship, which is the second largest class with MSC Cruises, only to be outdone by the 215,000+ World-class ships.
MSC Virtuosa has just arrived back at homeport in Fort-de-France, Martinique today and is scheduled to depart on a 7-day sailing that will visit Guadeloupe, Tortola, St. Maarten, St Johns, and St Kitts.
That’s a port-packed 7-day sailing that is only possible when departing from southern ports like Martinique or San Juan, Puerto Rico.
7-day sailings on MSC Virtuosa start around $779 per person, depending on the time of year. The ship is scheduled to return to Europe in April 2026.
For one week only, Carnival Cruise Line is offering two different “All-In-One” packages that offer savings on drink packages, WiFi, shore excursions and more on cruises sailing in 2026.
The two packages can be booked (online only) now through December 18, 2025 and they are good on cruises that depart between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026.
Here’s a look at prices and what’s included in these two new packages from Carnival Cruise Line.
Essentials Value Package
Carnival’s Essentials Value package costs $50 per day per person and includes the following:
CHEERS! Zero Proof beverage package (non-alcoholic drinks)
Value WiFi Plan
$50 discount on shore excursions if booked prior to the cruise
$25 discount on specialty dining if booked prior to the cruise
Ultimate Value Package
Carnival’s Ultimate Value Package offers the biggest discounts and costs $90 per day per person. It includes the following:
CHEERS! beverage package
Premium WiFi Plan
$50 discount on shore excursions when booked prior to the cruise
$25 discount on specialty dining when booked prior to the cruise
50% off spa treatments that are booked prior to the cruise
50% off the Photo Package when booked prior to the cruise
The packages can be booked by visiting My Cruise Manage on Carnival.com.
FAQ About These New Packages
All qualifying guests in a single stateroom must purchase the same package and packages cannot be mixed once a package is purchased. Packages are fully refundable if cancelled pre-cruise; unused benefits are non-refundable.
The Essentials Value Package requires all guests age 3 and older in the stateroom to purchase; guests 2 and under are not eligible.
The Ultimate Value Package requires all guests age 21 and older in the stateroom to purchase; guests 20 and under are not eligible.
Spa orders must be placed at least three days prior to sailing and by midnight the day prior to embarkation for all other qualifying categories.
The shore excursion and dining discount benefits are a one-time use only.
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A US cruise guest has been jailed and fined in the Bahamas after accidentally travelling with a firearm on a Royal Caribbean cruise, despite passing through embarkation security in Florida.
Image credit: GoFundMe
Mary Robinson, a 69-year-old grandmother from Oklahoma, boarded Liberty of the Seas in Fort Lauderdale on 1st December 2025 with a handgun and ammunition unknowingly inside her purse.
The weapon was not discovered until the following day, when the ship docked in Nassau and Robinson attempted to reboard after going ashore.
Robinson had been due to enjoy a four-night cruise to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, sailing with family to celebrate her adopted son’s 12th birthday.
Instead, the holiday ended abruptly when Bahamian authorities discovered a black Kel-Tec .380 pistol and four rounds of ammunition during security screening on 2nd December.
“On Tuesday December 2nd police arrested a 69-year-old female of US nationality after she was found in possession of a fireman and ammunition,” the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a statement.
Robinson was arrested at the port and transferred to Fox Hill Prison in Nassau, a facility that has previously been criticised by the US government for overcrowding and poor living conditions.
She was travelling with a friend, who agreed to care for the child while Robinson remained in custody.
Court Appearance Leads to Fine Instead of Sentence
Robinson appeared before Bahamas Magistrate Lennox Coleby Sr. on 4th December 2025, where she pleaded guilty to unlicensed possession of a firearm and ammunition.
She apologised in court and explained that she had forgotten the weapon was in her purse. Her attorney told the court the incident was unintentional.
“She simply forgot that she had the gun and I’m instructed that she has a touch of dementia,” Robinson’s attorney, Attorney Bjorn Ferguson, explained.
Under Bahamian law, possession of an unlicensed firearm or ammunition carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 24 months in prison. However, the magistrate agreed to waive the custodial sentence on the condition that Robinson paid an $8,000 fine.
As she was unable to pay immediately, Robinson spent nearly a week at Fox Hill Prison. Her granddaughter, Graci Exendine, launched a GoFundMe campaign on 3rd December to raise the required funds, which surpassed $12,000 within just over a week.
In a social media update, Exendine later confirmed Robinson’s release on 8th December.
“I just talked to Mary, she is OUT!!,” she wrote, thanking donors and supporters.
Following her release, Robinson remained in Nassau while arrangements were made for her return home.
While cruise terminals and ships operate layered security systems, Robinson’s case is not the first time a weapon has made it onto, or nearly onto, a cruise ship.
In October, a 77-year-old American passenger was detained and deported in Ravenna, Italy, after attempting to board a cruise ship with a firearm. Earlier this year, a 73-year-old US passenger was arrested at Japan’s Kobe Cruise Terminal after a handgun was discovered in his luggage.
There have also been cases involving intentional attempts to bypass security. Last year, two Carnival cruise guests were banned for life after smuggling a handgun onboard and later boasting about it online.
Royal Caribbean, like all major cruise lines, enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy on weapons. Firearms, ammunition, replicas, and even toy weapons are prohibited onboard, regardless of intent.
It’s unclear how Robinson was able to board with the firearm in her possession.
Although Robinson’s actions were described in court as a genuine mistake, such incidents are often treated as serious security breaches.
Cruise lines reserve the right to impose permanent bans on guests whose actions could endanger others, meaning Robinson may no longer be permitted to sail with Royal Caribbean in the future.
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A Princess Cruises guest has filed a lawsuit against the cruise line after suffering injuries when a seat collapsed during an onboard theatre performance earlier this year.
The legal claim was lodged in December by Marie Cassano, who is seeking compensation following an incident that occurred during her January 2025 cruise. The specific Princess Cruises ship involved has not been publicly identified.
According to the lawsuit, Cassano was seated in the ship’s main theatre when her “seat suddenly came apart and collapsed, causing her severe and permanent injuries.” Details of the injuries have not been disclosed publicly.
Princess Cruises, which is owned by Carnival Corporation, has not issued a public comment on the case.
Lawsuit Alleges Faulty Seating Was Known Risk
Cassano’s claim argues that Princess Cruises either knew, or should have known, that the chair was defective and failed to take adequate steps to prevent guests from using it.
An image of the damaged seat, first published by TMZ, shows the chair broken and resting on the floor, with yellow caution tape placed across the area to prevent other passengers from sitting there.
The lawsuit raises questions about onboard maintenance and whether the condition of the seating had been identified before the incident occurred.
Adding to those concerns, other Princess Cruises guests have since reported similar issues with theatre seating on different sailings, although it is unclear whether these reports are directly connected to Cassano’s case.
“I had to look twice at the provided photo, because that same seat on the opposite side has been broken since we boarded the Royal on 11/29,” one recent Royal Princess guest said after learning about the lawsuit.
“There’s not even a ‘We’re on it!’ sign on it (as there are many on board),” they continued.
Princess Cruises operates large theatres that typically seat between 900 and 1,000 guests, making constant pre-show inspection of every individual seat impractical. Cruise ships also operate continuously, 24 hours a day throughout the year, which increases wear and tear across public venues.
While cruise lines generally maintain that they follow strict safety and maintenance procedures, incidents such as this can still occur. In cases involving passenger injuries, guests are typically offered medical assistance onboard and an incident report is filed as part of standard procedure.
Latest In A Series Of Cruise Line Injury Claims
Legal action is an unavoidable reality for companies operating in the cruise industry, particularly those carrying thousands of passengers at a time. Princess Cruises has faced multiple injury-related lawsuits in recent years.
On 7th November 2025, another lawsuit was filed against the cruise line in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida. That case was brought by Elizabeth Knigge, who alleges she slipped and fell onboard Enchanted Princess during a July 2024 sailing after encountering a greasy or oily substance on a stairway between Deck 16 and Deck 18.
Princess Cruises is not alone in facing legal scrutiny. Royal Caribbean is currently dealing with a wrongful death lawsuit related to a 2024 incident aboard Navigator of the Seas, in which a passenger, Michael Virgil, allegedly died after being overserved alcohol.
Carnival Corporation has also faced recent legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed in November by two passengers who claim they encountered a bedbug infestation during their cruise.
As Cassano’s case proceeds, it adds to a growing list of legal claims highlighting the ongoing safety and liability challenges faced by the cruise industry.
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A Royal Caribbean cruise ship starts sailing from a new homeport today and will offer a variety of three- to 12-night cruises from the port.
Voyager of the Seas is now sailing from Brisbane, Australia for the first time and will offer a total of 20 cruises from the port.
Cruises range from three-night weekend sailings to cruises to the South Pacific with port stops in New Caledonia, Mystery Island and Vanuatu.
The cruise ship is also offer a once-in-a-lifetime 25-night cruise to Seattle that visits the French Polynesia and Hawaii.
Gavin Smith, vice president and managing director, Australia and New Zealand, Royal Caribbean, gave the following statement:
“Our award-winning Voyager is an adventure-seeker’s dream and the perfect holiday match for the spirit of the Sunshine State,.
‘This season from Brisbane is one for the books with more weekend getaways and more island time than ever before across Queensland and South Pacific destinations, reinforcing the unforgettable memories that families can make on a Royal Caribbean holiday.”
Dining, lounges and activities offered on Voyager of the Seas can be seen in the fact sheet below.
Voyager of the Seas isn’t the only Royal Caribbean ship offering cruises from Australia. Anthem of the Seas made its debut in Sydney last month offering two- to 18-night cruises.
This season will also mark the debut of six Wiggly-themed holidays, exclusive to Royal Caribbean and featuring the Wiggly Friends, across Voyager and Anthem.
The ultimate family holiday comes to life through a combination of Royal Caribbean’s signature family experiences and the excitement of The Wiggles, inspiring wonder and discovery.
Young kids and their loved ones can look forward to character events, live concerts, exclusive Royal Caribbean x The Wiggles merchandise and more.
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In 2026, the USA is celebrating their 250th birthday and Carnival Cruise Line, AKA America’s Cruise Line, will serve as the official sponsor of the Port of San Diego’s Big Bay Boom.
The fireworks show will be the fourth largest on the West Coast and three Carnival cruise ships will have front row seats. The ships will be anchored in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego Bay so guests can enjoy the spectacular show on July 4, 2026.
The three Carnival ships will be Carnival Radiance, Carnival Firenze and Carnival Luminosa. Guests on the following departure dates will enjoy this incredible Fourth of July fireworks show in San Diego.
Carnival Radiance – June 30, 2026, five-night cruise from Los Angeles
Carnival Firenze – July 3, 2026, three-night cruise from Los Angeles
Carnival Luminosa – July 2, 2026, four-night cruise from San Francisco
Carnival Cruise Line will have a major presence at the event and lead the countdown to kick-off the show. The cruise line will also support community promotions leading up to the holiday and collaborate with the Port of San Diego on special moments honoring active-duty service members.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said the following:
“We’re honored to be part of such a historic milestone and iconic event in San Diego. Being the exclusive cruise line sponsor of the Big Bay Boom gives us a meaningful way to celebrate our connection to this community, to our military families and to the patriotic spirit that defines Fourth of July.”
Chair Danielle Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners, added:
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Carnival for next year’s Big Bay Boom program and festivities. Along with Carnival, their cruise ship guests, the local community and thousands of visitors, we look forward to enjoying another spectacular fireworks show and memorable Independence Day celebration across San Diego Bay.”
Carnival Cruise Line has several celebrations planned for America’s 250th birthday. They include a meetup of seven ships near Celebration Key, the cruise line’s brand new port in The Bahamas.
During the meetups, each cruise ship will host patriotic birthday-themed deck parties, featuring special entertainment and food and drink offerings.
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MSC Cruises has updated its onboard security policies to prohibit the use of smart glasses and other discreet recording devices in public areas across its fleet, citing privacy and safety concerns.
According to the cruise line’s luggage and prohibited items policy, devices capable of covert or unobtrusive recording, including smart glasses, are not permitted in shipboard public spaces.
The restriction applies regardless of brand and includes wearable technology such as Google Glass, Meta Ray-Ban Stories, and AI-enabled glasses.
Hard Line Drawn
While guests may still carry smartphones, cameras, and other visible recording devices, MSC Cruises draws a distinction between traditional equipment and wearable technology that may record without the knowledge of nearby passengers or crew.
Port security teams are authorized to confiscate prohibited items during screening or onboard inspections.
MSC notes that these measures are intended to prevent unauthorized recording in sensitive or communal environments, including spa facilities, restrooms, and restricted operational areas.
The policy change follows broader industry discussions about privacy as wearable technology becomes more advanced and less noticeable.
Cruise lines have increasingly emphasized passenger comfort and consent, particularly in crowded shared spaces where recording may be difficult to detect.
MSC Cruises has not indicated whether guests may store smart glasses in their cabins for personal use outside public areas, and travellers are advised to review the most current prohibited items list prior to embarkation.
Cruise Lines Crack Down On Prohibited Items
Cruise lines are constantly updating their rules on permitted and prohibited items as new tech becomes more widespread, but also as new complaints become apparent.
A recent move by Carnival saw portable speakers banned from cruises due to their misuse, with several cruisers complaining about the music others were playing at high volume.
Some cruisers pushed back against the ban and called it unfair, although the cruise line justified its decision by saying that portable speakers could drown out important announcements over the ship’s own speaker system.
The ban on smart glasses from MSC is likely to spread to other cruise lines, and cruisers should always check the latest list of banned items when packing for any sailing to avoid awkward conversations at security.
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Royal Caribbean is investigating an onboard altercation after a guest struck a crew member aboard Icon of the Seas during a recent Caribbean sailing, an incident that was captured on video and widely shared on social media.
The confrontation occurred on the ship’s open decks during a 7-night Eastern Caribbean voyage that departed Miami on 6th December 2025.
Video footage shows a male guest in swimwear engaged in a heated exchange with crew members before throwing punches, including one that knocked a uniformed crew member to the deck.
The crew member, believed to be part of the ship’s lifeguard or deck safety team based on attire, did not retaliate.
Another crew member intervened to restrain the guest briefly before security personnel followed the individual away from the area.
The incident appears to have taken place near the ship’s waterslide complex, with signage and deck features visible in the footage. The guest is later seen walking away while making obscene gestures toward onlookers.
Lifetime Ban Likely
Royal Caribbean has not yet issued a public statement confirming what disciplinary action was taken, but the cruise line maintains a zero-tolerance policy for violence toward crew members.
Under company policy, guests involved in physical altercations may face confinement, removal at the next port, notification of local authorities, and permanent bans from sailing.
Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, carries more than 7,600 guests at maximum capacity and features extensive security coverage, including cameras throughout public areas.
She currently offers alternating itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, all lasting 7 nights.
Understandably, many cruisers on social media have criticised the guest after watching the video, hopeful that they will face criminal charges once they disembark.
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Every cruise line has its own list of prohibited items listed on their public website. And if you try to break these rules you could either have an item confiscated or find yourself permanently banned yourself. Both are not ideal outcomes.
As new technology is developed, and even as new trends pop up, this list of no-nos is updated.
MSC Cruises has recently updated their “ban list” to include the use of smart glasses on board their ships. Online forums and social media sites have lit up with comments and perspectives on the ban, but here is what we know.
The ban on smart glasses centers on devices, such as the new Meta Ray-Bans, that can record or transmit video while being worn.
In a world where these devices are becoming more common, the line between casual photography and discreet recording is blurring. The bigger question is what level of privacy a cruise passenger can expect on a cruise ship and if this ban will stand the test of time.
The Official Policy on Smart Glasses
MSC Cruises has added smart glasses to their list of forbidden items under their official policies page.
A direct quote from MSC Cruises’ luggage information section clarifies the rule:
“Devices capable of covertly or discreetly recording or transmitting data (e.g. smart glasses) are not allowed in ships public areas.”
While the policy is listed under “Items Forbidden Onboard,” the specific restriction to public areas sounds like it might mean that passengers may bring the glasses but will have them confiscated if they are wearing them around the common areas of the ship.
The Online Reaction
The reaction to this new ban really is divided. While there is a group of people who will playfully suggest extending the ban to cell phones in general (so there is more peace and quiet on the ship), others tout the usefulness of smart glasses, especially for the visually impaired.
A Reddit post about this new ban shows where the line of debate is drawn. While it’s easy to spot someone taking a video of the ship or taking pictures in the atrium, smart glasses are a little different, with one calling it “creepy behavior”.
Although it should be noted that most smart glasses like Meta Ray-Bans, have a bright light that shines when recording or taking a picture.
“Because one is inherently secretive. Phones having cameras are no longer a secret. If you see a phone in sight, you can imply you’re being recorded. Glasses tho? Unless someone is specifically looking for smart glasses, people won’t notice. Good on MSC for cracking down. Don’t need weirdos walking around a ship recording 24/7 for content on drunk strangers that they will eventually post online,” one user stated.
While cruise ships have public spaces, the ships themselves are owned by private companies. And passengers have to follow whatever rules are put in place. In this case, it seems that MSC Cruises is erring on the side of privacy, trying to get ahead of any potential issues that could come from someone unknowingly being recorded.
Finding a Balance
For cruisers, the new policy is a reminder to review all prohibited items and conduct rules before boarding. Other cruise lines could update their own policies in the future, and you don’t want to start your vacation by having some piece of tech confiscated.
Some see smart glasses as a fun and convenient way to take pictures and videos and even stream content, but if that ease of use makes it harder for others to enjoy a vacation in peace, it becomes an issue.
As someone who has shot a lot of video on cruise ships over the last decade, I always try to avoid having any people in my shots. After all, I know they’re just on vacation and don’t need to turn into “content” when they’re just trying to relax. But it’s usually pretty obvious by someone’s posture and how they are holding a phone if it’s recording or not.
Perhaps in the future there will be a better balance with smart glasses. But at least for now the cruise line is saying they can’t be worn in public areas. It’s the law of the land–I mean sea.
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