Within the past week, two ships crossing the Atlantic have encountered unprecedented weather, with one ship dramatically tilting and causing extensive damage onboard.
Explorer of the Seas was the first to report sailing through a sudden, powerful squall. The 137,308 gross registered ton ship was en route from Barcelona to Miami when they were hit by a rogue storm with winds exceeding 50mph. The violent gusts of wind and rough sea conditions caused Explorer to dramatically list, leaving the ship in shambles and injuring several passengers onboard.
Most recently, the Captain onboard Odyssey of the Seas told cruisers to brace for strong swells, advising guests they'd be sailing through a powerful storm front with 6-7 meter waves and 50-knot winds. As the ship changed positions to avoid the worst of the storm, there was a possibility the 169,300 gross registered ton ship could also list.
Though the incident aboard Explorer of the Seas was far worse than on Odyssey, passengers on both vessels reported glassware shattered across the floor.
Guests on Explorer also said furniture had been overturned, and merchandise from the ship's storm had tumbled from the shelves. Afterward, passengers were ordered to remain in their cabins while the crew accounted for all guests. Additionally, medical announcements were made for injured passengers.
Conversely, guests on Odyssey of the Seas weren't confined to their staterooms. Instead, they spent the day indoors gambling at Casino Royale or drinking at Playmakers, indicating that the situation was far less chaotic and scary.
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Severe list for "somewhere between 5 to 10 minutes"
After the incident on Explorer of the Seas, photos began surfacing showcasing the extent of the damage, with impacted areas including Casino Royale, the Royal Promenade, Windjammer, retail shops, and bars.
Bottles of alcohol had shattered across the floor, mixing with spilled drinks and broken glass. While the stores weren't completely destroyed, everything from T-shirts to postcards, magnets, and jewelry was scattered across the floors.
Unfortunately, the cruise had faced a few unexpected changes leading up to the squall. First, due to the catastrophic flooding that devastated Valencia, Explorer of the Seas' scheduled stop was canceled, and the ship was diverted to Cartagena, Spain.
Then, the 1,020-foot-long vessel skipped its stop in the Azores because of Tropical Storm Patty and instead called at Tenerife before beginning its voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.
However, after being struck by the squall, Explorer was diverted back to the Canary Islands due to a medical emergency. While docked, the ship also refueled and restocked supplies.
The unexpected stop delayed Explorer of the Seas' return to Florida. Rather than disembarking on November 14, the vessel is expected to arrive on Nov. 17. The ship was slated to depart on a 10-night Southern Caribbean cruise to Haiti, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Kitts on the 14th.
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Odyssey of the Seas hit by unfavorable weather conditions days after
While sailing from Civitavecchia, Italy, to New Jersey, guests aboard Odyssey of the Seas were advised to remain seated as the Captain and ship's crew adjusted course to steer through a powerful storm.
Unlike on Explorer, passengers aboard Odyssey weren't confined to their cabins after the incident, with many continuing to take advantage of the ship's amenities, including the casino and bars. While some guests reported feeling uneasy due to the ship's movement, there weren't any major disruptions or injuries, and the damage was minimal compared to the mess on Explorer.
Similarly, however, guests began to share their experiences, with some like Deborah Sahli documenting massive waves swallowing windows on lower decks.
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Odyssey is still scheduled to arrive in Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on Nov. 17 ahead of her seasonal stint to the Bahamas and Florida. The vessel just wrapped up its 2024 European deployment, sailing to Italy, Greece, and Turkey. Following Odyssey's time in New Jersey, the 1,138-foot-long ship will return to Europe in May, offering cruises from Civitavecchia.
Guests onboard both ships have expressed their appreciation for the crew's efforts in managing such extreme conditions
"On the [Odyssey of the Seas] now," shared Mari Lynne LaRocco to Facebook, "Captain Per kept us safe. We are still rocking but not nearly as bad as before we changed course."
Marc Van Niekerk added, "Captain and crew have been fantastic and we’ve felt safe the whole time!"
"Captain Per did a great job informing us what [about] was going on and instructing everyone on safety. He also did a great job keeping us safe," said Dee Dee.
E.R. Medinoff commented on a separate post, applauding the efforts of the crew on Explorer of the Seas: "It was one heck of an experience. It just came up out of nowhere. Captain Frank and the rest of the crew have done everything possible to assist everyone."
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
