Lifetime Ban For Ugly Incident On Carnival Jubilee

Twenty-four passengers were permanently banned from Carnival Cruise Line after a chaotic brawl erupted during disembarkation from the Carnival Jubilee in Galveston, leading to multiple detentions and one arrest.

Key Takeaways

Twenty-four passengers received lifetime bans from Carnival Cruise Line following a violent altercation at Galveston’s Cruise Terminal 25 on April 26, 2025.
Video footage captured by witnesses shows passengers shoving past security barriers, exchanging punches, and causing chaos among disembarking travelers.
The incident occurred in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection-controlled debarkation area, resulting in several detentions and one formal arrest by Port of Galveston Police.
The cause of the fight remains unknown, though Carnival has firmly stated a zero-tolerance policy for violent behavior.
This incident follows a similar brawl on Carnival Paradise in June 2024, raising questions about passenger conduct on cruise vacations.

Chaos at Carnival Terminal

A Caribbean cruise vacation ended in turmoil for dozens of passengers aboard the Carnival Jubilee when violence erupted during disembarkation at Galveston, Texas on April 26. The ship, returning from a voyage with stops in Mexico and Honduras, became the scene of disorder as travelers began the process of returning home. Social media quickly filled with videos showing passengers shoving past barriers, engaging in physical altercations, and causing widespread disruption in the terminal area.

The Port of Galveston Police Department responded immediately to what they described as “an altercation” at Cruise Terminal 25. The confrontation took place in the debarkation area under the jurisdiction of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Several individuals were detained by CBP officers during the incident, with port police formally arresting and charging one person. Luggage was seen scattered across the floor as security personnel attempted to restore order.

Carnival’s Swift Response

Carnival Cruise Line issued a statement confirming that 24 passengers involved in the altercation have been permanently added to their “Do Not Sail” list, effectively banning them from future voyages on any Carnival vessel. The cruise line emphasized their position against such behavior with a firm declaration that showed no room for leniency in cases involving physical confrontations between passengers.

“The incident occurred in the debarkation area under the authority of U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” a Carnival Cruise Line representative stated. “The matter was turned over to law enforcement. We will not tolerate such behavior, and 24 people have been placed on our Do Not Sail list.”

The company’s quick action to ban those involved demonstrates their commitment to maintaining safety standards for all passengers. Carnival’s decision to issue lifetime bans sends a clear message to future travelers about the consequences of violent conduct during their cruises. The cruise industry as a whole has struggled with occasional incidents of passenger misconduct, often complicated by the international nature of maritime travel.

Recurring Issues for Carnival

This latest incident follows another large-scale fight that broke out aboard the Carnival Paradise in June 2024, suggesting a concerning pattern for the cruise line. While cruise vacations remain overwhelmingly peaceful for the vast majority of travelers, these high-profile incidents can damage the industry’s reputation for providing safe, family-friendly experiences. The cause of the Galveston altercation remains unclear, with none of the parties involved offering public explanations.

“It went down this morning,” wrote witness Trelle Ray, who shared footage of the chaos online.

Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate the incident, though no additional arrests have been reported beyond the initial one made at the scene. The Carnival Jubilee, one of the newest ships in the Carnival fleet, accommodates approximately 6,500 passengers and crew members at maximum capacity. The vast majority of those onboard were uninvolved and likely inconvenienced by the disruption as they attempted to complete their journey home after what should have been a relaxing vacation.