For years, Carnival Cruise Line has marketed itself as an affordable option for travelers hoping to enjoy a wide range of activities even without leaving the ship. Its fleet-wide youth programming caters to children, pre-teens, and teens from infancy through age 17, while water slides, arcades, and mini-golf courses add to the company’s “Fun Ship” reputation.
However, Carnival is also known for its energetic party atmosphere, especially on the cruise line’s shorter sailings, where bars, nightclubs, casinos, and unlimited drink packages are all major parts of the experience. While most passengers enjoy these amenities without causing problems, excessive drinking can occasionally lead to disruptive onboard behavior.
Unfortunately, that’s what happened on a recent sailing aboard Carnival Glory. One passenger was arrested earlier this week after authorities said he struck two children who were playing in a ship hallway.
Passenger Arrested After Hitting Children On Carnival Glory
The incident happened aboard Carnival Glory on Sunday, July 26, during a three-night sailing from Port Canaveral to Celebration Key, Carnival’s private destination in The Bahamas, which opened last year amid scrutiny over its loyalty program.
Carnival Glory Facts:
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Entered Service: |
July 14, 2003 |
|---|---|
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Total Guest Capacity: |
3,756 |
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Gross Tonnage: |
110,000 GT |
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Number of Guest Decks: |
13 |
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Routes: |
2- to 5-day sailings from Port Canaveral to The Bahamas |
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, three children had been playing tag in one of the ship’s hallways when they encountered 44-year-old passenger David Crosby II. The affidavit also mentions that Crosby was himself running down the hallway before he “suddenly stopped running and struck” two of the children.
One child suffered a bleeding lip and head pain after being struck in the face. The second child was punched in the stomach and complained of pain afterward.
Authorities said the incident was recorded by the ship’s cameras. However, it’s unknown if Crosby knew the children.
The Passenger Said He Couldn’t Remember The Incident
The affidavit states that Crosby was “heavily intoxicated” at that time, and he later stated that he couldn’t remember the encounter. Nevertheless, a lack of memory due to intoxication didn’t stop authorities from moving forward with the criminal charges.
Crosby was booked into the Brevard County Jail on July 27 and charged with two counts of child abuse without great bodily harm. Jail records show that he was released the following day after posting a $20,000 bond.
TheTravel has contacted Carnival Cruise Line for more information about the incident, including how its security team responded and whether the passenger has been banned from future sailings. While those questions remain unanswered, online commenters are debating what led up to the alleged assault.
Some Travelers Questioned Why The Children Were Playing In The Hallway
The passenger was condemned for the assault online, but some travelers also questioned why the children were playing tag in the ship’s hallway. Responding to a YouTube video by Doug Parker of Cruise News Today, one viewer asked, “Why were these children allowed to play tag in the hallway? Where were their parents?”
Another commenter wondered about their ages and whether their behavior contributed to the encounter, also writing, “The man’s actions were wrong, but I also wonder if the youths were out of line as well.”
Others commented on Carnival’s “booze cruise” reputation, speculating that the cruise line is struggling to balance excessive drinking with a family-friendly atmosphere.
“It’s wild to hear about another incident on Carnival; it really seems like they are struggling to maintain order between the excessive drinking and the unsupervised children running through the halls,” one viewer wrote. “It makes you wonder how effective their policies actually are.”
The discussion raises a larger question about how Carnival enforces its alcohol and guest-conduct policies onboard.
Carnival’s Conduct Policy Addresses Excessive Drinking And Disruptive Behavior
Carnival’s Code of Conduct asks adults to supervise children and minimize hallway noise.
“Our experience has taught us that everyone has a better time when children are supervised, noise in the hallways is kept to a minimum…” it says.
However, the code of conduct also notes that disruptive behavior affecting another guest’s comfort or safety isn’t tolerated.
With regard to excessive alcohol consumption and misconduct, Carnival makes its limits clear in its CHEERS! beverage program FAQs. Guests are limited to 15 alcoholic drinks per day, although the cruise line can suspend a passenger’s drinking privilege if they appear drunk.
“Carnival has a number of procedures in place to monitor guests’ alcohol consumption and bartenders are trained to look for signs of intoxication and will discontinue serving guests who appear to be intoxicated. Certain flags have been built into the system that are designed to monitor guests’ alcohol consumption and encourage responsible use of the program,” Carnival’s website states.
Those who violate Carnival’s conduct rules face the following:
- A $500 fine
- Confinement to their stateroom
- Removal from the ship at their own expense
- A ban from future Carnival sailings
It remains unclear whether Crosby’s access to alcohol had been restricted prior to the incident, or what consequences he faced before the ship returned to port. But regardless of how Carnival handled the situation, it also highlights why parents should be aware of where their children are onboard a cruise ship.
