All out Brawl in Atrium of the Sky

[Virginiacruiser126]

Just back from a quick getaway on the Sky. I've cruised NCL before but have done most of my cruises on Carnival and RCL. A group of 11 decided to do a last minute family break on the Sky.

 

Our welcome aboard was that on Friday night after dinner, we set up shop at the Atrium Bar to enjoy some of the live music. At about 10 PM things got interesting when a fist fight broke out near the elevators. A security guard was pushed into a table set up with jewelry and a huge spotlight came crashing to the ground. It was complete chaos. The passenger was handcuffed to the railing but another man was trying to pull him away from ship security and a woman was yelling loudly for them to get off of the man. Other passengers quickly gathered and were adding their two cents in. One man was taping the incident and then ship's security was more concerned about getting him to delete the video/photos than containing the incident. When security tried to move the man from the banister, he started fighting them again and ripped a security guard's shirt. It definitely showed the NCL's security is ill prepared if a real incident takes place on board because the unruly passenger wasn't particularly tall or large and he kept the whole thing going for quite a while. Other ship employees were just standing there doing nothing. Seemed like in a crisis situation they should have been trying to clear the area, calling for someone, or doing something more than just standing around in shock. They finally handcuffed the man and lead him right past where our group was huddled against the window trying to stay away from the fight. A large group followed along after the man. I have cruised over a dozen times, including cruises during Spring Break and I have NEVER seen an episode like this on a cruise. NCL's security has a big problem and I certainly didn't feel particularly safe in the situation and the unlimted booze flowing around thanks to the comped UBP certainly didn't help matters as other men tried to get involved in the mix with the help of some liquid courage.

 

NCL needs to have security on board who can handle an emergency situation even if it only happens once in a while. With drinks flowing and the UBP being a comp for many cruisers they should be better prepared to handle unruly passengers especially when things break out in a highly traveled common area filled with families and guests of all ages. We had two very frightened children that we had to keep swearing to them that we'd never seen behavior like this on a cruise and we're veteran cruisers.

 

I'm not sure what started the event but it certainly did draw a crowd since it was in the atrium. The crew members were saying he was likely going to be put off the ship in Nassau the next morning. Not sure what happened to the one or two men who tried to insert themselves into the mix and to the guy who was video taping/taking pictures that security became more concerned with. Needless to say it was a rocky way to start a cruise!

[Island_Chica]

People are insane, I swear. I've witnessed physical fights while traveling twice:

1. While at a blackjack table at the "nicest" resort in San Juan, PR, two guys sitting on the other side of the table got into a fight and one stood up and choked the other guy out completely, knocking him and his chair to the floor. Security did NOT deal with it well or quickly.

 

2. While watching fireworks at Epcot about 10 years ago, two guys (one a park employee - shortly thereafter a FORMER employee, I'm sure) got into a fistfight over a girl. That was contained quickly by security and other guests of the park. Disney's park security is pretty darn good, from what I witnessed.

 

Crazy people are everywhere, but you are right that security's response is important when these kinds of things happen. Hopefully the powers that be at NCL will read this and take proper measures to increase security.

[TheDougOut]

Interesting start indeed!

 

This kind of thing can happen anywhere. I was on a Celebrity cruise where the opening night's show had to be cut short because of a verbal altercation between a couple of guys in the crowd. It was very awkward - with the cruise director attempting to diffuse the situation from the stage while the guys exchanged verbal insults in the silenced theatre. The thing lasted for a good 4-5 minutes, with no security ever showing up. Having come from NCL, we jokingly branded Celebrity as "free for all cruising".

[Virginiacruiser126]

Yes! Totally agree that this can happen anywhere and certainly isn't unique to NCL. Just seemed like the "security" they had on board weren't able to handle a passenger who really wasn't even that big. Also the lack of response from other NCL employees assigned to the area was a surprise. And after the whole episode wrapped up, NCL should have had someone going around to those of us who were seated in the area and clearly saw the whole thing go down to reassure us that things were being handled and to apologize for the disruption at the minimum. A few words from a manager or someone showing some bit of concern would have gone a long way.

[punkincc]

I certainly am not going to second guess NCL security and how they choose to handle a situation. I am sure they are well trained, and I'm sure a very high priority for them is to make every attempt to de escalate a situation whenever possible, rather than go in with guns blazing, so to speak. Would you have preferred to see a knock down drag out fist fight with security and several others involved? Probably better to proceed as they did.

 

There was once a video link posted here taken by a ship passenger of a guy who apparently had gotten a little out of control. Security was apparently preparing to take him into custody when he retreated to the middle of the empty pool and stayed there for quite some time, shouting and acting a fool. Security waited him out calmly and patiently, and eventually the guy figured out that he had no where to go and it ended very quietly. I'm sure security could have used force to take this guy out with no problem, but is that something you want your 5 year old to observe?

Edited December 1, 2015 by punkincc

[MMOMOM]

That's too bad, but I hope the rest of your vacation went well! As others have said, it can happen anywhere. However, from my travel experience, as well as cruising, it might be a little more common on cruises since everyone is confined into one space .... not to mention the alcohol. People tend to drink more while cruising. Not only is it vacation, but they don't have to drive, etc. so maybe let their guard down a little. I'm not so sure these drink packages are a good idea. Just my opinion of course. But when you are paying for each drink instead of 'unlimited' some people can get out of control and when alcohol is involved, it can go anywhere. Of course not everyone behaves that way, but many do and this is what happens. It is what it is. Guess we all just need to be on guard and when things look like they 'might' go South, time to move to another area, just in case! Hope you had a great time regardless!

[Virginiacruiser126]

It definitely was a knock down drag out. With lots of people rolling around on the floor and a lot of other passengers dragged into it! Definitely didn't ruin our cruise and we had a great time regardless but just was something I've never seen before and definitely didn't seem to be handled well in my opinion.

 

I've been in other situations where things have gone south and seems like they were handled much more quickly and efficiently. Granted in the chaos there's always a lot of "coulda, shoulda, woulda" but the lack of response from other NCL employees in the area and the way security couldn't seem to get a handle on the situation and other passengers had to step in to try to calm other guests was a big eyebrow raiser for me....

[mianmike]

I certainly am not going to second guess NCL security and how they choose to handle a situation. I am sure they are well trained, and I'm sure a very high priority for them is to make every attempt to de escalate a situation whenever possible, rather than go in with guns blazing, so to speak. Would you have preferred to see a knock down drag out fist fight with security and several others involved? Probably better to proceed as they did.

 

There was once a video link posted here taken by a ship passenger of a guy who apparently had gotten a little out of control. Security was apparently preparing to take him into custody when he retreated to the middle of the empty pool and stayed there for quite some time, shouting and acting a fool. Security waited him out calmly and patiently, and eventually the guy figured out that he had no where to go and it ended very quietly. I'm sure security could have used force to take this guy out with no problem, but is that something you want your 5 year old to observe?

 

I saw that video. NCL security was totally ill prepared for dealing with the subject. I certainly wouldn’t want my five-year-old to witness the fight and inappropriate behavior that seemed to last forever as NCL security’s ineptitude exacerbated the situation. It was clearly evident NCL security has very little training in dealing with that type of situation. There are verbal deescalating techniques that should have been attempted rather than just continually trying to pull him out of the pool. It was embarrassing.

[TheManitoban]

No substitution for experience. Seen lots of security go through formal training and then not have a clue what to do in a real situation. I worked for a large casino (briefly) and there was lots of security as you can imagine. In the time I was there I only observed one all out fist fight and I was the only one to react, running from a different area of the casino to intervene. The other security were frozen.

 

I came from working in nightclubs where your instincts and reflexes can be the difference between life and death. I've intervened many times as a "civilian" bystander.

 

Im surprised at the report security handcuffed him to a bannister. That's pretty dangerous.

[perditax]

Someone remind me, is the Sky the same ship where someone recently reported a group of people who had a big portable speaker with them that they refused to turn off, and everyone was too afraid to ask them too? Someone must know the thread I'm talking about, I'm pretty sure it was NCL.

[mugtech]

Someone remind me, is the Sky the same ship where someone recently reported a group of people who had a big portable speaker with them that they refused to turn off, and everyone was too afraid to ask them too? Someone must know the thread I'm talking about, I'm pretty sure it was NCL.

YES, many thought it was sex sales related also. These stories, not happening very often, are the main reason I never take a cruise shorter than 7 days. One would think UDP on short cruises could result in more of these incidents.

[Moby0215]

Someone remind me, is the Sky the same ship where someone recently reported a group of people who had a big portable speaker with them that they refused to turn off, and everyone was too afraid to ask them too? Someone must know the thread I'm talking about, I'm pretty sure it was NCL.

 

 

I'm not sure if there was a thread about that on an NCL ship. But the most recent thread that I remember, the OP was talking about a Carnival ship.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[$hip$hape]

No substitution for experience.

Seen lots of security go through formal training and then not have a clue what to do in a real situation.

I worked for a large casino (briefly) and there was lots of security as you can imagine. In the time I was there I only observed one all out fist fight and I was the only one to react, running from a different area of the casino to intervene. The other security were frozen.

 

I came from working in nightclubs where your instincts and reflexes can be the difference between life and death. I've intervened many times as a "civilian" bystander.

 

Im surprised at the report security handcuffed him to a bannister. That's pretty dangerous.

It took NCL Security two days just to fix our cabin safe (needed a battery).

I'm just happy most pax are "normal".:)

[MrsPhoenix91]

Someone remind me, is the Sky the same ship where someone recently reported a group of people who had a big portable speaker with them that they refused to turn off, and everyone was too afraid to ask them too? Someone must know the thread I'm talking about, I'm pretty sure it was NCL.

 

perditax, this is the thread you are referring to...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2281155&highlight=sky

[janpo]

I'm not sure if there was a thread about that on an NCL ship. But the most recent thread that I remember, the OP was talking about a Carnival ship.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

 

There was one here last week about thr Sky ..where ladies of the evening were looking for dates with their ummm boss. It was the Sky.

[perditax]

perditax, this is the thread you are referring to...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2281155&highlight=sky

 

Thank you. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how to diplomatically reference the 'ladies of the night' situation. :)

 

EDIT: And isn't this the same ship that will include alcohol in the cruise base fare starting in 2016?

 

Answering my own question:

 

http://www.islands.com/norwegian-sky-goes-all-inclusive-unlimited-alcohol-2016

 

Needless to say, I am WAY too boring for this ship.

Edited December 1, 2015 by perditax

[Cruizen Susan]

Just back from a quick getaway on the Sky. I've cruised NCL before but have done most of my cruises on Carnival and RCL. A group of 11 decided to do a last minute family break on the Sky.

 

Our welcome aboard was that on Friday night after dinner, we set up shop at the Atrium Bar to enjoy some of the live music. At about 10 PM things got interesting when a fist fight broke out near the elevators. A security guard was pushed into a table set up with jewelry and a huge spotlight came crashing to the ground. It was complete chaos. The passenger was handcuffed to the railing but another man was trying to pull him away from ship security and a woman was yelling loudly for them to get off of the man. Other passengers quickly gathered and were adding their two cents in. One man was taping the incident and then ship's security was more concerned about getting him to delete the video/photos than containing the incident. When security tried to move the man from the banister, he started fighting them again and ripped a security guard's shirt. It definitely showed the NCL's security is ill prepared if a real incident takes place on board because the unruly passenger wasn't particularly tall or large and he kept the whole thing going for quite a while. Other ship employees were just standing there doing nothing. Seemed like in a crisis situation they should have been trying to clear the area, calling for someone, or doing something more than just standing around in shock. They finally handcuffed the man and lead him right past where our group was huddled against the window trying to stay away from the fight. A large group followed along after the man. I have cruised over a dozen times, including cruises during Spring Break and I have NEVER seen an episode like this on a cruise. NCL's security has a big problem and I certainly didn't feel particularly safe in the situation and the unlimted booze flowing around thanks to the comped UBP certainly didn't help matters as other men tried to get involved in the mix with the help of some liquid courage.

 

NCL needs to have security on board who can handle an emergency situation even if it only happens once in a while. With drinks flowing and the UBP being a comp for many cruisers they should be better prepared to handle unruly passengers especially when things break out in a highly traveled common area filled with families and guests of all ages. We had two very frightened children that we had to keep swearing to them that we'd never seen behavior like this on a cruise and we're veteran cruisers.

 

I'm not sure what started the event but it certainly did draw a crowd since it was in the atrium. The crew members were saying he was likely going to be put off the ship in Nassau the next morning. Not sure what happened to the one or two men who tried to insert themselves into the mix and to the guy who was video taping/taking pictures that security became more concerned with. Needless to say it was a rocky way to start a cruise!

 

I am not surprised, unfortunately, to hear this. We just returned from the Gem sailing from NY. While this can happen anywhere, I saw close to a handful of altercations on the Gem, probably also no thanks to the UBP. I saw a Maitre D' very nervous handling a motley crew of drunks waiting to get into Cagney's. Have never witnessed anything like this on Celebrity. Not to say it has never happened.... but the demographics are different.

[LrgPizza]

First of all, why do I always miss all the good stuff? This sounds exciting!

 

Secondly, I immediately blame the passengers involved prior to putting any blame on NCL. Let's start with them, right? After that, we can blame security; however, I wouldn't expect anything different. One can be trained to the max, but until that training is put into practice, it's hard to react in a real life, unpredictable situation. I'm sure if NCL had these types of incidents regularly on each cruise, the staff would better know how to react. Thankfully, that isn't the case.

[fin]

I am still shaking my head over the idea that giving free booze on a cheap cruise is a good idea. Their markup on booze is one of their biggest money makers, and quick turnaround cruises to mediocre destinations at very low prices is going to already attract (and note it already has, ref the loudspeaker issue which WAS the same ship) the kind of people who will happily drink way too much if it is free.

 

Just for reference, we did recently sail that ship on a three nighter.

[Va. Plumber]

Alcohol and stupidity are a dangerous mix!

[ulster-cruiser]

I have confidence in the cruise ship security. A lot of the security are former members of the Gurkha Regiment who served our country. They should be given the respect they deserve.

[LoveyHowell]

How long until they yank the everyone gets UBP promo for 2016?

[TheDougOut]

How long until they yank the everyone gets UBP promo for 2016?

 

How long until we see the introduction of an Ultimate Cannabis Package? I predict it'll come just prior to the one dollar cookie surcharge.

[Virginiacruiser126]

The sad part is a few people ruin it for everyone. Most of my group had the package and enjoyed it responsibly. I'm not saying the blame is only on security because clearly the passenger was in the wrong and I have no idea if he was drinking or not. Seems like on the short, weekend cruises you'd especially want your staff to be able to respond efficiently when these situations arise.

[MrMan]

The sad part is a few people ruin it for everyone. Most of my group had the package and enjoyed it responsibly. I'm not saying the blame is only on security because clearly the passenger was in the wrong and I have no idea if he was drinking or not. Seems like on the short, weekend cruises you'd especially want your staff to be able to respond efficiently when these situations arise.

Do you know the passenger had been drinking or purchased the UDP or is this speculation?