Massive brawl on Carnival Magic cruise ship

   June 30, 2022 ,   Accidents

The US Coast Guard (USCG) was called in after a bar fight on a CCL-Carnival Cruise Line ship.

That rare call came in on Tuesday, June 28, from the Carnival Magic ship which was on her way back to New York (Cape Liberty Bayonne NJ-NYC) when a large-scale fracas broke out in the ship's nightclub. 

At 05:20 a.m. the New York City Police Department (NYPD) received a call reporting an altercation onboard Carnival Magic. According to the agency, while the ship was sailing close to Verrazzano Narrows, an early-morning party had deteriorated into an all-out brawl. A group of ~40-60 passengers had joined into a physical altercation on the dance floor. All were captured on video by a bystander at the bar. The footage showed a sole security guard, outnumbered and radioing for backup. 

The USCG dispatched a boat crew from Staten Island to escort Carnival Magic back to the pier, where she was met by New York City Police Department officers.

In a statement CCL said:

"Last night while Carnival Magic was returning to New York, a number of guests were involved in an altercation in a nightclub.

"Thankfully no serious injuries were reported and our onboard security team intervened. The ship arrived as scheduled this morning and shoreside law enforcement authorities were notified." 

An investigation is currently ongoing and no charges have been announced in the case.

The correct jurisdiction will depend on the location of the ship (international waters, territorial seas, New Jersey/New York state waters).

For more Carnival Magic incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.