Shocking footage from on board a Carnival vessel dubbed the ‘cruise from hell’ has captured a violent brawl which caused frightened passengers to barricade themselves in their cabins.
Australian guests travelling on the 10-day South Pacific cruise on the Carnival Legend claim two groups of 30 warring passengers have engaged in multiple violent brawls with threats of stabbing and to throw people overboard.
Video filmed on a guest’s mobile phone shows both male and female passengers erupt into an all-in brawl as cruise security attempted to intervene, leaving some victims with savage bruises and cuts.
Australian guests travelling on the 10-day cruise on the Carnival Legend claim two groups of 30 warring passengers have engaged in multiple violent brawls (pictured) with threats of stabbing and to throw people overboard
Video filmed on a guest’s mobile phone shows both male and female passengers erupt into an all-in brawl as cruise security attempted to intervene, leaving some victims with savage bruises and cuts
Horrified holidaymakers claim they feared for their safety and refused to leave their cabins as the fights between the feuding passengers turned into a ‘bloodbath’.
One man, named Michael, was brutally kicked while he was pinned to the ground and received cuts and bruising to his face, back and legs.
Chaotic scenes were captured as security guards could be seen repeatedly kicking a passenger after he falls to the ground before another staff member pinned him down.
One man could be heard saying, ‘Don’t hit my girlfriend’ as a security guard pretended to lunge at a woman.
A woman could also be heard saying: ‘Do not touch him’
One man, named Michael, was brutally kicked while he was pinned to the ground and received cuts and bruising to his face, back and legs (Pictured left and right)
George Barkho (pictured) was caught up in the violence and called his father at 1am
At one point during the footage a member of cruise staff attempts to stop the person behind the camera from filming the incident.
Michael revealed the extent of his brutal injuries in harrowing photographs shared with 3AW.
Witnesses claim as many as 30 feuding passengers were involved in the violent on board clashes which occurred in common areas in front of families.
‘We are so scared after witnessing a traumatic experience with yet again the same offenders. It was a bloodbath,’ the anonymous guest said.
‘We will not be leaving our cabins and are truly scared for our safety and what could happen in the next 24 hours.’
Some guests have even described their ocean holiday as the ‘cruise from hell’.
At one point during the footage a member of cruise staff attempts to stop the person behind the camera from filming the incident
Witnesses claim as many as 30 feuding passengers were involved in the violent on board clashes
The cruise ship made an unexpected stop in Eden, New South Wales to remove the offending passengers
David Barkho, the father of a 20-year-old man caught up in the violence, told 3AW he received a frantic phone call from his injured son at 1am.
‘He said, “Please Dad, please, call the Federal Police”,’ Mr Barkho said.
‘I could hear a lot of screaming, crying in the background.’
Mr Barkho also alleges cruise security staff are attempting to destroy images and footage from the incident.
‘He (George) said, “The security came in and took his phone, and deleted a lot of images”,’ he added.
Passenger Kellie Petersen told 3AW it was 27 people from one big ‘family group’ inciting the violence.
One horrified passenger told Nine News they are genuinely frightened of the offending holidaymakers and are hesitant to leave the safety of their rooms (Pictured one alleged offender)
Pictured is the Carnival Legend arriving at a port in Eden, New South Wales, on Friday morning
‘We have been told to watch our backs by this group,’ she said.
‘They fought in front of my children in the pool… five of them surrounded my husband.’
The cruise liner has made an unexpected stop at a port in Eden, New South Wales, before it heads to Melbourne tomorrow.
NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that a police operation is underway at the port on the NSW south coast.
Police received reports of passengers fighting on board the Carnival Legend and a number of people are expected to be removed from the vessel.
Carnival Cruise Lines have released a statement to Daily Mail Australia saying: ‘The vast majority of the guests on board Carnival Legend are enjoying their 10-day cruise holiday to the South Pacific.’
‘The ship’s highly trained security staff have engaged with a small group of disruptive guests and ensured that they are fully aware of and are compliant with our zero tolerance policy. This strong approach is in line with our commitment to safety as the number one priority.’
Some guests have even described their ocean holiday as the ‘cruise from hell’ (Carnival Legend pictured)
The Carnival Legend is due to dock in Melbourne, its home port for 2018, tomorrow.
It is not the first time Australian passengers have complained of violence on board cruise ships.
The P&O Explorer was forced to turn back to Sydney after a brawl erupted when a female passenger allegedly ‘hit a guy over the head with a bottle of wine’ last week.
There was a 30 minute brawl on the ship involving at least 15 passengers, according to witnesses.
Seven people – six men and one 37-year-old Russian woman – were arrested and escorted off the cruise.