A 44-year-old Australian passenger was removed from Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas after an alleged onboard assault on Nov. 13. New Zealand police met the ship at Port Chalmers, questioned those involved, and escorted the alleged offender off the vessel. The other passenger was treated on board for a cut to his nose, and the removed passenger arranged his own return to Australia while his family continued the 10-day cruise.
44-Year-Old Australian Removed from Royal Caribbean Cruise After Alleged Onboard Assault — Family Continued Voyage
A 44-year-old Australian passenger was removed from Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas after an alleged onboard assault on Nov. 13. New Zealand police met the ship at Port Chalmers, questioned those involved, and escorted the alleged offender off the vessel. The other passenger was treated on board for a cut to his nose, and the removed passenger arranged his own return to Australia while his family continued the 10-day cruise.
03:50 AM, 11/19/2025Society
Passenger Removed from Ship After Alleged Altercation; Family Stayed Onboard
A 44-year-old Australian passenger was escorted off Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas following an alleged physical altercation with another traveler on Nov. 13, authorities say. New Zealand police boarded the ship after it docked at Port Chalmers in Dunedin and spoke with those involved.
A police spokesperson said officers were alerted to the incident around 9:30 p.m. and, after questioning the parties, the alleged offender was given a warning and escorted off the vessel. The other passenger reportedly received medical attention on board for a cut to his nose.
After being removed from the cruise, the Australian passenger arranged his own return trip to Australia. His family reportedly remained on the 10-day voyage and continued the itinerary, which departed Sydney on Nov. 10 and called at several New Zealand ports before returning on Nov. 20.
Ship policy and next steps: Royal Caribbean's passenger conduct guidelines prohibit inappropriate or abusive behavior, including uninvited physical contact, and say such conduct can lead to removal from a ship. Authorities handled the matter on arrival; requests for comment regarding the incident were not immediately answered.
Key facts: escorted off at Port Chalmers (Dunedin) on Nov. 13, other passenger treated for a nasal cut, removed passenger returned to Australia independently while family stayed aboard.