Cruise & Cruise Line

Storm, Norovirus Force Anthem of the Seas to Turn Around

Image: PHOTO: Anthem of the Seas at sea. (Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)
Image: PHOTO: Anthem of the Seas at sea. (Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)
Amy Coyne Bredeson
by Amy Coyne Bredeson
Last updated: 6:39 PM ET, Sun February 28, 2016

Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Just a few weeks after Anthem of the Seas was damaged in a violent storm, the ship had to turn around and head back to home port due to more bad weather, ABC News reported.

Royal Caribbean International tweeted on Saturday that the Anthem of the Seas would immediately head back to Cape Liberty in New Jersey "to avoid a severe storm and provide guests with a comfortable journey back home."

READ MORE:Anthem of the Seas Sails Again

"On a recent sailing, Anthem of the Seas experienced bad weather that was much worse than forecast; therefore, we want to be extra cautious about our (guests') safety and comfort when it comes to weather in the area," cruise line spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez wrote in an email to WNBC-TV in New York City. "That is why we have decided to head back to Cape Liberty immediately so that we can stay a safe distance from the storm."

But the storm wasn't the only thing standing in the way of the latest cruise. There was also a norovirus outbreak aboard the Anthem of the Seas, ABC said.

READ MORE:Man Sues Royal Caribbean for Negligence in Storm

An executive with The Associated Press, John Turell, who was aboard the ship, wrote in an email that it was unclear how many people had been affected by the illness.

"Sanitation levels on the ship have been boosted," Turell said. "(Ship) workers are scurrying around like ants, scrubbing down handrails, tables and any other surfaces that can be washed."


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Amy Coyne Bredeson

Amy Coyne Bredeson

Amy Coyne Bredeson is a freelance writer and editor in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. She has worked in journalism for the...

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