Watch: Inside Footage Of A Cruise Ship Hit By Hurricane-force Winds, Passengers Injured

The Explorers of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, was hit by a sudden near hurricane-force winds on November 7, 2024. The vessel rolled heavily, with many passengers and crew members sustaining injuries.

The incident occurred about 750 nautical miles off the coast of Morocco when the ship was transiting the Atlantic from Tenerife, Spain, to Florida.

According to reports, the squall struck around 7:00 p.m., with wind speeds reaching from 55 to 75 mph.

Passengers described the experience as frightening, with loose items like plates, glassware, and gift shop merchandise scattered throughout the ship.

Some guests posted videos and photographs showing the aftermath of the incident, where fallen bottles and damaged tableware can be seen on the floor.

Video Credits: Charles Leeds/YouTube

In response, the captain immediately executed safety measures, asking all passengers to return to their respective cabins. Crew members kept track of everyone on board and assessed injuries.

While most injuries were minor, one passenger required additional medical care, which led the ship to return to Las Palmas, Spain, for medical disembarkation.

The Explorer of the Seas, which has a capacity of 4,290 passengers and 1,185 crew, has already changed its route due to bad weather, stopping in Tenerife rather than other intended destinations.

The storm delay means the ship will now arrive in Miami on November 17, three days later than planned.

Passengers praised the crew and Captain Frank for their quick actions and support throughout the incident. The crew reportedly spent the night cleaning up the damage and checking on guests.

References: Cruise Hive, The Street