‘Unprecedented’ violence on Carnival Legend sparks security scrutiny
By Cruising With Honey - 14:54
'Unprecedented' Violence On Carnival Legend
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Legend has made headlines around the world for all the wrong reasons after a group of unruly passengers were kicked off the ship in an unprecedented act by Carnival Cruise line Australia.
And despite a 25% future credit offer, loyal passengers whose holidays were affected by the melee, have vowed to “never, ever again” cruise aboard the ship.
Distressing footage emerged on Friday, 16 February showing a violent scuffle between passengers and security involving numerous individuals that occurred in the early hours of Friday morning, the second last day of the 10-night South Pacific cruise.
Six men and three teenage boys were removed from the ship at Twofold Bay in Eden on Friday morning. Another 14 passengers, including women and children left the ship voluntarily. No one has been charged following the incident, NSW Police said.
First-hand accounts have been extensively reported in numerous news outlets and discussions on social media have been emotionally charged and filled with speculation.
Speaking exclusively with Cruising With Honey soon after the Legend returned to Melbourne on Saturday, Jennifer Vandekreeke Carnival Cruise Line Vice President and General Manger Australia said she was “highly distressed” by the incident.
“We would only take this action [of removing the passengers] as a last resort. This was unprecedented and it was a tough call to make, but it was also the right call to make,” Ms Vandekreeke said.
“The individuals who were removed will absolutely not cruise with Carnival again.
“I have spent the morning speaking with about 1500 people – walking up and down the line of passengers - talking to all the children first."
Ms Vandekreeke vehemently stressed the crew and officers “did the right thing” in removing the people from the ship.
“It was heart warming talking to the disembarked guests of which some, not all, had their cruise affected by the incident. Some passengers had no idea of the unruly behaviour.”
A statement released by Carnival Australia said the cruiseline has a “zero-tolerance approach to excessive behaviour that affects other guests” with Ms Vandekreeke reinforcing this policy.
“We act in the best interest for the safety and security of the passengers and crew.
“We really do regret this, 100%, and regret the impact it had on some of the guests – this is what has been the hardest for me. There were guests who this has been hard for, and this must be frustrating,” she said.
Ms Vandekreeke further added that the cruiseline had “never faced something of this scale” and a full investigation has been launched to ensure procedures are put into place “so it never happens again.”
“We have a significant security force who are out and about on the ship, among them a former New York policeman, a former NSW water police officer – people who know what they’re doing.
“I wasn’t on board, but there will be an investigation and we will be looking at the timeline and the steps that were taken to de-escalate.”
However, numerous passengers who contacted Cruising With Honey have detailed the inaction and inability of the security aboard the Legend as “hopeless.”
One passenger, who only wants to use his first name, Mark, said the incidents started from the first day of the cruise.
“I’ve worked as a prison officer for over 25 years, and I sat on Deck 9 most of the time, as I’m a smoker. So, I watch a lot of what was happening on the ship, and I can honestly say this group were out to cause trouble from Day 1,” Mark said.
Mark, who described the large family group as “mums, dad, kids, cousins” were involved in numerous incidents during the cruise, which involved aggressive and unsafe behaviour.
“There was a punch-up in the pool, there were kids around. The security officer stood on the edge of the pool and told them to get out. I was astounded. Soon after, I saw them shaking hands and patting them on the back,” he said.
“It’s not that there wasn’t a security presence, I saw them walking around the decks. It was that they did nothing. I don’t know if it was a combination of a lack of skills or if they were intimidated, but it was obvious they did not know how to deal with it.”
Mark said he sat with one of the fathers in the group, and had a conversation with him. He said while alcohol may have been one factor, it wasn’t the cause of the trouble.
“I didn’t see any of them drunk, they were drinking but not excessively.
“But, it was like watching a powder keg, every day it was getting worse – you just knew it was going to blow.”
He added that the “dad” even participated in the anti-social behaviour.
“He was picking up sun lounges with his kids on them and throwing them into the pool. He was jumping in the pool with his kids on his shoulders.
“I even witnessed one of the younger blokes standing over a young guy and his girlfriend as they were sunbaking, basically using stand-over tactics.”
Other cruisers aboard have described the cruise as “hell”. One passenger who was aboard the ship as his father’s carer contacted Cruising With Honey and said he was too afraid to leave his cabin.
“My father has Parkinson’s and in a wheelchair. He was too afraid to leave his cabin, so we stayed in for most of the cruise. He was shaking so bad from fear that he had to double his medication.”
“We would only take this action [of removing the passengers] as a last resort. This was unprecedented and it was a tough call to make, but it was also the right call to make,” Ms Vandekreeke said.
“The individuals who were removed will absolutely not cruise with Carnival again.
“I have spent the morning speaking with about 1500 people – walking up and down the line of passengers - talking to all the children first."
Ms Vandekreeke vehemently stressed the crew and officers “did the right thing” in removing the people from the ship.
“It was heart warming talking to the disembarked guests of which some, not all, had their cruise affected by the incident. Some passengers had no idea of the unruly behaviour.”
A statement released by Carnival Australia said the cruiseline has a “zero-tolerance approach to excessive behaviour that affects other guests” with Ms Vandekreeke reinforcing this policy.
“We act in the best interest for the safety and security of the passengers and crew.
“We really do regret this, 100%, and regret the impact it had on some of the guests – this is what has been the hardest for me. There were guests who this has been hard for, and this must be frustrating,” she said.
Ms Vandekreeke further added that the cruiseline had “never faced something of this scale” and a full investigation has been launched to ensure procedures are put into place “so it never happens again.”
“We have a significant security force who are out and about on the ship, among them a former New York policeman, a former NSW water police officer – people who know what they’re doing.
“I wasn’t on board, but there will be an investigation and we will be looking at the timeline and the steps that were taken to de-escalate.”
However, numerous passengers who contacted Cruising With Honey have detailed the inaction and inability of the security aboard the Legend as “hopeless.”
One passenger, who only wants to use his first name, Mark, said the incidents started from the first day of the cruise.
“I’ve worked as a prison officer for over 25 years, and I sat on Deck 9 most of the time, as I’m a smoker. So, I watch a lot of what was happening on the ship, and I can honestly say this group were out to cause trouble from Day 1,” Mark said.
Mark, who described the large family group as “mums, dad, kids, cousins” were involved in numerous incidents during the cruise, which involved aggressive and unsafe behaviour.
“There was a punch-up in the pool, there were kids around. The security officer stood on the edge of the pool and told them to get out. I was astounded. Soon after, I saw them shaking hands and patting them on the back,” he said.
“It’s not that there wasn’t a security presence, I saw them walking around the decks. It was that they did nothing. I don’t know if it was a combination of a lack of skills or if they were intimidated, but it was obvious they did not know how to deal with it.”
Mark said he sat with one of the fathers in the group, and had a conversation with him. He said while alcohol may have been one factor, it wasn’t the cause of the trouble.
“I didn’t see any of them drunk, they were drinking but not excessively.
“But, it was like watching a powder keg, every day it was getting worse – you just knew it was going to blow.”
He added that the “dad” even participated in the anti-social behaviour.
“He was picking up sun lounges with his kids on them and throwing them into the pool. He was jumping in the pool with his kids on his shoulders.
“I even witnessed one of the younger blokes standing over a young guy and his girlfriend as they were sunbaking, basically using stand-over tactics.”
Other cruisers aboard have described the cruise as “hell”. One passenger who was aboard the ship as his father’s carer contacted Cruising With Honey and said he was too afraid to leave his cabin.
“My father has Parkinson’s and in a wheelchair. He was too afraid to leave his cabin, so we stayed in for most of the cruise. He was shaking so bad from fear that he had to double his medication.”
Despite the negative experiences many cruisers have recounted, loyal Carnival fans have praised the action by the security team and have stated on Facebook the incident will not affect their decision to cruise with the cruiseline in the future.
Phil Sutton, who has cruised aboard Carnival 42 times, wrote: “I have full confidence in the ability of Carnival's security staff to keep me safe on a cruise. They have always treated my wife and I with respect and have been as friendly as any other staff. [I’m] looking forward to our next cruise.”
Diana Green wrote: “These things can happen anywhere... a cruise ship just balloons the situation because it’s confined.”
Nichole Doyle wrote: “We are looking at going on a big cruise with Carnival towards the end of the year; myself, my partner and our kids, my brother-in-law and his older children… and still want to go.”
Dianne Webb wrote: “Carnival have and will always have my support. Have always felt 100% secure on board. You can get trouble makers anywhere. Felt sad for passengers who were impacted by a few who demonstrated bad anti-social and unacceptable behaviour.”
While Carnival will have a long road ahead of them to repair their reputation and rebuild confidence in Australian cruisers, Ms Vandekreeke hopes that she is given the chance to prove her commitment to offer cruisers a “fun” holiday.
“My message to cruisers who were aboard is that this cruise was by no way shape or form an indication of a Carnival guest experience,” she said.
“I have travelled with my kids on Carnival - at least twice a year - since they were 1-year-old, and I have never have at any point had concerns for their safety or the security.
“I welcome the opportunity to show cruisers a true Carnival guest experience. We are offering a 25 per cent Future Cruise Credit as a goodwill gesture. Those aboard wanted to have a wonderful holiday, and some didn’t and that is highly distressing.
“I hope to have the opportunity to win back those who have said they will never cruise with us again and offer them a true Carnival experience.”
Ms Vandekreeke said the matter is currently is under police investigation.
Phil Sutton, who has cruised aboard Carnival 42 times, wrote: “I have full confidence in the ability of Carnival's security staff to keep me safe on a cruise. They have always treated my wife and I with respect and have been as friendly as any other staff. [I’m] looking forward to our next cruise.”
Diana Green wrote: “These things can happen anywhere... a cruise ship just balloons the situation because it’s confined.”
Nichole Doyle wrote: “We are looking at going on a big cruise with Carnival towards the end of the year; myself, my partner and our kids, my brother-in-law and his older children… and still want to go.”
Dianne Webb wrote: “Carnival have and will always have my support. Have always felt 100% secure on board. You can get trouble makers anywhere. Felt sad for passengers who were impacted by a few who demonstrated bad anti-social and unacceptable behaviour.”
While Carnival will have a long road ahead of them to repair their reputation and rebuild confidence in Australian cruisers, Ms Vandekreeke hopes that she is given the chance to prove her commitment to offer cruisers a “fun” holiday.
“My message to cruisers who were aboard is that this cruise was by no way shape or form an indication of a Carnival guest experience,” she said.
“I have travelled with my kids on Carnival - at least twice a year - since they were 1-year-old, and I have never have at any point had concerns for their safety or the security.
“I welcome the opportunity to show cruisers a true Carnival guest experience. We are offering a 25 per cent Future Cruise Credit as a goodwill gesture. Those aboard wanted to have a wonderful holiday, and some didn’t and that is highly distressing.
“I hope to have the opportunity to win back those who have said they will never cruise with us again and offer them a true Carnival experience.”
Ms Vandekreeke said the matter is currently is under police investigation.
