Footage shows moment Royal Caribbean cruise ship was flooded during storm in the Gulf of Mexico

Water flowed into rooms and sunbeds were strewn across the deck as the vessel was battered by the fierce weather conditions.

Friday 2 February 2024 12:39, UK

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Passengers' cabins were flooded after a storm hit a cruise ship traveling through the Gulf of Mexico

Footage has emerged of a cruise ship being flooded during a storm in the Gulf of Mexico - causing water to flow into people's cabins.

Travis Hair, a passenger on the Royal Caribbean vessel, filmed as the balcony of his room on the Voyager Of The Seas was swamped.

Mr Hair said he captured the video while the vessel was "sailing through a thunderstorm" on 26 January.

He added there were "high winds on the deck… platters of food crashing to the floor in the buffet, liquor and other glass breaking, water coming in through the balconies and flooding."

The footage also shows sunbeds piled up on the deck after being tossed around in the powerful storm.

The vessel was on its way back to Galveston, Texas, as part of a five-night trip to Cozumel, Mexico, according to USA Today.

Passenger Chelsea Ireland told the newspaper she felt the vessel tilt as it was battered by heavy winds.

She said: "When we tried to walk across our room, it felt like we were walking up a very steep hill."

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Travis Hair filmed his flooded balcony. Pic: Storyful

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royal caribbean cruise in the storm

Fellow passenger Elaina Escobedo, 21, went to her grandparent's cabin to check on them during the storm. "There were just things flying all over the place," she said.

Ms Escobedo added that her grandmother was safe on the sofa, but her wheelchair had rolled across the room and cups of lemonade had been knocked over.

The footage emerged after another Royal Caribbean ship, Serenade of the Seas, reportedly flooded last month.

Sky News has contacted Royal Caribbean for comment.

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Live updates, dramatic video shows royal caribbean cruise ship passengers panic during freak storm.

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Dramatic video captured the moment panicked passengers ran for their lives aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship hit by a freak storm — which sent deck furniture flying as the vessel prepared to leave a Florida port.

The Independence of the Seas was about to embark on a voyage from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas about 4 p.m. June 16 when heavy rain and violent winds slammed the 15-deck, 1,112-foot-long vessel.

“Just a fun evening leaving Port Canaveral this past Friday. No announcement from the captain before or after, also no mention of what happened. Just pretend like it didn’t happen I guess,” TikTok user Lucassparrow1110 posted .

Sparrow also posted harrowing footage on Twitter of chairs and umbrellas flying on the ship as screaming passengers seek cover from the storm — and several people are seen sliding across a windswept walkway.

“Instead of telling people to come up to the top deck when we have a severe thunderstorm warning, maybe you should be more worried about your guests and employees and tell them to get inside,” he wrote.

At one point, a lounge chair narrowly misses a woman carrying a child.

A woman and a child are almost hit by a lounge chair

Jenn Stancil, who captured footage of the storm moving in, told Fox 35 Orlando : “It just turned crazy. It looked like a scene from the movie ‘Twister’ is exactly what I thought, because you see these chairs flying up in the air.”

Jerry Pike, a local photographer who was sitting in his vehicle in Jetty Park during the outburst, also posted video of the storm.

“This is my view of Independence of the Seas as she started to get battered by the heavy winds whilst mid-spin attempting to turn around to leave the port,” Pike said in a tweet .

Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas  ship

“You can see the rain line pushing towards us, and the Indy was completely gone from view due to the rain shortly after this,” he added.

A meteorologist for Fox 35 reported that winds reached from 55 to 60 mph at the height of the storm.

“The Independence was just getting battered by winds as it was trying to push off the dock,” Pike told Insider . “Then [it] was covered by the gray cloud of rain and we couldn’t see more than 20 yards out the window.”  

Passengers seen sliding across the deck

Kyleigh Cole, an agent with Boardwalk Travel Agency, expressed concerns about how Royal Caribbean handled the incident.

“There’s always something you can do, other than just letting the guests and the travelers getting poured on, rained down on and being in the middle of a storm,” Cole told Fox 35 .

“This could have ruined somebody’s cruise experience where they’ll never take another cruise again,” the travel agent added.

In a statement sent to the news outlet, the company said the “Independence of the seas encountered a sudden gust of high winds. This lasted for a brief period and there were no serious injuries to our guests or crew…”

The ship reportedly arrived safely at Coco Cay, an island used by Royal Caribbean about 55 miles north of Nassau.

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NBC 6 South Florida

Videos capture terrifying moments of Royal Caribbean cruise caught in bad weather

A spokesperson for royal caribbean said the turbulence did not last long and there were no serious injuries., by monica galarza and kaitlyn schwanemann • published june 23, 2023 • updated on june 26, 2023 at 7:27 am.

A sudden storm hit a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, sending passengers running for cover as furniture flew around the deck.

Passengers had just boarded the Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas docked in Port Canaveral in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and were about to depart for the Bahamas when gusts of hurricane-like winds hit the ship.

Videos shared on social media show lounge chairs and tables flying across the deck.

One video captured the terrifying moment when a lounge chair narrowly misses a woman carrying a small child and hitting her stroller. Fortunately, the stroller was empty.

Get South Florida local news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters.

Another video shows cruise guests running from the turbulent weather.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said the storm did not last long and there were no serious injuries reported.

The cruise was able depart for the Bahamas and arrived at CocoCay on time, the spokesperson said.

royal caribbean cruise in the storm

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@cornettahh Another angle from the 6/16/23 squall that hit #independenceofthesea while docked in #PortCanaveral around 4pm. It hit so fast and was gone in a matter of minutes! No ship announcements were made before or after so people on the lower pool deck were hit completely without warning. 😳 #hurricaneseason #floridaweather #cruiseship #royalcaribbean #chaos #ocean #sea #squall ♬ original sound - Cora Cornett

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royal caribbean cruise in the storm

Passengers hit by a storm on a Royal Caribbean cruise line cling to railings as intense gusts rock the ship and send debris flying, videos show

  • A Royal Caribbean cruise was battered by gusts of rain and wind before its departure Friday.
  • Passengers shared videos of patrons sliding along the deck during the storm.
  • The cruise line says no serious injuries or damage occurred as a result of the storm.

Insider Today

Passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship ran for cover as umbrellas, chairs, and other furniture flew around them during a sudden, spectacular storm that struck Florida's Port Canaveral on Friday.

As the Independence of the Seas prepared to depart, strong winds and rain battered the 15-deck ship. In multiple videos posted to YouTube and Twitter , passengers are shown slipping and sliding across the decks while attempting to get safely inside.

The ship departed for the Bahamas despite the storm and arrived at CocoCay on time, according to a Royal Caribbean statement to Insider. The company called the storm "brief" and said there were no serious injuries to crewmembers or passengers.  

Related stories

Passengers took to the internet to describe their personal experiences. 

"Instead of telling people to come up to the top deck when we have a severe thunderstorm warning, maybe you should be more worried about your guests and employees and tell them to get inside," tweeted one passenger who filmed the storm .

Jerry Pike, a photographer and Florida local, told Insider he watched the storm hit the Independence of the Seas while sitting in a car in Jetty Park facing the port. Though the storm lasted only minutes, he said it was "exceptionally strong." 

—Jerry Pike (@JerryPikePhoto) June 16, 2023

Pike estimated winds reached between 40 and 50 miles per hour at the height of the storm, which he added was "terrifying" to watch. A meteorologist for Fox 35 reported winds reached from 55 to 60 miles an hour at their peak strength. 

"The Independence was just getting battered by winds as it was trying to push off the dock," Pike said. "Then [it] was covered by the gray cloud of rain and we couldn't see more than 20 yards out the window."  

The storm is just one of many expected to hit the Florida coast as hurricane season begins in the Atlantic Ocean, which runs from the beginning of June to November 30.

Watch: The rise and fall of the cruise industry

royal caribbean cruise in the storm

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'Sailing Through a Thunderstorm': Passenger Shares Experience as Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Floods

A storm hit a Royal Caribbean cruise ship traveling through the Gulf of Mexico on January 26, flooding passengers’ cabins.

Travis Hair filmed the storm’s impact on the ship, the Voyager of the Seas, with water flooding the balcony of his room.

Travis said the footage was captured as the ship was “sailing through a thunderstorm”.

He said there were “high winds on the deck…platters of food crashing to the floor in the buffet, liquor and other glass breaking, water coming in through the balconies and flooding.”

Storyful has contacted Royal Caribbean for comment. Credit: @letsgetwanderlost via Storyful

Video Transcript

[NO SPEECH]

WOMAN: Is it better if you put it right up against the window?

Yeah, it actually is.

TRAVIS HAIR: You can't even tell where the water-- I think it's over there.

WOMAN: That overhang-- the little cover on top of the hot tub-- looks like it might not make it.

WOMAN: Yeah, see mine will still just focus on the water droplets.

TRAVIS HAIR: Our window is vibrating.

WOMAN: Huh?

TRAVIS HAIR: This window is vibrating.

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Independent TV

Showing now | news.

Passengers flee as Royal Caribbean cruise ship lashed by storm

Billal Rahman | Tuesday 27 June 2023 05:30 BST

Passengers flee as Royal Caribbean cruise ship lashed by storm

Passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship were forced to run for cover after an intense rain storm and strong winds sent deck furniture flying across the deck.

Footage circulating on social media shows furniture flying across decks while people desperately attempted to escape the weather carnage.

The  Independence of the Seas  ship was caught in a brief rain storm as it prepared to leave Port Canaveral in Florida last week.

Passengers were lounging by the pool in the sunshine when strong winds and heavy rain suddenly hit the seas.

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Bonkers video footage shows chaos on cruise ship during intense storm, share this article.

An intense storm surprised passengers as they boarded a cruise ship in Florida and sent them scrambling for shelter as hurricane-like winds sent deck chairs and loungers, among other things, flying into the air in a chaotic scene some likened to the movie “Twister.”

The Independence of the Seas from Royal Caribbean was at the dock in Port Canaveral when the storm suddenly erupted with heavy rain and wind, sending many of the passengers into a panic as they sought safety. Some were hit by the flying debris.

Jenn Stancil captured video of the storm moving in and the passengers scrambling for safety as rain drenched the deck.

“It just turned crazy,” Stancil told FOX 35 Orlando . “It looked like a scene from the movie “Twister” is exactly what I thought, because you see these chairs flying up in the air.”

Lucas Sparrow, another eyewitness, told FOX 35 Orlando, “People were getting blown, losing their hats [and] towels.”

One lounger crashed down on an empty baby stroller as the woman pulled it. Fortunately the woman was carrying the baby and was not hit, as shown in footage posted on the Instagram account called Sunshine State of Mind 305 . (To view on some servers, you might have to click the link.)

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Sunshine State of Mind 305 (@305ssom)

Stancil’s video lasted only a bit over four minutes, showing how quickly a storm can move in. And how quickly, in this case, it can move on.

Also on FTW Outdoors: Video from fishing boat in high seas causes viewers to become ‘seasick’

Royal Caribbean responded to FOX 35’s request for comments, saying, “On Friday, June 16, while departing from Port Canaveral,  Independence of the Seas  encountered a sudden gust of high winds. This lasted for a brief period and there were no serious injuries to our guests or crew.  Independence of the Seas  continued its regularly scheduled 3-night itinerary, arriving to Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, on Saturday morning, as scheduled.”

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Royal Caribbean responds after video shows cruise ship passengers hit by flying deck chairs during storm

Cruise company responds to viral video.

Royal Caribbean responds after cruise ship passengers hit by flying deck chairs during severe storm

A Central Florida travel agent is concerned with how Royal Caribbean handled a severe storm, saying it could turn passengers away from future trips.

FOX 35 was sent a video from aboard the Independence of the Seas cruise ship last Friday. Passengers on board were caught in a severe thunderstorm, causing damage and forcing people to scramble looking for safety.

Travel experts say passengers put a lot of trust in cruises when booking vacations, and this isn’t how you maintain that trust. In several videos, you can hear passengers screaming and see dozens running trying to find shelter. 

It was a chaotic scene, and Kyleigh Cole is shocked it even happened in the first place.

"There’s always something you can do, other than just letting the guests and the travelers getting poured on, rained down on and being in the middle of a storm," Cole said, who’s a licensed travel agent with Boardwalk Travel Agency.

She cruises herself and knows how important safety is before, during and after the ship docks. 

"This could have ruined somebody’s cruise experience where they’ll never take another cruise again," Cole added.

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Wicked weather causes chaos on cruise ship

Passengers were caught off guard by a Florida summer storm as they were boarding their ship at Port Canaveral last week.

At least one person was caught on video getting hit by a flying beach chair. Fox 35 meteorologist, Brooks Garner, says there were severe weather warnings in the area at the time of the storm."

On Friday, June 16, between 3:45 and 4:15 p.m. – there was a severe thunderstorm warning for coastal Brevard County for a storm producing wind gusts over 60 miles per hour, in fact the port recorded winds gusting over 55 miles per hour, so there was a lot of wind confirmed with this storm," Garner said.

Passengers on board say they had no warning."They should have at least gave some kind of warning, you know, a minute or two or something, but they never made an announcement or anything," said Lucas Sparrow who was safely inside during the storm but captured a lot of the chaos on video.

In a statement sent to FOX 35, Royal Caribbean says, "…Independence of the seas encountered a sudden gust of high winds. This lasted for a brief period and there were no serious injuries to our guests or crew…". Whether there were injuries or not, this ordeal has passengers sounding the alarm on safety. 

Since receiving the statement from Royal Caribbean, FOX 35 is pressing for more information on what weather safety protocols are currently in place and why guests weren’t notified earlier. At this time, we haven’t heard back. 

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Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers scramble during freak storm

Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers scramble during freak storm

Royal Caribbean passengers speak with Fox 35 Orlando and recount the scary scene as a storm hit the Independence of the Seas cruise ship. 

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USA TODAY

A cruise to nowhere: Royal Caribbean sailing canceled after guests boarded

A Royal Caribbean International Alaska voyage became a cruise to nowhere over the weekend, with the line canceling the sailing after guests had already boarded.

The cruise line’s Radiance of the Seas ship experienced propulsion issues, forcing it to shorten and eventually scrap the weeklong itinerary, according to notices shared with guests. The sailing was originally set to depart from Vancouver on Friday.

Charlene Chong, who was on board with her husband, their 3-year and 11-month-old children, and her parents, said passengers were notified Saturday afternoon that the cruise was canceled. The 34-year-old teacher and her husband previously took a cruise for their honeymoon, but this marked their first trip with Royal Caribbean.

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“My parents had wanted to go to Alaska for a really long time,” said Chong, who lives in Vancouver.

The cruise line warned guests several days before boarding that the ship had a “technical issue with its propulsion system,” according to an email sent to passengers that Chong shared with USA TODAY. The line later pushed the departure back by two days to allow more time for repairs.

Royal Caribbean said boarding would proceed as planned but that the terminal would close Friday evening due to U.S. Customs and Border Protection rules. Passengers would not be able to leave until the ship arrived at Icy Strait Point.

“We were going stir crazy a little bit,” said Chong.

Royal Caribbean gave guests onboard credit worth two days of their fare, a future cruise credit of the same amount, complimentary drinks and other compensation, another email said.

According to Chong, the ship sailed toward a nearby cargo port, but the captain announced Saturday afternoon that the sailing could not proceed and that guests would need to disembark by Sunday at 4 p.m. Chong said she and her family were “lucky” they were local, but she saw other guests scrambling to change their flights and find accommodations.

Your cruise was canceled: Now what?

“We understand the disappointment due to this unfortunate turn of events,” the cruise line said in a letter shared with guests. “We truly extend our sincerest apologies for the continued unforeseen disruptions to your vacation.”

Royal Caribbean gave them their money back as onboard credit with any remaining amount refunded, increased their future cruise credit to 100% of their fare and kept its open-bar policy for the remaining time on board. The line also offered to reimburse trip change fees up to $250 for guests traveling domestically and $400 for international travel and additional reimbursements for hotel and transportation costs, among other compensation.

“Due to a technical issue, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the April 26 sailing," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "Guests will receive a full refund and 100% future cruise credit, and have been notified directly.” The spokesperson did not comment on the specifics of Chong's experience.

The ship will resume service for its May 3 sailing.

After they got home, Chong and her family booked a trip to Mexico instead – though her parents decided not to join as they were “a bit exhausted by the whole ordeal.” For now, she’s not inclined to use the future cruise credit. “I would like to go to Alaska,” she said. “I'm not sure if I want to go with them.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A cruise to nowhere: Royal Caribbean sailing canceled after guests boarded

The Radiance of the Seas.

Nearly 200 people sick in norovirus outbreaks on Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises ships

royal caribbean cruise in the storm

Nearly 200 people got sick in norovirus outbreaks on Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International ships.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 94 of the 2,532 guests on Sapphire Princess reported being ill during its April 5 cruise, along with 20 crew members. The round-trip cruise, which left from Los Angeles with stops in Hawaii and the South Pacific, will end on May 7, according to CruiseMapper .

On Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas, 67 of its 1,993 guests reported being ill in addition to two crew members during a cruise that ended April 22, according to the CDC . The two-week voyage sailed from Tampa, Florida to Los Angeles with stops in countries like Colombia and Panama, according to CruiseMapper .

In both outbreaks, the guests and crew members’ main symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting.

Princess, Royal Caribbean and the ships’ crews implemented heightened cleaning and disinfection measures and isolated those who were sick, among other steps, the health agency said.

"Onboard the most current sailing of Sapphire Princess, there have been a small number of cases of mild gastrointestinal illness among passengers, the cause likely is the common but contagious virus called Norovirus," a Princess spokesperson told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. "At the first sign of an increase in the numbers of passengers reporting to the medical center with gastrointestinal illness, we immediately initiated additional enhanced sanitization procedures to interrupt the person-to-person spread of this virus. Our sanitization program, developed in coordination with the CDC, includes disinfection measures, isolation of ill passengers and communication to passengers about steps they can take to stay well while onboard."

Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The CDC has logged six outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships that met its threshold for public notification since the beginning of the year. Norovirus was listed as the causative agent in five, while one was unknown.

The illness is often associated with cruise ships but outbreaks occur in communities on land as well, according to Dr. Sarah E. Hochman, a hospital epidemiologist and the section chief of infectious diseases at NYU Langone Health’s Tisch Hospital.

“There's not something special or unique about cruise ships,” she said. “It's really any type of congregate setting, but it's also happening out in the community on a much smaller scale among households and household contacts. It just doesn't come to the attention of public health as much as it does for larger congregate settings.”

Hochman said the virus is “incredibly infectious” and congregate settings tend to have many shared surfaces, such as handrails in cruise ship stairwells or elevators. “And so, if you just have one person who's shedding the virus and touches the surface and then someone else touches it and then touches their mouth, that's how it can spread in those types of settings.”

Cruise ship medical facilities: What happens if you get sick or injured (or bitten by a monkey)

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer isn't as effective against norovirus, and Hochman emphasized that washing hands with soap and water “will do a lot to prevent the spread.”

The news comes after more than two dozen Silversea Cruises guests got sick in a gastrointestinal illness outbreak on the luxury line’s Silver Nova ship during a sailing that began in late March.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Royal Caribbean cancels all cruises to popular destination due to gang violence

  • Updated: May. 01, 2024, 3:19 p.m. |
  • Published: Apr. 30, 2024, 2:47 p.m.

Royal Caribbean cancels cruises Labadee Haiti gang violence

Royal Caribbean will cancel cruise trips to Labadee, Haiti, until at least September due to ongoing violence in the country, according to a report from Royal Caribbean blog. The company had previously suspended visits to Labadee through the end of May. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) AP

  • Zach Mentz, cleveland.com

Global cruise line operator Royal Caribbean has extended its cancellation of ship stops to Labadee, Haiti, due to ongoing violence in the region, the company announced.

Royal Caribbean cruises to Labadee will be canceled until at least September, according to a report from Royal Caribbean blog . Guests who booked cruises for summer and early fall are being notified by the company of the changes. Some trips have been replaced with another port or sea day while others have been canceled and refunded.

In March, Royal Caribbean announced it would suspend visits to Labadee through the end of May.

“We have not had any security concerns; this was done out of abundance of caution,” Jonathon Fishman, director of corporate and incident communications for The Royal Caribbean Group, told the Miami Herald .

Labadee is a private beach resort located on the northern coast of Haiti, which maintains sovereignty over the 260-acre area but leased it to Royal Caribbean in 1985. The exclusive resort is fenced off from Haiti and has its own security.

Haiti, in recent months, has been overwhelmed by civil unrest and violent gangs, which has forced the closing of the country’s main international airports, burnings of police stations and prison raids. About 2,500 people were killed or injured by gang violence in Haiti from January to March, according to the United Nations Integrated Office .

Haitian Prime Minster Ariel Henry in March announced he would resign from his position as the country works to establish a transitional presidential council.

Zach Mentz

Stories by Zach Mentz

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Should You Go on a Cruise for Your Next Vacation? [Infographic]

There are a few factors to consider..

By Eben Diskin | Published on May 3, 2024

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When considering how to plan a vacation (and how to plan a vacation on a budget), many people think the most important question is, "Where should I go on my trip?" In fact, the most important question is, "What kind of vacation do I want?" Your answer will dictate what your trip looks like, what kind of activities you plan, who you end up meeting, how you get there and how much money you spend. There are, of course, several options. A group tour? An independent self-guided trip? Or should you go on a cruise? It really depends on what kind of traveler you are and your goals for the trip.

Is A Cruise Right?

For your next vacation.

Thinking about casting off on your next great adventure? If you're not sure if a cruise is the right move, here's a quiz to help you with your trip planning. Your seafaring escapade could be just around the next wave!

When Is Your Open-Seas Dream Time?

Anytime; I've got an itch for exploration!

I'm laser-focused on specific dates.

I'm not sure; I haven't nailed down my schedule.

Got A Budget For Your Vacation?

You bet! And I want a deal that fits.

I have a budget, but I'm also willing to splash out.

Budget? That's a question mark for me.

Who's Cruising With You?

It's a party! I'm bringing the whole crew.

Either my other half or just me, myself and I.

Who knows! I want to keep my options open.

What Kind Of Scenery Are You Looking For?

I'm all about variety — from beaches to mountains to bustling cities.

I prefer one type of destination and exploring it thoroughly.

I might want to stay inland.

Which Experiences Do You Enjoy?

A mix of thrills, relaxation and local culture.

I want to discover hidden gems.

Relaxing and spending time at home.

Up For Cultural Emmersion?

Absolutely! I'm all about diving into new cultures.

Sure, if it fits in my itinerary.

Not high on my list, to be honest.

Are You Looking To Explore New Places?

Yes, I want to return transformed!

It's a nice bonus, but not a deal-breaker.

I'm not sure what I would explore!

Want Hassle-Free Travel?

Yes, take care of everything!

I can handle some logistics or go full DIY.

Not sure; there's a lot to work out before I decide.

A cruise adventure is your ticket to a dream vacation. Hoist the anchor and start planning the voyage of a lifetime.

A cruise is a good match! With such a variety of itineraries and ships to choose from, you're sure to find one that aligns with your dream getaway!

Explore other horizons, but don't rule out cruising completely. Seeing the world on the open seas is an easy way to cross destinations off your bucket list!

Mom and Daughters Enjoying Storm Surge at Cat6 Waterpark

Getting There

Check our cruise getaways for inspiration for your next trip.

F or those looking to avoid the logistical hassle of planning a trip, a group tour is a great option. You might travel on a bus with dozens of other like-minded tourists, escorted by a knowledgeable guide, and your days are largely planned out. By contrast, you could choose to plan your vacation entirely on your own, booking flights, hotels and activities. While there's a certain appeal to this level of freedom, it could also require months of careful planning, with the added stress that there's no guarantee things will go as planned.

So, why not go on a cruise? Cruises are a combination of a planned vacation along with the freedom to make your own choices. Accommodations, ship activities and shore excursions are provided, but cruises also offer the freedom of a self-guided tour. Your time onboard the ship is largely your own, and how you spend shore days is entirely up to you.

Should You Go On a Cruise?

Why should you go on a cruise? There are a few factors to consider. First, despite some misconceptions, cruising isn't only a luxury vacation. In many cases, it's actually more budget-friendly than your typical vacation. When you consider the cumulative cost of meals, alcohol, hotels and transportation on a self-planned vacation, it adds up quicker than you think. Cruises might feel more expensive up front, but with all meals and accommodations covered (and sometimes alcohol), you can actually save money. If you're wondering, "How much cash should I take on a cruise?" Well, the answer is tricky: it depends. Since everything on a cruise is conveniently linked to your credit card, you're spared the added hassle of carrying around extra cash while you are onboard, and can bill everything from shore excursions to spa treatments and tips back to your room. Still, you'll want to have some cash on hand for use in ports on everything from taxis (if you're not taking shore excursions) to tips for tour guides (if you are). You may also find that some souvenir shops prefer cash, and you'll want to have some handy for purchases you might like to make, such as locally distilled rum and fresh nutmeg in the Caribbean or bronze die-cut pasta and leather sandals in Italy. Many cafes and restaurants also prefer cash. We suggest bringing anywhere from $20 to $100 per day depending on your plans. Should you go on a cruise, and forget to bring cash, you don't want to run to an ATM in order to buy gelato in Rome just because the shop is cash only! 

What about choosing a destination? Since cruises go to appointed destinations and stop at certain ports, this means your options are limited/, right? Not true! Cruise ships travel all over the world. Royal Caribbean alone travels to more than 800 destinations. Picking a cruise is really similar to booking any other vacation. Do you want a beach trip? A hiking adventure? A city with a vibrant culinary and nightlife scene? What cultures are you interested in learning about? Indeed, cruising is a great way to expose yourself to cultures around the world, and culinary traditions from Caribbean salt fish to the famous street food of Thailand. It's as simple as searching a cruise line's website for the destination that best suits your interests. And, since most cruises travel to multiple ports on the same trip, you'll be able to see several different destinations that would otherwise prove logistically impossible.

Exploring family vacation ideas often starts with what's available for your kids from infants, toddlers, teenagers to young adults. With the first question typically being, will there be safe places for little ones to run around and play? Will there be enough entertainment for school-aged kids to not get bored? What kind of food options are available for less sophisticated palates?

Cruises excel in children's care. Starting with the youngest in your family (infants & toddler), onboard trained professional nursery staff are available to keep an eye on your children aged six-months to 36 months for those times when you just need a break to relax and get some adult time when traveling with your baby.

Included activities and amenities geared for different ages — including bumper cars, arcade rooms and video game tournaments, skydiving, ice skating and more, depending on the ship — almost guarantee that your kids will be begging to return to the spaces tailor-made for them.

Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean offers so much fun for kids and teens onboard . The kids' club staff engages them with fun new games that the whole family can enjoy, too. There's just something truly relaxing about knowing your kids are well taken care of.

Plan Fun for the Adults on Your Family Getaway

As for what the adults in your family can do while the kids are off having fun, cruises excel there, too. Cruises make for a great way to bond with friends and extended relatives, whether it's catching up over cocktails in one of the many sleek onboard lounges, treating yourselves to massages or pedicures in the spa, or laughing together during a few rounds of karaoke or trivia.

Adults-only spaces are great for the grown-ups in the family who enjoy a quieter space to unwind. On these family getaways, you can set a meeting time and space with your friends once the kids are safely checked into their clubs. Then, you can spend a few hours of uninterrupted conservation in the hot tub or lounging on the deck. Parents with young kids know how infrequent those moments can be with kids around, so the time together is invaluable.

Find Flexible Cruise Dining Options for all to Enjoy

One of the most challenging parts of family vacations (especially a travel getaway with large family groups) is finding suitable dining that fits various needs, including different budgets, appetites, dietary restrictions such as allergies and more. The larger the group you're traveling with, the more potential for headaches when it comes to selecting a restaurant that everyone can agree on.

Not so with a cruise. Not only are there numerous onboard dining options (from sushi, pizza, burgers and buffets to room service and formal dining), but within each type of restaurant, you can rest assured that things like dietary restrictions and allergies will be taken care of. And the service cannot be beat.

One of the best aspects of cruising with families is getting the kids ready for a special dinner and watching the wait staff dote over the kiddos. Frequently, special items such as favorite desserts will be on the table even before you arrive. The waiters get to know the kids (and the adults), spending a few moments catching up and sometimes even performing impromptu magic acts or comedy routines.

As stressful as it is to find suitable dining on a typical family getaway, it's amazing how effortless and fun it is to take the whole family out for dinner on a cruise.

Seek Out Best Vacation Places for Families

Everyone gets a little bored by the same old vacation, even if it's a tried-and-true getaway for your large family. In choosing to travel by cruise, you can pick the best family vacation places to visit! Try somewhere new to explore every time you plan a trip for the whole family: one year, you might pick the Caribbean or Mexico to enjoy exploring ancient ruins or time on the beach. The next year, you might head to Alaska for a family getaway that is sure to wow all from the glacier tours, experiencing sled dogs in person, and other local wildlife.

Even though the accommodations are familiar, the scenery changes, allowing your entire group to learn new things, meet locals and make memories together in new destinations.

royal caribbean cruise in the storm

Written By MELISSA ALVARADO SIERRA

Melissa Alvarado Sierra is a journalist, author and sailor. She's been exploring coastal destinations around the world for more than a decade, always searching for authentic experiences to share with her adventurous readers. Her work has been published or is forthcoming in  The New York Times, Lonely Planet, Orion Magazine, AFAR, USA Today  and others.

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IMAGES

  1. Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Suffers Damage After Getting Caught In A

    royal caribbean cruise in the storm

  2. WATCH: Time lapse video of Royal Carribean ship getting battered by

    royal caribbean cruise in the storm

  3. WATCH: 'Terrifying' moment cruise ship sailed into storm

    royal caribbean cruise in the storm

  4. Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Suffers Damage After Getting Caught In A

    royal caribbean cruise in the storm

  5. On a Royal Caribbean Cruise in a Storm, Anything but Smooth Sailing

    royal caribbean cruise in the storm

  6. Things to Do

    royal caribbean cruise in the storm

VIDEO

  1. Cruise Ship Craziness on Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas During Storm

  2. Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers run for cover as storm batters deck furniture

  3. WORLD CRUISE starts- Serenade of the Seas: #shorts #short #cruisenews CRUISE NEWS Royal Caribbean

  4. What Happens When Your Cruise Ship Hits a Storm? #shorts

  5. CRUISE NEWS: Freak Storm Causes Chaos, NCL Itinerary Change, Sick Passengers, Policy Change

COMMENTS

  1. Watch cruise passengers flee flying lounge chairs, debris as storm hits

    Watch zoo animals react as totality passes over Texas during eclipse. 02:19. A Royal Caribbean cruise ship was caught in a powerful storm shortly after passengers boarded to depart from Port ...

  2. Footage shows moment Royal Caribbean cruise ship was flooded during

    Footage has emerged of a cruise ship being flooded during a storm in the Gulf of Mexico - causing water to flow into people's cabins. Travis Hair, a passenger on the Royal Caribbean vessel, filmed ...

  3. Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers flee during violent storm

    The Royal Caribbean cruise ship Independence of the Seas was struck by a freak storm that sent passengers running for their lives. PA Images via Getty Images. "You can see the rain line pushing ...

  4. Royal Caribbean Ship Impacted by Sudden Storm in Gulf of Mexico

    Royal Caribbean International's Voyager of the Seas recently encountered a severe squall in the Gulf of Mexico while finishing her most recent sailing. The storm's intensity created onboard ...

  5. WATCH: Royal Caribbean cruise ship caught in storm

    A passenger on board a Royal Caribbean cruise captured the terrifying moment the ship experienced bad weather while docked in Port Canaveral. A sudden storm hit a Royal Caribbean cruise ship ...

  6. Passenger video shows flooding on Royal Caribbean's world cruise in

    0:00. 0:42. Royal Caribbean International's Serenade of the Seas hit rough weather off the coast of South America on Tuesday, causing flooding in some parts of the ship. The vessel, which is ...

  7. VIDEO: Royal Caribbean Cruise Passengers Cling to Railings in Storm

    Jun 24, 2023, 7:17 PM PDT. People looking at a cruise ship. China News Service/Getty Images. A Royal Caribbean cruise was battered by gusts of rain and wind before its departure Friday. Passengers ...

  8. 'Sailing Through a Thunderstorm': Passenger Shares Experience as Royal

    A storm hit a Royal Caribbean cruise ship traveling through the Gulf of Mexico on January 26, flooding passengers' cabins.Travis Hair filmed the storm's impact on the ship, the Voyager of the ...

  9. Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers run for cover as storm sends

    Royal Caribbean said in a statement that no passengers were seriously injured due to the flash storm. Recommended Passenger falls overboard on Royal Caribbean cruise hours after a woman dies on ship

  10. Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers scramble as freak storm tosses

    The Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas was ready to embark on its voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Bahamas on June 16 when a storm hit the port. One video shows passengers ...

  11. See a storm rip through cruise ship in Florida

    A sudden freak Florida storm sent cruise ship passengers running for cover last week as they were boarding Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas at Port Canaveral in Cape Canaveral.

  12. Passengers flee as Royal Caribbean cruise ship lashed by storm

    13:19. The hidden pressures of playing real life figures. Passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship were forced to run for cover after an intense rain storm and strong winds sent deck furniture ...

  13. Passengers hit by a storm on a Royal Caribbean cruise line cling to

    A Royal Caribbean cruise was battered by gusts of rain and wind before its departure Friday. Passengers shared videos of patrons sliding along the deck during the storm.

  14. Bonkers video footage shows chaos on cruise ship during intense storm

    Royal Caribbean responded to FOX 35's request for comments, saying, "On Friday, June 16, while departing from Port Canaveral, Independence of the Seas encountered a sudden gust of high winds ...

  15. Royal Caribbean responds after video shows cruise ship passengers hit

    A Central Florida travel agent is concerned with how Royal Caribbean handled a severe storm, saying it could turn passengers away from future trips. FOX 35 was sent a video from aboard the ...

  16. Royal Caribbean responds after passengers hit by flying chairs in

    Royal Caribbean responds after cruise ship passengers hit by flying deck chairs during severe stormSubscribe to FOX 35 Orlando: https://bit.ly/3ACagaOWatch F...

  17. Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers scramble during freak storm

    FOX News Radio Live Channel Coverage. Royal Caribbean passengers speak with Fox 35 Orlando and recount the scary scene as a storm hit the Independence of the Seas cruise ship.

  18. Chaotic Scenes on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship After Freak Storm

    Despite the storm at Port Canaveral, Independence of the Seas began its sailing as planned. Independence of the Seas offers two cruises out of Port Canaveral, Florida. The first is a 3-night ...

  19. Video Shows Chaos Aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Caught in Storm

    Passengers' cellphone videos show furniture flying as the cruise ship was caught in hurricane-force winds.

  20. The Perfect Storm℠

    Required Travel Documents. Royal Gifts. Gift Cards. Royal Caribbean Visa Signature® Card. CruisingPower.com. Royal Caribbean App. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Perfect Storm features twisting, bendy racers waterslides with translucent panels. Experience the best family friendly activities onboard Royal Caribbean Cruises.

  21. Subtropical storm Nicole disrupts Royal Caribbean cruise itineraries

    Here are the changes due to Subtropical storm Nicole so far: Liberty of the Seas will change her 4-night Bahamas cruise to skip all scheduled ports and instead sail to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.. Freedom of the Seas will change from a 4-night Bahamas cruise to head to Falmouth, Jamaica instead.. Anthem of the Seas is altering her 7-night Bahamas itinerary to instead visit Labadee for ...

  22. 4 Night Short Caribbean Cruise

    Start planning your next cruise vacation by selecting a destination and departure port. Royal Caribbean Cruises. Priced from: $279.5 per person 7 sailing dates available. Book Now. 4 Night Short Caribbean Cruise. Itinerary Overview. Explore Independence of the Seas. Day 1 - Miami, Florida. Day 2 - Cruising.

  23. The Perfect Storm℠

    CruisingPower.com . Royal Caribbean App. COVID-19 Workplace Risk Assessment. Royal Caribbean's The Perfect Storm℠ features the perfect trio of water slides with translucent panels, so you can enjoy the view along the way. It's an activity that every member of the family will love.

  24. A cruise to nowhere: Royal Caribbean sailing canceled after ...

    A Royal Caribbean International Alaska voyage became a cruise to nowhere over the weekend, with the line canceling the sailing after guests had already boarded. The cruise line's Radiance of the ...

  25. Royal Caribbean suspends stops in Haiti's Labadee through September

    Royal Caribbean International has suspended stops at private destination Labadee in Haiti through the summer amid continued violence in the country. "The safety and security of our guests, crew ...

  26. 3 Reasons Royal Caribbean Stock Can Double Again in 2024

    Royal Caribbean said that it now expects adjusted earnings per share to clock in between $9.90 to $10.10, a 46% to 49% improvement over 2023. This brings us to Thursday morning's update. Royal ...

  27. Nearly 200 sick in Princess, Royal Caribbean norovirus outbreaks

    0:46. Nearly 200 people got sick in norovirus outbreaks on Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International ships. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 94 of the 2,532 guests on ...

  28. Royal Caribbean cancels all cruises to popular destination due to gang

    Published: Apr. 30, 2024, 2:47 p.m. Royal Caribbean will cancel cruise trips to Labadee, Haiti, until at least September due to ongoing violence in the country, according to a report from Royal ...

  29. 'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami

    The nudist cruise specialist is teaming up with Norwegian Cruise Line to launch an 11-day voyage from Miami to the Caribbean, scheduled to set sail onboard the 295-meter Norwegian Pearl in ...

  30. Should You Go on a Cruise for Your Next Vacation?

    Cruises are a combination of a planned vacation along with the freedom to make your own choices. Accommodations, ship activities and shore excursions are provided, but cruises also offer the freedom of a self-guided tour. Your time onboard the ship is largely your own, and how you spend shore days is entirely up to you.