Cruise Ship Sails into Storm

A cruise ship sailed right into hurricane force winds and waves on Sunday, injuring four passengers. The 4,000 passenger cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, was on its way from NYC to Port Canaveral, Florida when it encountered the storm.

Although the captain reported, “the strength of the storm had surprised everyone and that the ship would hold position and try to turn into it,”, the storm was not a surprise; it had been in the forecast for days!

#anthemoftheseas storm unexpected? https://t.co/7MMIVRoN4p pic.twitter.com/FTFUVp74vf

— Stu Ostro (@StuOstro) February 8, 2016

Despite official (@NOAA) weather warnings in the area, the storm was still ‘unexpected’ to #AnthemOfTheSeas. https://t.co/b9Rt8gulSU

— Jayson Prentice (@SeverePlains) February 8, 2016

4,000-passenger cruise ship inexplicably sails into Atlantic mega-storm https://t.co/jQGTGsJP49 pic.twitter.com/KsMhneMHSF

— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) February 8, 2016

The storm deepened rapidly, exhibiting 100 mph winds, which is the equivalent of a Category 2 Hurricane. Right in the middle of this storm was the Anthem of the Seas. Royal Caribbean made the decision to turn around and head back to Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on Monday. Hope you aren’t seasick!

Passenger aboard damaged cruise ship: “I was shaking all over.” https://t.co/zEAagv4fyT pic.twitter.com/5m2rR4pAYw

— AP South U.S. Region (@APSouthRegion) February 8, 2016

Update: #AnthemOfTheSeas cruise ship turns around, calls off trip after storm https://t.co/25nLrokvpK pic.twitter.com/T5bQOlpqLk

— CNN (@CNN) February 8, 2016

“Hungry, tired and seeking prayer,” said #Anthemoftheseas passenger. 4 hurt in rough seas. https://t.co/ERfgGXJzLg pic.twitter.com/y8PcQcR00f

— CNN iReport (@cnnireport) February 8, 2016

All passengers will be given a full refund for this voyage and a 50%-off certificate for any future cruise with Royal Caribbean. The one thing that wasn’t affected by the storm? The TV signal bringing in the Super Bowl.

Read more about the experience on USA Today.