Passenger 'dressed as clown' sparks brawl on P&O cruise ship Six people, including three men and three women, were assaulted and injuries included significant bruising and cuts.

Image: Police greeted the cruise when it arrived in Southampton

A passenger dressed as a clown has sparked a mass brawl on a P&O cruise ship, according to reports.

Families fled as a group of passengers allegedly used furniture and plates as weapons on board the ship, which had left Bergen in Norway 12 hours earlier.

Those suspected of being involved in the violence yesterday were reportedly confined to their cabins on the last day of the cruise.

They were greeted by Hampshire police when the ship docked in Southampton this morning.

Two people, a 43-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, both from Chigwell, Essex, have been arrested on suspicion of assault and are currently in police custody.


Six people, three men and three women, were allegedly assaulted and injuries included significant bruising and cuts.

A passenger on the cruise said he heard the trouble started when another passenger appeared dressed as a clown.

He said: "This upset one of their party because they'd specifically booked a cruise with no fancy dress. It led to a violent confrontation."

Another passenger said: "I was in my room when the security tannoy happened at 2am.

"I saw two people being escorted out by police - police holding their belongings - limping.

"Just to clarify, the majority of those on board were perfectly civilised and nice individuals. It was just ruined by a few drunk idiots."

A P&O Cruises spokesman said: "Following an incident on board Britannia on Thursday evening we can confirm that all guests have now disembarked and the matter is now in the hands of the local police."

Hampshire police said: "Officers are investigating following reports of a public order incident on-board P&Os Britannia."



Investigations are ongoing.



:: If anyone has any information, including phone footage of the incident, they should call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting 44190262605.

