On 7th November 2024, Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas was unexpectedly hit by a sudden squall, resulting in hurricane-force winds that caused a massive wave, resulting in the ship tilting dramatically.
The sudden tilt caused chaos onboard, as loose items were sent flying. As a result, at least one person was injured and the ship had to turn back to the Canary Islands to drop them off, before it could resume its transatlantic voyage.
Guests were asked to return to their cabins after the incident for three hours, so that a full ship count of passengers and crew could be taken.
You can see the tilt of the ship here, as guests slide along the floor:
The squall, characterised by a sudden gust of intense wind or a localised storm, struck the ship with little warning. Passengers described scenes of disarray, with items flying across dining areas and individuals sliding across corridors.
Explorer of the Seas is engineered to withstand rough conditions, featuring design elements that enhance its stability and safety. The crew’s training and preparedness for such events were crucial in managing the situation.
Several cruisers onboard the ship have posted updates to social media, unanimously praising the crew for their communication and quick action.
These guests shared their thoughts plus some photos of the damage:
It’s now anticipated that the ship will complete her transatlantic cruise on 17th November, reaching Miami three days later than originally scheduled.
Once that’s confirmed it will likely have a knock-on effect on the 10-day Caribbean cruise set for 14th November.
While it can’t be embedded, this video on Facebook shows more of the damage.
If the ship is damaged (and there are rumours of stabiliser damage) then repairs may be needed, although for now it sounds like the ship has managed to escape without significant issue.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…
Related posts
- What Happens If A Cruise Ship Is Hit By A Rogue Wave?
- 15 Best Quotes About Rough & Stormy Seas
- Surviving Storms at Sea! (Real Stories from Cruise Ship Passengers)
MSC Seashore Debuts Two New Complimentary Grab-And-Go Dining Venues
MSC Cruises has expanded the dining line-up aboard MSC Seashore with the launch of two new complimentary grab-and-go venues designed to give passengers more casual meal choices during their holiday….
P&O Cruises Introduces New Sun Lounger Covers Warning Guests Against Reserving Beds
P&O Cruises has introduced new warning covers on some of its sun loungers as the long-running battle over reserving poolside beds continues to frustrate holidaymakers. The cruise line has not…
Passenger Dies Aboard Cruise Ship During Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreak
A passenger has sadly died aboard Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition during a gastrointestinal illness outbreak that affected dozens of people during the ship’s current sailing to Bordeaux. While early media…
Cruise Passengers Face Federal Charges After Fight Over Loyalty Line
Two passengers aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Spirit are facing federal assault charges after a dispute over a priority Guest Services queue allegedly turned physical during a Bahamas cruise earlier…
