Shocking moment cruise descends into chaos as it ‘tilts 45 degrees’ in Atlantic Ocean
People were left clinging on for their balance and one person was injured after a huge Royal Caribbean cruise ship 'tilted 45 degrees' due to freak weather off of the coast of Africa.
Cruise ships are monstrous vessels, carrying thousands of people across the world on holidays of a lifetime.
Taking people to luxurious locations within days of each other, there is a reason people say you catch the 'bug' once you go on your first cruise with it becoming the holiday for you.
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But as with any holiday, things can go wrong on board, which was certainly the case for Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas this week. One of the cruise line's luxury experiences, Explorer comes fitted with a skating rink, a mini-golf course, waterslides, and a rock climbing wall.
While sailing from Europe to Florida, USA the huge ship with more than 5,000 crew and passengers was rocked with drinks flying off of tables and shops left looking like they had been ransacked by rioters.
Explorer of the Seas had been travelling from Barcelona to Miami when it was struck by an 'unexpected' gust of wind close to Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands off of the West African coast.
It was quite the gust, mind, with the ship left looking worse for wear in many areas, such as the main shopping precinct in the heart of the ship, which - given its central location - would have been hit a lot less so than the sides.
Winds jumped from 46 mph to 86 mph, a passenger on the vessel told CBS News.
In the drinking areas, bottles behind the bar ended up smashed on the floor while clothing racks were left in heaps in the shops.
Passengers were forced to grab onto things to keep their balance given how much the Royal Caribbean cruise ship tilted, with advertising boards also thrown across walkways and into people.
One passenger called Jonathan Parrish told CBS News: "I think there was about five minutes in there where everybody was wondering what was going on, but as soon as the captain came on and made the announcement of what had happened, (it) kind of gave you a sense of calmness."
Parrish said he felt a 'hard right turn' be taken by the cruise ship which was followed by a 'more intense' turn.
One person was reported as injured during the incident, with Explorer redirected to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands so that could receive medical help.
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said: "During an unexpected wind gust near Tenerife, Spain, one of our sailings experienced sudden movement.
"One of our guests was injured and requires additional medical care, so the ship will make a call in Las Palmas, Spain for a medical disembarkation.
"We are communicating these changes directly with our guests."
Explorer of the Seas is now expected to arrive in Miami in two weeks time following the diversion to Las Palmas.
Topics: Cruise Ship, Holiday, Weather, Travel
Tom Earnshaw