Cruising is often associated with calm seas and carefree vacations, but when Mother Nature intervenes, even the largest ships can find themselves at the mercy of the elements.
Over the years, several Royal Caribbean ships have made headlines after being caught in powerful storms, from hurricane-force winds in the Atlantic to unexpected squalls near Europe.
While cruise ships are designed to withstand rough conditions, these incidents highlight the scary reality that some cruisers face during stormy weather. For this reason, cruise lines will typically alter itineraries to avoid storms and keep the vessel safe. However, even with the best forecasting tools and a dedicated meteorologist, unexpected incidents can still occur.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most memorable and dramatic times Royal Caribbean cruises were caught in storms over the years.
1. Ovation of the Seas: Typhoon Halong in Asia (October 2025)
On October 9 2025, Ovation of the Seas was scheduled to arrive in Yokohama (Tokyo) after a 16-night transpacific voyage from Los Angeles. Due to the approach of Typhoon Halong off Japan’s southern coast, the ship’s arrival was delayed by two days, as the Port of Tokyo was closed.
The subsequent sailing, a planned 11-night route from Tokyo to Singapore, was shortened to 9 nights, with at least two ports cancelled (including Nagasaki, Japan and Jeju Island, South Korea) to make up for the delay.
Royal Caribbean stated that guest and crew safety was the “top priority” and cited the ship’s ability to navigate away from inclement weather as a reason for the delay.
2. Symphony of the Seas: Nor’easter strands ship in New Jersey (October 2025)
In October 2025, Symphony of the Seas was forced to remain docked at Cape Liberty for several days after a powerful nor’easter brought dangerous winds and rough seas along the East Coast.
The storm closed the Port of New York and New Jersey, leaving guests stuck onboard the ship. This prompted Royal Caribbean to cancel all but one port on the 7-night Bahamas itinerary. Instead of heading south, the ship spent its first few days stationary in New Jersey, with guests allowed to disembark and explore New York City while waiting for conditions to improve.
3. Vision of the Seas: Bermuda rough wave (September 2025)
During a September 20, 2025, sailing from Baltimore to Bermuda, Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas was struck by a rough wave that caused the ship to suddenly list.
Passengers captured the moment on TikTok, showing dishes, glasses, and trays of food sliding across the Windjammer buffet as guests tried to steady themselves. The impact scared many onboard, with reports of elderly passengers falling and children crying, though no injuries were confirmed.
Crew members quickly jumped into action, closing off affected areas, cleaning up the damage, and reopening food service within about 20 minutes. While modern ships like Vision of the Seas are equipped with stabilizers, sudden swells can still cause dramatic jolts, particularly on smaller, older vessels.
4. Quantum of the Seas: Alaska tsunami alert (July 2025)
In July 2025, A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered a tsunami watch for Southeast Alaska while Quantum of the Seas was sailing nearby in Alaska.
Families described “frantic” scenes as news spread onboard. Parents tried to calm their children, passengers anxiously checked updates, and conversations buzzed with concern. The captain reassured guests that the ship’s deep-water position was the safest possible place to be and confirmed that Royal Caribbean was in constant communication with the U.S. Coast Guard.
The watch was lifted after several hours without any tsunami materializing, but the tense episode left many guests shaken. For others, it became a unique and unforgettable story to tell about their Alaska cruise.
5. Explorer of the Seas: Canary Islands (November 2024)
In late 2024, Explorer of the Seas found itself in a terrifying situation off the Canary Islands. While sailing near Tenerife, the ship was hit by hurricane-force winds over 85 mph combined with massive swells that caused it to list sharply, some reports estimated between 40–45 degrees.
Passengers described sheer panic onboard. Glassware and bottles shattered in bars, furniture skidded across floors, and a grand piano even slid across a lounge. Some guests sent emotional goodbye messages to loved ones, convinced the ship might not recover from the tilt.
The listing lasted only minutes, but the damage onboard was extensive. One passenger sustained injuries and was taken ashore when the ship diverted to Las Palmas for medical care. After stabilization and safety inspections, Explorer of the Seas resumed its itinerary, but passengers called it one of the scariest experiences of their lives.
6. Odyssey of the Seas: Rough transatlantic crossing (November 2024)
Around the same time, Odyssey of the Seas faced its own battle with Mother Nature while repositioning from Europe to the U.S.
The ship encountered relentless North Atlantic storms, with winds over 50 knots and waves topping 20 feet. Though it wasn’t as dramatic as Explorer of the Seas’ sudden squall, passengers reported feeling the ship’s constant rolling for days.
Glassware toppled, furniture tipped, and outdoor decks were off-limits as the crew worked to secure the vessel. Many guests suffered seasickness, and some described the experience as “an endurance test” rather than a vacation.
Still, Odyssey’s storm wasn’t unprecedented, and it reminded many seasoned cruisers of how intense a transatlantic crossing can be during the winter season.
7. Anthem of the Seas: Atlantic storm (February 2016)
In early 2016, Anthem of the Seas made headlines when it sailed straight into a powerful Atlantic storm that many argued should have been avoided altogether.
The ship departed Cape Liberty, New Jersey, on what was supposed to be a relaxing cruise to the Bahamas, but soon found itself in the path of hurricane-force winds reaching 120 mph and waves towering 30 feet high.
Passengers described terrifying scenes as the ship heeled dramatically, sending furniture sliding across cabins and public spaces. Ceiling panels came loose, dishes shattered, and guests were ordered to stay confined to their cabins for safety. Social media lit up with videos showing the chaos onboard, and several passengers compared the experience to “a scene from Titanic.”
After enduring hours of extreme conditions, Royal Caribbean decided to turn the ship around and cut the sailing short. The incident sparked backlash and prompted an investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board. Royal Caribbean later apologized, admitting it had underestimated the storm’s severity and pledging to improve weather-monitoring protocols.
8. Grandeur of the Seas: Fire and storm (May 2013)
Though not purely storm-related, Grandeur of the Seas faced a frightening combination of emergencies in 2013.
After a fire broke out in the ship’s aft mooring area while sailing in the Bahamas, the vessel had to contend with rough seas during its diversion to Freeport.
While the fire was extinguished and no serious injuries occurred, passengers described a harrowing night as high winds and swells complicated evacuation efforts. It remains one of Royal Caribbean’s most dramatic mid-cruise emergencies.
9. Monarch of the Seas: Reef incident (December 1998)
In December 1998, Monarch of the Seas struck a reef near St. Maarten while departing port, tearing two large holes in its hull. The collision caused significant flooding in several watertight compartments, but the ship’s crew managed to control the situation and safely evacuate passengers.
Thanks to quick action by the crew, no one was injured, and all passengers were returned safely to shore. However, the ship was heavily damaged and required extensive repairs. The incident drew widespread attention and prompted investigations into navigational errors that led to the grounding.
After repairs, Monarch of the Seas returned to service, but the event remains one of Royal Caribbean’s most notable maritime accidents of the late 1990s.
