Sixteen people were injured when the luxury cruise ship Crown Princess encountered rough waters near Milford Sound, New Zealand, on February 25.
The ship tilted 14 degrees, causing passengers and crew to lose balance as furniture and equipment slid across the vessel.
Passengers described the terrifying experience, with one recalling how they were lying in bed when sudden chaos erupted.
Another passenger said they saw the sea looking unusually high through the restaurant windows as the ship leaned sharply and began moving rapidly.
A man exercising on board recounted how he had to physically “hang on” as tables, chairs, and even a fellow passenger in a chair slid across the deck toward the pool.
Cruise Ship The Crown Princess “tilts” after being hit by strong winds Milford Sound New Zealand pic.twitter.com/q5UWOE6Zhk
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Dramatic footage showed kitchen staff struggling to keep their balance, gripping counters as equipment, food, and dishware crashed to the floor.
Shops and display cases were also damaged, with broken glass and merchandise, including designer bags, scattered around.
The ship’s captain informed passengers that a strong wind gust of 86 mph had hit the vessel, causing the temporary tilt.
As a result of the sudden movement, water from the Lido Deck pool overflowed, flooding a dining area. Passengers took shelter in their cabins while crew members worked to clean up the affected areas.
Princess Cruises, the operator of Crown Princess, confirmed that the ship had briefly tilted beyond its usual movement due to strong winds during a course change.
However, they assured that there was no structural damage and that the safety of passengers was never compromised. The company stated that the crew acted quickly to stabilize the vessel, and the voyage continued as scheduled.
Crown Princess was on day three of its 14-day round-trip voyage from Sydney, which is set to conclude on March 8.
The ship, which can accommodate around 3,090 guests and 1,200 crew members, is continuing its planned journey around New Zealand before returning to Australia.
References: NYPost, NDTV