A Carnival Cruise Line shore excursion was delayed during Easter weekend in 2025 after a woman without the required wristband refused repeated requests to leave a ferry in Nassau.
Video footage showed officers eventually lifting the passenger from the floor and physically carrying her off the vessel. Other passengers could be heard cheering as the ferry was finally cleared to depart.
The confrontation happened during a port call by Carnival Glory and was originally filmed by TikTok user @heyitscrystaltoo.
What Happened During the Carnival Glory Cruise
Carnival Glory was visiting Nassau, Bahamas, during a short cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida.
One of the popular excursions from Nassau takes passengers by ferry to Blue Lagoon Island, a private destination known for its beaches and marine activities, including dolphin, sea lion and stingray encounters.
Passengers booked on the excursion were required to complete the check-in process and receive a wristband before boarding. The wristband showed ferry staff that the passenger was registered for the excursion and permitted to travel to the island.
However, the woman at the center of the confrontation did not have the required wristband. That became a problem shortly before the ferry was due to depart.
The Missing Wristband Dispute
@heyitscrystaltoo We’re stuck on the boat for 1.5 HOURS because one lady snuck on without a wristband and REFUSED to get off. Carnival excursion turned hostage situation?? You can’t make this up. #CarnivalCruise #BlueLagoon #ExcursionGoneWrong #CruiseLife #VacationDrama #Storytime #TravelFails #BoatDrama #WristbandWars #CruiseProblems ♬ original sound – heyitscrystaltoo
The problem was discovered before the ferry departed for Blue Lagoon Island.
According to passengers, the ferry operator asked the woman to disembark because she couldn’t present the required wristband.
“Everybody got a wristband. She’s the only one with no wristband,” frustrated passengers could be heard saying.
The woman insisted that she had paid and claimed Carnival had records proving her purchase. It remains possible that there was a booking problem, that she did not receive a wristband after purchasing the excursion, or that another mistake occurred during the check-in process.
There is not enough confirmed information to determine which explanation was correct.
Reports also said she was travelling with a young child who appeared to have a green wristband. However, it was not clear whether that wristband was connected to the Blue Lagoon excursion or another activity.
Passenger Refuses to Leave the Ferry
Whatever caused the original disagreement, the situation escalated when the woman refused to leave the ferry.
Officers and excursion staff reportedly asked her several times to disembark and resolve the payment dispute with Carnival away from the vessel.
She continued to refuse.
Video from the incident showed her repeatedly saying, “I’m not getting off the boat.”
At another point, the woman said she wanted to be treated “like an adult who paid my money.”
Passengers became increasingly frustrated as the confrontation continued. They had already waited to board and were then left sitting on the ferry in the Bahamian heat while the dispute was addressed.
TikTok user @heyitscrystaltoo claimed the delay lasted approximately an hour and a half.
The woman also reportedly threatened legal action against Carnival if she was removed.
Read more: 19 Things That Can Get You Kicked Off a Cruise Ship in an Instant
Officers Physically Remove the Woman
After attempts to persuade the passenger to leave were unsuccessful, officers physically removed her from the ferry.
The footage showed the woman sitting on the floor as two officers lifted her and carried her toward the exit. Passengers cheered as she was taken off and the prolonged confrontation came to an end.
There is no confirmed evidence that she was arrested, charged or removed from Carnival Glory. The footage only shows her being removed from the Blue Lagoon excursion ferry.
What Carnival Said About the Incident
News10NBC contacted Carnival Cruise Line while investigating the confrontation.
A Carnival spokesperson said:
“It is important to recognize that there is more than meets the eye to every story, but given the threat of legal action, we will defer further comment.”
The cruise line did not publicly explain whether the woman had purchased the excursion, why she did not have a wristband or whether an error occurred during the ticketing process.
The woman later claimed that Carnival refunded her money. Carnival did not publicly confirm that a refund was issued.
Because of that, the final outcome of the payment dispute remains uncertain.
Could the Passenger Be Banned?
Some reports suggested that the woman could have faced a fine or even a ban from Carnival.
Carnival’s rules allow the cruise line to take action against passengers who disrupt others or refuse to follow instructions. This can include removal, fines or a ban from future cruises.
However, there is no confirmation that any of those penalties were given in this case. Carnival has not said that the woman was fined, banned or otherwise punished after the ferry incident.
What Cruise Passengers Can Learn From the Incident
This incident is a good reminder to check that you have everything you need before leaving for an excursion.
Make sure you have the correct ticket, wristband, identification and meeting details. It’s also worth checking the Carnival app or your printed ticket before heading off the ship.
Of course, mistakes can happen. A wristband may be lost, a booking may not appear correctly, or a passenger may not receive the right information.
If that happens, the best thing to do is stay calm and speak with the excursion staff or guest services.
Refusing to follow instructions will not usually solve the problem. It can also delay everyone else and take time away from an excursion they have paid for.
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