Drunk Passenger Causes Chaos on Royal Caribbean Cruise from San Pedro

A Royal Caribbean cruise departing from San Pedro, California, turned chaotic when a drunk passenger caused a violent scene on the Navigator of the Seas. The incident occurred just an hour after the ship set sail for Ensenada, Mexico. Christopher Mikhail, who was celebrating his and his wife’s birthdays and anniversary with family and friends, described how the intoxicated man threatened to kill them and began chasing them down the hallway. Cell phone video captured the shirtless man kicking doors, shouting profanities and racial slurs, while passengers and crew tried to avoid him.

The situation escalated when the man attacked a crew member and punched another passenger with such force that they were thrown several feet. The ship’s security team eventually contained the situation, using pepper spray, handcuffs, towels, and zip ties to subdue the unruly passenger. He was taken into custody and placed in one of the ship’s onboard jails for the remainder of the trip. Despite the organized response from the security team, the incident marred the beginning of what was supposed to be a celebratory vacation for the passengers.

Royal Caribbean has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident, but reports suggest that the FBI was involved in discussions with management and passengers. The Navigator of the Seas continued its voyage to Ensenada as planned, but for many passengers, the chaotic start overshadowed the weekend getaway. This incident adds to a series of fights within the cruise industry, including a recent altercation on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and a brawl at the lido buffet on a Carnival Cruise Line ship over the summer. The Navigator of the Seas typically sails short cruises to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico.

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