A couple has gone viral on Instagram after sharing their “traumatising” experience onboard a cruise while celebrating their wedding anniversary.
Alisha and Nate Downey, both 31, decided to book themselves onto a Royal Caribbean cruise for their fifth year as a married couple after hearing rave reviews from friends and family.
However, little did the couple know that their five-day dream holiday –which reportedly cost $3,294, (£2,590) – would turn into a nightmare stay when a storm hit.
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Taking to social media, a shocking video, updated last week, shows the choppy weather battering the ship, has gathered over 18.9m views and 203,000 likes so far (@leesh .downey_).
“We could see from our balcony that the overcast was getting worse, water was becoming very choppy, and looking toward the direction we were headed,” Alisha, a dental assistant from Colorado, US, told What’s The Jam.
“Very quickly the weather became worse, rain pouring down, the ship rocking.
“Around this time is when I believe an announcement was made that we were in a storm and to ‘find sanctuary’.
“Soon our room was taking on water, coming under our balcony door.
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“A wine glass slid off the vanity and shattered, all the stuff came falling off.
“So we went downstairs to see what was going on and there was broken glass everywhere.
“Bars were closed as liquor bottles and glasses had also broken.
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“We even saw women wearing their life jackets coming up the stairs from lower decks… people were scared.
“And by that point, there was about three feet of water in our room.”
The cruise left Galveston, Texas, on 22 January, planning to head to Costa Maya, Mexico, then Cozumel, before making its way back to Galveston five days later.
Unfortunately, cruise staff announced the ship would not be able to port in Costa Maya as it was too dangerous and would head straight to Cozumel instead.
On the way back, two thunderstorms hit.
While social media users have been sympathetic to the couple’s unfortunate situation, many have pointed out the obvious – that they travelled during hurricane season.
Jack said: “You just unfortunately went during a bad time, try again, not during hurricane season.”
Niya wrote: “Try again in the summer! Much better.”
Rigo commented: “Must of went during hurricane season.”
“Stay off the boats during hurricane season,” said Terrance.
Alisha and Nate, a sales manager, eventually arrived safely at home.
However, they were not happy with the experience or the money spent.
Alisha added: “It would’ve been worth it to us if we had actually had an enjoyable vacation.
“Instead we paid a lot of money to stress away from home.
“And honestly had a somewhat traumatising experience.
“All they’ve offered us is 20% off our next cruise.”
Jam Press has reached out to Royal Caribbean cruises for comment.
