NORFOLK, Va. — A passenger on a cruise ship sailing out of Norfolk was assaulted onboard Friday night while on the return leg of a cruise.
According to a spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Lines, this happened onboard Carnival Magic in the ship's theater. One guest reportedly attacked another guest with a bar glass. The spokesperson didn't specify if the glass was broken.
The spokesperson said the victim was treated by the ship's medical team. The severity of the victim's injuries was not disclosed and we don't know their condition.
The assailant was confined to their room for the remainder of the cruise and has been permanently banned from sailing on Carnival in the future, according to the spokesperson.
The spokesperson said: "Carnival security and medical officials fully cooperated with law enforcement should the guest decide to press charges. We have zero tolerance for this kind of behavior."
The FBI and local law enforcement were contacted and came on board the ship when it arrived in Norfolk on Sunday morning to conduct an investigation. A spokesperson for the FBI said the agency "typically has jurisdiction to investigate incidents on the high seas" and that FBI Norfolk is handling this investigation.
A Hampton woman on board at the time tells 13News Now she heard the incident happen.
"There were hundreds of people in the theater when it happened so everyone was pretty much worried," said Victoria Evans. "The performers were up on stage and all of a sudden everyone heard... I mean, it was a blood-curdling scream, there were several of them.”
Evans said the lights flashed on, and the cruise director ushered everyone out.
"You could hear people screaming asking for security, asking for medical," Evans said.
There's no word at this time on if the assailant is in custody or is currently facing any charges.
Carnival Magic was on an eight-day cruise to Canada and New England. It departed Sunday night on its last cruise of the 2023 season - a five-day cruise to the Caribbean.
There will be no cruises out of Norfolk in 2024 as the Half Moone Cruise Terminal is closing for renovations. The Carnival Sunshine begins cruising out of Norfolk in Spring 2025.