A Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the Anthem of the Seas, reportedly got stuck in a winter storm as it was heading to the Bahamas from New Jersey.
The Anthem of the Seas cruise ship saw waves that were as tall as 30 feet and endured Category 2 hurricane-force winds, according to local broadcaster MyNews13. Video footage posted to social media captured the terror of passengers on board the cruise.
3:10 PM Eastern time, the calm before the Hurricane.#anthemoftheseas #royalcarribean pic.twitter.com/YI7qXxTv4k
— Jacob Ibrag (@jaybrag) February 8, 2016
just a little bit of the damage so far. boat is still rocking. #anthemoftheseas #overthis #150mphwinds #rocktheboat pic.twitter.com/veRMtGzBbE
— Leanna Nicole (@LeannaPetrone) February 8, 2016
The ship is Royal Caribbean’s newest, leaving from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on Saturday. It was to make a stop in Port Canaveral before going to the Bahamas and back to New Jersey on Saturday.
According to USA Today, the 168,666-ton ship was damaged in the storm. Furniture was overturned and part of a ceiling was collapsed.
RT IrishEagle: Footage from #AnthemOfTheSeas caught near the middle of today’s massive coastal storm… pic.twitter.com/6BUfTzyhF5
— Now Media News (@NowMediaScott) February 8, 2016
On social media, photos showed damage done to a few areas on board. And passenger Leanna Petrone tweeted a video of herself saying, “We’re trapped in our rooms. We can’t leave,” CBS News reported.
Passenger Jacob Ibrag also tweeted about his fears on board the cruise.
“Hungry, tired and seeking prayer from all of you tonight. The #anthemoftheseas has been rocking with no end in sight,” he said. “Don’t think I’ve ever missed land this much. In other news, wish I took those swimming lessons…
Things are a little out of place #anthemoftheseas pic.twitter.com/Z3B4wfu0P8
— Greg (@flatgreg) February 8, 2016
Deck 14 needs some work… #anthemoftheaeas pic.twitter.com/oBn5Q862qs
— Greg (@flatgreg) February 8, 2016
“Mother nature decided to take us all for a ride. Just wonder if this storm system could’ve been avoided.”
Royal Caribbean issued a statement on the matter Monday morning, saying there were no serious injuries.
“On Sunday, February 7, while sailing to Port Canaveral, Florida, Anthem of the Seas experienced extreme wind and sea conditions, with wind speeds higher than what was forecasted. In an abundance of caution, the Captain asked all guests to stay in their stateroom until the weather improved. At this time there have not been any serious injuries reported. The ship has sustained some damage to the public areas and guest staterooms, which in no way affect the sea-worthiness of the ship,” the company said.
Orlando TV station WESH- 2 reported that the vessel is slated to arrive in Port Canaveral later on Monday.
