Comedian Josh Blue said in a TikTok video that he was woken up by security at 1:00 a.m. during a Royal Caribbean cruise after a group of teenagers allegedly accused him of trying to abduct them. Blue, who has cerebral palsy, said the incident occurred on the second night of the cruise he took over the summer.
Blue described the encounter, stating that security personnel came to his room because teenagers had reported to their parents that he attempted to kidnap them. He explained that the actual incident involved him walking up the stairs with two bottles of water while his girlfriend followed behind him.
He claimed the teenagers reacted to his movement, which he said is affected by his disability. According to Blue, one of the teens yelled, “Run!” and others started screaming, “He’s coming! He’s coming! He’s coming after us!” The video shows Blue speaking directly to the camera, with on-screen text reading, “Beware of Royal Caribbean,” and, “I was treated like a criminal because of my disability, and even after they learned the truth they were rude to me.”
Blue says security initially threatened to revoke his alcohol privileges before learning of his disability
Blue recounted in the video that the security guards initially told him they were going to revoke his alcohol privileges because they thought he was drunk. He said he explained that he was disabled and that the way he walks is due to his condition. His girlfriend also clarified that he has cerebral palsy.
According to Blue, after this explanation, the security personnel responded, “Oh, we understand you have a condition. Okay, now you can go back to sleep.” He expressed frustration at this response, stating it was impossible to fall back asleep after being accused of kidnapping children while on vacation.
Blue questioned why he was woken up at all, suggesting that security footage likely showed he did nothing wrong. He said the guards told him, “No further action is needed. We explained to you what happened. Please go back to your room and go to bed.” He noted there was no apology offered.
He later returned to the security desk, where a different guard reiterated that the situation had been resolved and no further action was needed. Blue pointed out that the guard again referred to his disability as a “condition,” a term he said is not appropriate.
The comedian states he is sharing his story to bring awareness to the treatment of disabled individuals
Blue concluded his video by stating he was bringing the issue to a public platform because he is fortunate to have a voice. He said he wanted to bring awareness to how disabled people are treated in daily life, not just on cruises.
He announced, “I will not be going on Royal Caribbean again.” The video ends with Blue encouraging viewers to “stand up for the disabled community.”
The video’s caption reads, “@royal Caribbean saw my disability and treated me like a threat. I am speaking out because many disabled people have no platform, no protection, and no one willing to listen. If this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. Watch. Share. Demand better. #RoyalCaribbean #DisabilityRights #StandWithJoshBlue” Blue’s experience of feeling threatened by staff after a misunderstanding is not unique, as a Calabasas hotel guest recorded staff dismissing her complaint about being surrounded by ants.
The video has generated a number of comments from viewers. One comment stated, “This is infuriating to hear. You should lawyer up and get the ADA involved. Brother, I am with you.” Another read, “Security should’ve located the parents and the kids and made them apologize and revoked their privileges. That could’ve ended up so much worse. Sorry that happened to you.”
A third commenter wrote, “some people are insensitive. I’ve been a fan of you since you were on the America’s got talent.” Another user shared a personal story, saying, “I can see the pain in your eyes and that really makes me sad. My wife and I got to see you in Tampa at side splitters a while back and you gave us a few moments of laughter after losing our daughter Shelby. Please don’t let them get you down brother. Hugs and keep spreading the word to educate the people!!!”
Additional comments included, “sue the s–t out of them,” and, “We are all here for you Josh.”
