Another day, another viral meltdown — this time, on the not-so-high seas of a Carnival cruise ship docked in Galveston, Texas. A disturbing video posted to Facebook on April 26 captured what looked less like a vacation wrap-up and more like a scene from a prison yard: luggage flying, fists swinging, and a crowd of passengers reduced to pure chaos.

The footage, posted by passenger Trelle Ray, lit up social media with scenes of unruly passengers engaged in a full-blown melee. Ray summed it up with a blunt caption: “It went down this morning ‼️ #CarnivalJubilee #carnivalcruise.” Indeed it did — and not in a good way.

According to a spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Line, the brawl broke out in the debarkation area, technically under the oversight of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Law enforcement quickly got involved, and 24 individuals were slapped with lifetime bans from ever sailing with Carnival again. As the spokesperson made clear, “We will not tolerate such behavior.”

But let’s not pretend this is some isolated incident. These shipboard scuffles are becoming alarmingly common, especially on budget cruise lines that have traded class for chaos. In a rush to fill cabins, cruise companies like Carnival have slashed prices, pumped unlimited alcohol into passengers, and turned what used to be a luxurious getaway into a floating frat house.

In this case, the melee erupted just after the ship returned from a week-long Caribbean voyage — and judging by the crowd’s behavior, it’s clear not everyone used that time to relax. Some seemed to have spent the week ramping up the rowdiness, culminating in an embarrassing display that played out in front of families, children, and law enforcement alike.

The video made the rounds on X (formerly Twitter), where users didn’t hold back. One commenter nailed the sentiment of many: “Imagine saving up for your dream cruise and then walking into the terminal and seeing this.” Another quipped, “Funny, Carnival is on my ‘do not sail’ list.” You’re not alone.

Others called for real consequences beyond just a cruise ban. One viral reply suggested expanding a “no-fly list” concept to all taxpayer-funded travel — planes, trains, and even cruise ships. If someone can’t behave in public, why should they be rewarded with access to subsidized or regulated transportation?

Veteran cruisers chimed in too, describing a noticeable decline in passenger quality — especially on Carnival. One seasoned traveler explained, “Our family’s only negative cruise experience was on Carnival. The crowds were young, drunk, and traveling in large groups of frenemies. Add alcohol and tight quarters, and everyone’s trip is ruined.”

And then there’s the elephant in the stateroom: the “you get what you pay for” problem. Social media lit up with comments criticizing Carnival for deliberately marketing itself as the discount cruise line — a strategy that’s clearly backfiring. “Low-cost cruise equals low-cost people,” one user wrote bluntly. Another added, “Carnival is known as the party cruise. I’ve been on many cruises, but I refuse to go on Carnival again.”

In a time when civility is in short supply and personal responsibility is treated like a punchline, maybe it’s no surprise that floating booze buffets are turning into brawling battlegrounds. But make no mistake — this isn’t just about one cruise line. It’s about a culture that’s lost its sense of decorum and a travel industry that’s willing to look the other way in the name of profit.

For now, Carnival may be banning 24 passengers, but perhaps it’s time the company looked in the mirror. When you sell chaos, don’t be shocked when your customers deliver.