If the ocean already gives you the heebie-jeebies, or if you’ve got a cruise on the horizon, you might want to brace yourself before reading on. We’re all somewhat aware that strong winds can whip up monstrous waves at sea, causing quite the tumultuous voyage. Now, thanks to footage shared by a couple of passengers aboard a cruise ship, we can get a firsthand glimpse of what it’s like when a ship gets engulfed by the raging sea during a storm.
The Royal Caribbean’s Anthem Of The Seas, which plays host to approximately 4,500 passengers and 1,600 crew members, was en route from New Jersey to Port Canaveral in Florida when it encountered a fierce 120mph storm. The video captured shows a harrowing moment for the ship as it battled the storm.
The footage starts off innocuously enough with calm seas. However, as the journey progresses, the weather turns drastically, with the sea growing increasingly tumultuous. At the height of the storm, one of the passengers recording the video points out that the ocean “looks black” and comments on the staggering height of the waves.
As the ship tilts from the force of the storm, walking on the deck becomes a surreal experience, requiring passengers to lean as they move. Dramatically, the video also shows waves crashing against the window, plunging the room into darkness temporarily as the water envelops them, even though they are on the third floor, with waves reportedly soaring over 30 feet.
This gripping footage, uploaded on YouTube in March 2017, has amassed over 20 million views. Viewers have been both terrified and mesmerized by the sheer power of nature as displayed in the clip.
In the comments, one person reflects: “Everyone’s freaking out about how crazy the waves look. But imagine being a 1700s sailor and getting caught in a storm like this…” Another admits to initially being unfazed until seeing the ship’s window completely obscured by a wave, saying it left them “spooked.”
Despite the footage being filmed back in February 2016, it continues to spark conversations online, particularly on Reddit where one commenter vividly described their hypothetical reaction: “I would be puking blood and begging everyone to kill me..” Another simply stated: “That is terrifying.”
Interestingly, amidst the chaos, some viewers were impressed by the composure of the passengers, particularly noting one individual who managed to keep smiling even as a massive wave covered their window. Another commenter echoed this sentiment, baffled by how calm the man appeared, stating: “This guy is absolutely way too calm about this.”
Adventures at sea can indeed turn into spine-chilling tales, especially when Mother Nature shows her might. If you’re planning a cruise anytime soon, perhaps this story will serve as a reminder of the power of the seas and the importance of safety on such journeys.