Two social media livestreamers were removed from Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas after an altercation during a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise. The incident occurred early in the sailing, which departed Galveston, Texas, on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Witnesses reported repeated poor behavior from the individuals.
Key Takeaways
- Two livestreamers were removed from Harmony of the Seas after a fight.
- The incident violated Royal Caribbean's Guest Conduct Policy.
- Other guests reported ongoing disruptive behavior from streamers.
- The ship's itinerary remained unaffected by the removal.
- The incident sparks debate over livestreaming on cruise ships.
Onboard Altercation Leads to Removal
The two individuals, identified as David Ryan and Dave Willis, became involved in a physical altercation. The fight reportedly stemmed from an argument over another streamer. Witnesses observed punches being thrown, equipment being tossed, and the men wrestling to the floor.
Guests who saw the incident stated that Ryan and Willis had been consuming alcohol throughout the evening. Both men were actively livestreaming their interactions, which were described as uncivil. Security personnel intervened during the fight.
Incident Details
- Ship: Harmony of the Seas
- Departure Date: November 2, 2025
- Departure Port: Galveston, Texas
- Itinerary: 7-night Western Caribbean
- Removal Location: Roatan, Honduras, on November 5
Violations of Guest Conduct Policy
Royal Caribbean's Guest Conduct Policy prohibits several types of behavior. This includes verbally abusive or offensive language, as well as any abusive, discourteous, or disruptive actions. The policy is designed to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all passengers.
Security had reportedly intervened with these individuals multiple times before the main altercation. The men were ultimately removed from the vessel when it reached Roatan, Honduras, on November 5. They were expected to arrange their own travel home from that point.
"Any 'verbally abusive or offensive language' is prohibited, as is any abusive, discourteous, or disruptive behavior," states Royal Caribbean's Guest Conduct Policy.
Previous Disruptive Behavior
Other passengers reported additional instances of poor behavior from these and other streamers earlier in the cruise. One report described streamers knocking on decorated stateroom doors and asking occupants if they were swingers, all while filming. Another incident involved a streamer blocking views and deliberately provoking guests during a game show in the Studio B arena on Deck 4, also while filming.
Cruise Line Policies
Cruise lines have strict guest conduct policies to maintain order and safety. Violations can lead to various consequences. These include intervention by security, removal of onboard privileges (such as being confined to a stateroom), being removed from the vessel at the next port, and even a complete ban from future cruises across the Royal Caribbean Group fleet.
The Broader Debate: Streaming on Cruise Ships
The presence of livestreamers and social media influencers on cruise ships has become a growing point of contention among passengers. Many guests express frustration over activities such as streamers blocking views, filming other passengers without consent, and deliberately pushing boundaries to generate online content.
This type of activity is often referred to as "nuisance streaming." It involves individuals intentionally creating disruptions or seeking reactions from those around them, which they then post online. This behavior often prioritizes online engagement over the comfort and privacy of fellow travelers.
- Passenger Concerns:
- Blocking views during events.
- Filming guests without permission.
- Deliberately provoking others for content.
- Disrupting the peaceful cruise environment.
Calls for Stricter Regulations
There is a growing sentiment among cruise guests for cruise lines to implement stricter rules regarding streaming. One guest, commenting on a social media discussion, suggested that Royal Caribbean should "just ban these streamers from streaming on the ship." This comment garnered more than 100 upvotes, indicating significant support for such a measure.
However, a complete ban on recording videos could be challenging to enforce. Many passengers enjoy capturing their vacation memories to share with family and friends. The challenge lies in distinguishing between personal memory capture and disruptive, intrusive livestreaming.
Ship's Itinerary Unaffected
Despite the incident, the Harmony of the Seas continued its scheduled itinerary without disruption. After leaving Roatan, the ship was set to visit Costa Maya on Thursday, November 6, and Cozumel on Friday, November 7. It will then have another day at sea before returning to Galveston on Sunday, November 9.
Royal Caribbean has not yet confirmed if the removed individuals will face a ban from future cruises within the Royal Caribbean Group. The incident highlights the ongoing discussion within the cruise industry about how to manage social media activities onboard while ensuring a positive experience for all guests.
