Royal Caribbean’s Cursed Cruise Ship: Anthem Of The Seas Forced To Turn Back For Second Time This Month

Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, the same ship that earlier this month was battered by a powerful Atlantic storm that forced passengers into lock down for 10 hours and resulted in numerous injuries, has turned back to port again due to a Norovirus outbreak and potential for severe weather in the cruise ship’s planned path. Unlike earlier this month, it appears that the Royal Caribbean staff aren’t taking any unnecessary risks when it comes to potential bad weather, the cruise line took to Twitter to note that the ship would be returning back to Cape Liberty in New Jersey.

The Daily Mail reports that for the second time this month, Royal Caribbean was forced to make the Anthem of the Seas return to port early. This time it is reported that the Anthem of the Seas is experiencing a Norovirus outbreak along with the possibility of severe weather. The Royal Caribbean seems to be taking precautions to ensure another major debacle like the destruction of the ship earlier this month when the captain sailed the ship into hurricane force winds which left the ship in shambles. With the storm encounter fresh on their minds, Anthem of the Seas is turning back for Cape Liberty “immediately.”

#AnthemoftheSeas will head back to Cape Liberty immediately to avoid a severe storm & provide guests with a comfortable journey back home.

— RCLcorp (@RCLcorp) February 27, 2016

Royal Caribbean noted that the return to port will be a “comfortable journey” for guests but did not mention the possible Norovirus outbreak on the ship. Passengers currently on the ship have revealed that the cruise ship captain and cruise ship director have made announcements about a possible Norovirus outbreak on the ship but did not disclose how many people may have been affected by the illness which affects the stomach.

USA Today is reporting the possibility of the Norovirus outbreak, claiming that they received an email from a passenger and executive with the Associated Press who is on the ship with his wife, which noted that “extra sanitary precautions” are underway on the ship to curb the spread of the illness. The AP exec notes that everything “appears normal” on the ship aside from a few extra sanitary issues. He did not disclose any issues with weather.

In fact, a number of passengers have taken to the Royal Caribbean Facebook page to note that they are glad the company is playing it safe with the weather and that everything had been smooth sailing up until this point. Others note that they are not upset about the change in plans as they enjoy time on the ship.

“We are onboard and the weather has been great since we left NJ! This is a 12 night cruise so we were down around Florida very quickly and then to the Caribbean! Hot down here! Calm sailing! Just not taking any chances! Heading back early still gives us 3 days at sea which is the best/most fun part of cruising!! Have done this route many times in the winter and this is the first problem!”

https://www.facebook.com/royalcaribbean/posts/10153865018751397

The positive feedback is likely a sight for sore eyes for the RCL executives, as the company was bashed heavily for the way it handled the Anthem of the Seas issues earlier this month. Passengers complained that they were injured as the ship encountered 30 foot waves as they were tossed across their cruise cabins. Others shared videos of the horror as the ship experienced widespread destruction.

Once back to port, things didn’t get better for many passengers, as Royal Caribbean offered free cruise vouchers but were unable to help passengers with luggage or provide them with alternative routes home upon early arrival.

Do you think Royal Caribbean is being extra cautious considering the events earlier this month or could they simply be trying to get back before a full blown Norovirus outbreak occurs on the already troubled Anthem of the Seas?

[Image via Royal Caribbean]