THE ANTHEM OF THE SEAS WAS TOSSED FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
FLORIDA, United States, Wednesday February 10, 2016 – United States Senator Bill Nelson has called on the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the circumstances surrounding the decision to sail a cruise ship into a storm with gusts as high as 125 mph over the weekend.
Caught up in winter storm Mars, Royal Caribbean’s battled 30-foot waves for several hours on Sunday, according to passengers who posted to the Cruise Critic message boards.
The Bahamas-bound ship was tossed from side to side, scattering chairs and tables in dining rooms and lounges throughout the liner.
Posts on social media described conditions aboard the ship as “horrendous,” and weather forecasters said the storm set off a hurricane-force wind warning.
“The ship encountered the waves and strong winds associated with the rapidly strengthening area of low pressure associated with Winter Storm Mars on Sunday,” said weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce.
“Numerous gale, storm and hurricane-force wind warnings had been issued in advance of this developing storm by the National Weather Service.”
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 were reported, but none were said to be serious. While there was damage to some public areas and guest rooms, Royal Caribbean said “the sea-worthiness of the ship” was unaffected.
The ship had originally been scheduled to arrive in Port Canaveral on Monday en route to the Bahamas, but Royal Caribbean announced Monday afternoon that it would instead turn around and head back to New Jersey, from where it had departed on Saturday.
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.”
Passengers will reportedly receive a refund and discounts for a future cruise.
Anthem of the Seas, which had its maiden voyage last year, is the third largest cruise ship in the world in terms of tonnage, according to a Cruise Critic report. The ship can accommodate 4,180 passengers and 1,500 crew members in a total of 2,090 cabins.