by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:45 AM ET, Mon February 19, 2018
UPDATE: 2:55 p.m. ET 2/19/2018
Following a series of fights that saw 23 people sailing on the Carnival Legend removed from the ship Friday, Carnival Cruise Line released an official statement to TravelPulse Monday:
"We have a zero-tolerance approach to excessive behavior that affects other guests. In line with this policy, we cooperated fully with local authorities in Australia to remove a large family group who had been involved in disruptive acts aboard the vessel."
"Our security team responded in several instances to extremely unruly behavior by these guests while the ship was at sea. One particular altercation in the nightclub began when the group physically attacked other guests. The actions seen on the video by our security team are not in line with our values and policies. We are conducting a full investigation and will take appropriate corrective action as necessary."
"All guests were disembarked Saturday, February 17 from the ship in Melbourne, Australia following completion of their 10-day South Pacific cruise. They have been offered a 25 percent future cruise credit as a goodwill gesture."
"We sincerely regret that the unruly conduct and actions of the passengers removed from the ship in Australia may have prevented some of our guests from fully enjoying their cruise."
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Original Text
A 10-day Carnival Cruise Line voyage was forced to dock Saturday in Melbourne after 23 passengers were removed from the ship the day prior for causing violent brawls and engaging in disruptive behavior.
According to Reuters.com, a large family of 23 people sailing on the Carnival Legend Friday began fighting with other passengers and staff members, causing the captain to call for an emergency stop in Eden, New South Wales.
Australian police met the ship and unloaded the unruly passengers. Video of the incidents surfaced online Monday, showing several security officers kicking passengers after they were down on the floor.
In response to the incidents and the video of its security personnel using physical force on passengers, the Carnival Corporation has launched an investigation into how the situation was handled by crew members.
"The level of excessive behavior experienced on the cruise was unprecedented," a Carnival spokesperson said in a statement. "We have apologized to guests who were directly affected by it."
Australian police also announced they are investigating the fights.
For the passengers and their families on the cruise who were not directly involved in the altercations, but still had to deal with the aftermath, Carnival offered a 25 percent cruise credit for a future voyage.
Several passengers reportedly locked themselves in their cabins in order to escape what became three days of violence. Another passenger onboard spoke to an Australian news agency about the whole ordeal.
"We are so scared after witnessing a traumatic experience with yet again the same offenders," the passenger told 9 News. "It was a bloodbath."
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