Cruise ship sails into Cyclone Marcia 'danger zone' (video)
Video has emerged of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship experiencing the effects of Cyclone Marcia.
The Rhapsody of the Seas was spotted entering the 'danger zone' of the storm that hit Queensland, Australia, on Friday, reports news.com.au.
It appeared to escape the brunt of it, but did feel some effects, with very choppy sea conditions, chairs strewn across the deck, the pool bubbling over, and the top level of the ship in darkness.
Passengers have been chatting about the conditions on a forum on the Cruise Critic website.
One said: "The ship was a little rocky earlier this morning and seasickness bags had been placed at strategic places around the ship such as all stairwells, but frankly, I was aboard Celebrity Solstice's cruise to New Zealand from Sydney a couple of weeks ago, and our crossing of the Tasman Sea seemed rougher than what Rhapsody was experiencing earlier.
"Nonetheless, all outdoor activities have been cancelled and passengers in veranda cabins have been instructed to keep their doors to the verandas closed and locked."
Another user, Trekker954, said the storm had been rough, and had meant they would miss a private tour of the Great Barrier Reef, a "highlight" of their trip.
However, he praised the captain for a "good job". He wrote: "The Rhapsody was most certainly in the storm. While I'm sure some cruisers have endured worse storms this was rough sailing for a couple of days. It was also pitch black and relentless downpours. There are quite a few maps showing us "in it."
"All is very calm now with blue skies. The pool deck has reopened and life for those of us with balconies have resumed to normal.
"The downside for many of us who have private tours to the Great Barrier reef, including us, can't meet the departure time deadline since we are getting in late. At least reef magic said they would refund us our money. But we considered this tour was to be a highlight of our trip. At least everyone is safe. Our American captain did a good job.."
The ship departed Sydney on 17 February for an 11-night cruise to Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, carrying 2094 guests and 781 crew members.
A Royal Caribbean spokesman told news.com.au that the captain avoided the worst of the storm by reducing speed and altering course to the east of it.
He said there had been a few hours of "rougher than usual" seas on Friday, adding: "The ship arrived safely at her scheduled port of call at Cairns on Saturday 21 February 2015, a little over an hour later than scheduled."
Meanwhile, last week it was reported that Cyclone Marcia was responsible for washing a shark up on a beach in Brisbane, as well as knocking out power to thousands and tearing roofs off houses.
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