It has been a tumultuous year for Carnival. After being forced into a mandatory hibernation during COVID, cruise-starved passengers finally were permitted to sail again.

Shortly after cruises restarted, a number of reported brawls erupted on Carnival cruise ships, including an incident aboard the Carnival Magic sailing from New York in late June, as well as a second altercation aboard the Carnival Elation sailing from Jacksonville in early July. Videos and photographs of both events surfaced on social media spawning a number of negative comments about both the participants and Carnival.