Colorado Cruise Passengers Fined $52,725 Over Nassau Port Fight
Police said the station struggle began as officers prepared to search the group, with one woman throwing a chair through a glass door and one man kicking out the remaining glass.
Six American cruise passengers from Colorado have been ordered to pay $52,725 in fines and compensation in Nassau after a June 8 fight that began at Nassau Cruise Port and continued at the Tourism Police Station. Bahamian police first announced five arrests after the incident; The Tribune later identified six defendants who pleaded guilty to charges tied to the port fight, property damage and injuries to police officers.
The ship and cruise line connected to the group have not been identified. Six cruise ships from Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line and Princess Cruises were in Nassau that day.
Police-station struggle drew the most serious injuries
Bahamian police said officers responded shortly after 4:45 p.m. to a fight involving cruise passengers in the port area. The group was taken to the Tourism Police Station, where police said a “violent struggle” began as officers prepared to search the suspects.
Police said one woman threw a chair through a glass door and one man kicked out the remaining glass before trying to escape. Four officers were injured. One suffered a serious left shoulder injury and was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Other injuries included officers being struck and one officer suffering a mouth laceration. The passengers also received medical attention for minor injuries.
The charges included assaulting a police officer, fighting in a public place, resisting arrest, malicious damage and disorderly behavior in a police station. A later account of the court proceedings also listed charges including disorderly conduct, obscene language, causing dangerous harm, causing damage and obstruction.
Court penalties totaled $52,725
The Tribune identified the defendants as Jaeyln Duran, 19; Andrew Tapia, 21; Daniella Duran, 22; Irvin Castro, 26; Gabriella Aguilar, 27; and Jose Duran, 50. The defendants told the court they were intoxicated during the incident.
The fines totaled $47,350, with another $5,375 ordered as compensation to injured officers. Daniella Duran received the largest financial penalty, a $16,600 fine plus $2,625 in compensation. Gabriella Aguilar and Jaeyln Duran were each fined $11,600 and ordered to pay $125 in compensation. Irvin Castro was fined $2,800 and ordered to pay $2,500 in compensation, Andrew Tapia was fined $4,600, and Jose Duran was fined $150.
The court penalties carried jail alternatives if the defendants do not pay, with some facing terms of up to one year in prison.
Ship affiliation remains unidentified
No official account has identified whether the passengers were sailing on one vessel or multiple vessels, or what triggered the original fight in the cruise port area. The six ships in Nassau on June 8 were Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy and Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess.
The call came on a full berth day at Nassau Cruise Port, which has six cruise berths.
