A "mass brawl" which broke out on a cruise ship leading to two arrests was not caused by a clown, P&O Cruises has said.

Trouble broke out at a restaurant buffet on the Britannia cruise ship in the early hours of Friday as it returned to Southampton from Bergen in Norway.

It was reported that plates and furniture were used as weapons during the brawl in which six people were left with cuts and bruises.

Image: Police greeted the cruise when it arrived in Southampton

Announcements were made on the ship for staff and paramedics to deal with the incident at around 2am.

Some reports said the violence was triggered by a passenger dressed as a clown who interrupted a black-tie party in one of the ship's 13 restaurants.


A female entertainer who works on the Britannia said the clown crashed a black-tie party on the 16th-floor restaurant, which angered other passengers.

But P&O said on Sunday no clown was on board and added this was supported by ship staff. It was also confirmed by Hampshire Police, who are investigating the incident.

Police met the cruise on its arrival in Southampton where a man, 43, and a woman,41, both from Chigwell, Essex, were arrested on suspicion of assault.

They were released from custody on Sunday but remain under investigation.

Image: Police say investigations are ongoing

Hampshire Police said: "There was no clown on board or involved in this incident.

"Officers are investigating following reports of a public order incident on board P&O's Britannia.

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