Fight on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas Forces Return to PortMiami

Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas returned to PortMiami on Monday evening after a brawl aboard the vessel left several guests injured and prompted ship medical staff to call for assistance, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and local media said.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said crews provided care to adult passengers involved in an altercation and that two people were taken to hospital. WSVN reported that the two injured passengers were transported from the ship for additional treatment.

A witness who spoke with local10 said people were seen running toward the pool area shortly before the ship’s captain announced the decision to return to port. Royal Caribbean said in a statement that its team provided medical care to adult guests involved in the altercation and that the guests were being treated for injuries. The company said it had notified local authorities and was cooperating with their inquiry, adding, “As this is an ongoing investigation, we have no more information to share at this time.”

The Wonder of the Seas is an Oasis-class vessel operated by Royal Caribbean and is among the world’s largest cruise ships. The company did not provide details about the cause of the altercation, the severity of the injuries, the nationalities of the passengers involved or whether any arrests had been made.

PortMiami authorities and fire rescue personnel were on scene after the ship docked. Officials have not released further details about the incident or the status of the ongoing investigation. Passengers were processed off the ship as authorities and the cruise line coordinated medical care and investigative steps.

Royal Caribbean’s statement and the accounts provided to local media represent the information available as investigators continue to examine the incident. The cruise line and local authorities have not announced any additional measures or changes to upcoming sailings of the vessel.