Aussie left with horrific facial injuries after cruise brawl
What was supposed to be the cruise of a lifetime, has quickly turned into the holiday from hell for a Sydney man, who has been left stranded on Vanuatu after an alcohol-fuelled brawl on his cruise of the South Pacific left him with horrific facial injuries.
Nine News reports Anthony Titow was travelling with his brother David and their family on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, which left Sydney on February 25.
The incident reportedly started when a man approached 42-year-old David and made sexually inappropriate comments about his wife. David claims the same man approached Anthony two days late in the ship’s nightclub.
“He pulled up a chair and told my brother he had a knife and was going to kill him,” David told 9news.com.au.
“He continued to threaten my brother and then the fight broke out.”
9news.com.au reports the man had Anthony on the ground, and according to David, “kicked him in the face and kept kicking and punching him”.
But that’s where matters get complicated. David admits in the 9news.com.au report that Anthony did throw the first punch between the pair, but claims it was only after they were threatened.
“Of course it takes two people to fight but we are rational,” he says.
“My brother at this stage had blood all over him,” David said.
“He’s was in a lot of pain as you can imagine.
“They would not get us ice for his swelling, they told us they would not administer any medicine.
“He’s got a broken nose, a fractured jaw and bruising all over his face. My brother can’t speak because of what happened to his jaw.”
The brothers were sent to detention on the ship and booted off when it arrived in the next port, Vanuatu. They hope to return to Sydney this weekend.
“It’s been a trip from hell,” David said.
Royal Caribbean responded to the incident in a statement to news.com.au.
“During Voyager of the Seas’ 14-night South Pacific cruise, which departed Sydney on 25 February 2018, an altercation was reported between two guests,” the statement said.
“Our security staff investigated the incident and medical treatment was provided to the guests.
“Pursuant to our Guest Conduct Policy, the decision was made to disembark the guests to ensure the safety, security and an enjoyable cruising experience for our guests. The guests were disembarked at the next port of call.
“At Royal Caribbean, the safety and security of our guests and crew is our highest priority. We have a zero tolerance policy to any form of violence or crime onboard our ships.”
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