Articles by Colson Thayer

Technology

Bachelorette Says She Was 'Banned' from Carnival Cruise After Viral Video Showed Her Sneaking Booze on Board

A cruise passenger on her bachelorette trip says she was “banned” from Carnival Cruise Line after sneaking alcohol on board. On Oct. 3, TikTok user @madisonwest2000 posted a video that includes the clip she claims got her banned. In the video, the user — who asked to be identified without a last name — sits at a dining table with a drink in front of her. Madison pulls out a tampon wrapper before revealing a vial inside. She then uncapped the plastic container and adds what appears to be clear liquor to her drink. “I’m sorry Carnival, please forgive me. I didn’t mean it,” the creator says in the voiceover. “I was trying to have fun on my bachelorette trip.” Madison claims the first video went viral and viewers tagged Carnival in the comments, which caught the attention of the company. A second clip appears to show the consequences of her actions. Three uniformed Carnival employees entered the passenger’s stateroom and one began to search her mini fridge. Inside, there were more tampon wrappers and what looked like a blue lotion bottle. “Me and my husband actually met on a Carnival Cruise, so Carnival kinda means a lot to us. So it kinda sucks that I got banned,” she says in the voiceover. “I take it all back, just let me back on, please.” A day later, Madison posted the video with the security members in full. The creator sat on her bed while one of the crew members told her the behavior was “unacceptable” and it was impossible for crews to check every single feminine product that comes aboard. They also confronted her about posting to social media and directed the person recording the interaction to turn off their phone. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. “[The Carnival crew member] made me change my written statement from ‘brought’ to ‘smuggled,’’’ Maddie wrote in the caption. “Again this was on me and I accept my punishment. They were so weird about me recording, I’m pretty sure that’s my right, but I didn’t want to make it worse.” According to Carnival’s liquor and beverage policy, all liquor, beer and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are “strictly prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage.” However, an exception is made for sealed wine or champagne bottles on departure day only. “We’re sorry this guest chose to break the rules, but we all learned at a young age that actions have consequences,” a Carnival spokesperson shared in a statement with PEOPLE. While speaking to PEOPLE, Madison admitted this was something she "probably shouldn't have done," and felt the ban was an appropriate consequence. She explained she did it because she didn't want to spend "a million dollars on the alcohol package." "I won't be doing that again," Madison explains, adding, "That it's advised that if you're going to do something you're not supposed to do, not to post it."