Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas
skips a stop at Port Canaveral after hitting heavy seas off the coast of North Carolina.
Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas turned around Monday after hitting hurricane-force winds on its way to Florida.
The ship was expected to arrive Monday in Port Canaveral, but Royal Caribbean announced Monday afternoon that it would instead turn around and head back to New Jersey, where it departed Saturday.
Passengers posted social-media photos and videos of toppled tables and broken vases after nearly 12 hours of rough sailing.
The ship left Saturday from Cape Liberty, N.J., and ran into the wild winter storm off the coast of North Carolina on Sunday. The National Weather Service reported hurricane-force winds of more than 100 mph and significant waves of at least 30 feet.
Royal Caribbean said in a statement that the ship 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,” the statement said.
Four injuries have been reported, but none are serious. Through there was damage to some public areas and guest rooms, Royal Caribbean said it hasn’t affected “the sea-worthiness of the ship.”
Posts on social media described the ride as “horrendous.” Forecasters said the storm was at least 100 miles off the coast of North Carolina and set off a hurricaneforce wind warning.
Shortly after noon, Royal Caribbean announced that the Anthem of the Seas would be turning around “for guests’ comfort due to weather forecasts.”
The forecast would have impacted the ship’s original itinerary, the company said on Twitter, and “we’re also sensitive to what guests have already been through.” Guests will get a refund and discounts for a future cruise.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, on Monday called on the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the circumstances surrounding the cruise ship’s decision to sail into the storm, the Associated Press said.