Storm that damaged cruise ship was not expected to be so severe, Royal Caribbean says

BAYONNE, N.J. — A cruise ship returned early to its New Jersey port Wednesday after being battered by a major storm in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Anthem of the Seas arrived in Bayonne, New Jersey at about 9 p.m.

The National Weather Service warned the cruise ship’s owner, Royal Caribbean, that storms and foul weather could affect the planned voyage.

The ship continued as scheduled Saturday. The next day, it encountered a storm and was buffeted by 30-foot waves and winds as strong as a Category 2 hurricane.

The ship, which left from the same port on Saturday and was due to head out on a week-long cruise to the Bahamas, was supposed to arrive sooner.

Coast Guard officials were on hand to inspect the ship to determine the extent of the damage from the rough seas.

Channel 9’s Jeff Levkulich spoke to the parents of one of the passengers, who lives in Cocoa.

They were elated when they heard their son and daughter-in-law’s cruise ship pulled into the port.

“We are anxious to hear from them. He said they would call us in the morning,” said Linda Timko.

Timko’s son, Cyril, and his wife, Dawn, were on the ship when it hit rough weather on Sunday.

The ship was carrying 4,500 passengers and 1,600 crew members when it departed Saturday on a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean says four passengers reported minor injuries and the ship sustained some damage to its public areas and staterooms.

The company said the storm was worse than it was forecast to be.

Passengers will get a full refund and a certificate toward 50 percent off a future cruise.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group