Two women accused of slapping each other during a dispute over cruise-account lines on a Carnival Spirit ship have federal citations for simple assault and are reportedly banned from all Carnival cruises.
MOBILE, Ala. — A dispute over what line to use to settle cruise accounts on a Carnival Spirit ship escalated into a public slapping fight, leaving two women facing federal citations for simple assault and, according to Carnival, a lifetime ban from sailing Carnival cruises.
Lisa Horace, 51, and Tonya Nelson, 58, appeared in federal court Wednesday after being issued the citations. Court documents say Nelson confronted Horace and Horace’s husband about standing in the wrong line to settle their Carnival cruise accounts.
In a statement to federal agents. Horace said she initially ignored Nelson. but her response changed after Nelson touched her husband’s shoulder multiple times.. The argument quickly spiraled, the documents say, and both women slapped each other in front of bystanders.. Carnival staff stepped in to break up the fight.
During Wednesday’s court appearance, U.S. Magistrate Judge Bert Milling Jr. had the women sit next to each other. Nelson told the judge, “I’m just sorry that we’re here,” according to the account in court.
Horace said the consequences have reached far beyond the federal case. Both women have been banned from all Carnival cruises and lost their Diamond member status, the reporting states.
Carnival’s website describes Diamond membership as requiring passengers to sail 200 days and earn 200 VIFP points to reach the tier. The reporting also notes that reaching Diamond status can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Nelson’s attorney, Buzz Jordan, suggested the incident may be tied to the pressures of a crowded ship. He said Horace told the court that her husband is a retired Navy veteran and that cruising together gives them peace of mind.
“Things happen sometimes on a crowded ship. You know, we’ve got big crowds involved, so that’s how I think this happened,” Jordan said.
Jordan said he is hopeful Carnival will reconsider its decision. “I’m hoping that Carnival will reinstate both of them so they can continue traveling with Carnival,” he told the court.
Horace’s attorney declined an interview when the court adjourned. As they left, Jordan said Horace’s lawyer told him only, “We’re just glad it’s over.”
Jordan added, “My client and the other lady are both great citizens and you know, I don’t expect they’ll ever have any more issues.”
A final decision on the case is scheduled for Aug. 12.
Carnival Spirit cruise dispute federal citations simple assault cruise passenger ban Diamond membership loss slapping fight court date