"During Brilliance of the Seas’s approach to Alexandria, the ship experienced extreme wind and sea conditions, including heavy seas and 70 knot winds," Royal Caribbean said in a statement. "The combination of the wind and sea conditions resulted in severe ship movement."
Passengers were thrown back and forth, as the cruise ship lost its balance on fierce waves. "Some guests sustained minor injuries and have received medical treatment onboard," Royal Caribbean stated. The worst cases were of two passengers who had sustained fractures.
"It was a little scary … because the boat was rocking down and rocking back up, but you never knew how deep it was going to go," Justine Lovelace of North Branford, Conn., who was on a honeymoon, told WTNH-TV.
The ship was going to stop in Alexandria, Egypt, after commencing a 12-night itinerary in Barcelona, Spain. Due to the incident, the ship was unable to reach this destination and is proceeding to Valetta, Malta, instead. Repairs are already under way, and the ship will not require being dry-docked. Barcelona remains the final port of call on this trip.
Brilliance of the Seas is a luxury cruise liner with a wide range of facilities such as casinos, fitness centers, pools, a youth center, a spa, and even a rock-climbing wall. The beauty salon, disco, and video arcade will remain closed for the duration of the current itinerary. Royal Caribbean is fully refunding passengers their fares and providing them with an onboard credit as compensation for the ordeal.
Weekend storms were reported in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. BBC Weather reported that three people died in a factory in Alexandria, Egypt, the destination of Brilliance of the Seas, when the building's roof collapsed due to heavy rains.
Royal Caribbean operates 20 cruise ships, with two more under construction, according to company information.
