A North Carolina man faces a felony charge after a violent attack left another passenger unconscious, according to court records. The incident happened during a four-night Bahamas voyage on Liberty of the Seas, which departed Port Everglades on Monday, April 14. Upon the ship’s return to Florida on Friday, authorities arrested the suspect at the port.
According to a report from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office the alleged attack began when a male passenger and a woman confronted a group of youths who were “jumping up and down” inside an elevator, causing it to sway.
The situation quickly escalated. “The group started yelling and saying, ‘B----, who are you talking to?’” according to BSO Deputy Demetrius Williams, who documented the victim’s account.
When the elevator stopped on the eighth floor, the victim and the woman attempted to exit but were blocked. “The kids did not move when the door opened, so he pushed through the crowd,” the report says.
Once outside the elevator, the victim told deputies he was punched in the face by several individuals, causing him to stagger backward and fall. While on the floor, he said he was repeatedly kicked and eventually blacked out. When he regained consciousness, he was lying in a pool of blood.
Arrests and Charges
Michael White, age 18, identified as one of the alleged attackers, was arrested upon the ship’s return to Port Everglades. He faces a charge of aggravated battery causing bodily harm.
An additional suspect, whose identity has not been released, was also taken into custody.
White was booked into Broward County Jail and later released on Saturday after posting a $5,000 bond, according to jail records.
Royal Caribbean, like most major cruise lines, has a strict guest conduct policy. Any behavior that threatens the safety or well-being of others, including brawls, verbal threats, or harassment can lead to detention onboard, removal from the ship at the next port of call, or referral to law enforcement. Security personnel typically respond immediately to physical altercations and work in conjunction with authorities once the ship is docked.
