Teen Arrested After Violent Incident on Liberty of the Seas

A cruise on Liberty of the Seas is meant to be all about water slides, poolside cocktails, and endless buffets — not police reports and punch-ups. But for one Royal Caribbean sailing last week, things took a disturbing turn when an elevator ride spiralled into violence.

An aerial view of the deck on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, highlighting an array of twisting water slides in vibrant orange and green. Below, passengers enjoy the ship's spacious pool area, with the ocean's expanse providing a captivating backdrop to the bustling onboard activities. — Liberty of the Seas

The 18-deck Freedom-class ship, known for its boomerang-style water slide and sweeping atrium views, became the scene of an altercation after a group of teens were reportedly jumping inside one of the lifts. When an older passenger and his wife asked them to stop, chaos unfolded.

A Scenic Lift Turns Dangerous

What began as a warning quickly escalated. As the lift doors opened on Deck 8, the passenger attempted to exit — but the teens wouldn’t move. He pushed past, only to be punched and kicked in the face. According to police, the assault left him unconscious and lying in a pool of blood.

Arrest and Charges

When the ship returned to Port Everglades, 18-year-old Michael White from North Carolina was arrested. He now faces a charge of aggravated battery. A judge released him on a $5,000 bond and ordered him to have no contact with the victim. While a co-defendant was listed in the police report, their name has not yet appeared in court records.

Official Report Details

The Broward Sheriff’s Office provided a detailed account of the incident, stating:

“The victim was struck in the face, staggered, then fell to the floor where he was kicked repeatedly. He blacked out and awoke in a pool of blood.”

It’s a sobering reminder that while cruises are meant to be relaxing and enjoyable, things can go terribly wrong when basic respect and safety are ignored.