NEW JERSEY — In a scene straight out of a ‘Perfect Storm’, new footage of a cruise ship battling eight-metre high waves has emerged this week, proving that the high seas can be one rough place to be.
Stephen Burke, a passenger onboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas ship, was sailing from New Jersey to Florida and the Bahamas in February 2016 when the ocean liner encountered hurricane-force winds and waves as high as eight metres.
He captured terrifying footage from one of the ship’s windows of waves pummeling the side of the ship, none of which seemingly fazed him in the least. “We’re not even moving. We’re just staying in one place, trying not to die,” Burke jokes.
The video also showed a friend of Burke’s struggling to stay upright while walking down a hallway.
According to Huffington Post, the ship – which was carrying 4,500 passengers at the time – sailed toward the storm despite a warning from the U.S. National Weather Service Prediction Center. The captain eventually turned back towards safety.
Photos on Instagram showed incredible damage to the ship, including fallen ceiling panels and broken fixtures. Passengers were given a full refund on the trip as well as a 50% discount towards an upcoming voyage.
Deck 14 needs some work… #anthemoftheaeas pic.twitter.com/oBn5Q862qs
— Greg (@flatgreg) February 8, 2016
…and some more. #anthemoftheseas #overthis #rocktheboat pic.twitter.com/pvBjYa6CrM
— Leanna Nicole (@LeannaPetrone) February 8, 2016
