Royal Caribbean Defends Itself, but Quietly

Under criticism for deciding to sail into stormy weather, Royal Caribbean is remaining quiet about how the decision actually was made.  

In a response to the ongoing pressure, Royal sent a statement to USA TODAY, suggesting the “extreme wind and sea conditions” that hit as the ship sailed south were unexpected, and higher than what was forecast. 

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) has called for a full investigation into why Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas was sailing into hurricane-force winds and 30-foot-high waves on Sunday. He has asked the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate. 
 
The Anthem’s captain, Claus Andre Andersen, assured the ship’s guests in a video message on Monday that the weather wasn’t in line with what was forecast. In the end, though, he said the winds were a lot “stronger than what it was forecast” and that “in eight or nine hours, [the storm] goes from being nothing to a full-blown storm.”  
 
“What we experienced yesterday, that was something very special,” he told cruisers. “I honestly have not seen a low pressure that was not forecast, anything near what we actually experienced.” 

Calls to the cruise company were not returned by press time today.

The background
After a winter storm caused chaotic conditions onboard on Sunday, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas will finally return to Cape Liberty later today, completing a harrowing four-day journey for the 4,529 passengers and 1,616 crew members on board.  
 
The Anthem was hit with 30-foot-high waves and hurricane-force winds on the first day of its journey from Cape Liberty, NJ, to Port Canaveral, FL, on Sunday. The ship’s captain told all guests to stay in their staterooms until the weather improved and offered complimentary in-room movies and minibar access. 

But the ensuing damage, and more storms forecast over the next few days, forced the ship to cancel its voyage and offer passengers a full refund plus a cruise certificate worth 50% off for another time.  

Royal Caribbean says the ship is still seaworthy and the decision was only made due to an already “uncomfortable ride” for customers, but photos on social media showed major damage. Passengers reported seeing deck chairs and other items picked up and dropped by the wind, glass on the pool deck, and waves reaching the ship’s fifth deck promenade.  
 
Still, the company said, only four passengers were injured and none seriously.