Royal Caribbean cruise ship experiences turbulent weather: Passengers report items flying around

The passengers on a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship, the Voyager of the Seas, experienced a tumultuous journey as the vessel battled through rough weather, leading to shaking cabins and flooding around the ship. The incident occurred as the ship was returning to Galveston, Texas, concluding a round-trip five-night sailing that included a visit to Cozumel, Mexico. The cruise commenced on January 22.

According to reports from passengers, the ship encountered three episodes of turbulent weather featuring rain, hail, and high winds, starting late in the day on Friday. Chelsea Ireland and her husband, who were aboard, observed the ship approaching dark skies and rain at around 2:30 p.m. Opting to stay in their balcony cabin, they felt the ship tilt significantly to one side.

“It felt like we were walking up a very steep hill,” described Chelsea, aged 30, from Frisco, Texas. This unsettling sensation persisted for about five minutes. Upon leaving their cabin, the couple witnessed some passengers donning lifejackets, praying, and providing comfort to each other in the ship’s corridors.

Elaina Escobedo, 21, was on the Royal Promenade when she heard the sound of metal dishware hitting the ground. Upon reaching her grandparents’ cabin, she discovered her grandmother’s wheelchair had rolled across the room, and cups of lemonade and water had spilled. Despite the chaos, her grandmother remained safe on her couch. Escobedo, a resident of Port Arthur, Texas, had been on eight cruises before but mentioned that she had never experienced ships rocking “to this extent.” She even posted a video on TikTok, filmed by her sister, showcasing a chair being blown across an outer deck.

Both Ireland and Escobedo reported that their staterooms suffered flooding as water filled their balconies. However, the severity was less compared to some other staterooms they observed. Royal Caribbean has not yet responded to inquiries  regarding the incident.

This incident follows a similar occurrence last month involving another Royal Caribbean ship, the Serenade of the Seas. The vessel, currently engaged in the line’s nine-month Ultimate World Cruise, faced flooding during rough weather off the coast of South America.

Despite the challenging experience, Escobedo expressed that it would not deter her from taking another cruise, albeit not anytime soon. The incidents raise questions about cruise safety and the impact of adverse weather conditions on these massive vessels, prompting cruise operators to enhance safety measures and protocols for such situations.