Anthem Of Seas Returns Early Again: Storm Forecast, Virus Reported Aboard Luxury Cruise

Bayonne, NJ - The Anthem of the Seas – a luxury cruise liner that made headlines after it sailed into a winter storm with 30-foot waves and cut its passengers’ vacations short with a retreat back to Bayonne – is headed home early again.

Royal Caribbean Cruises announced on Saturday that a decision was made to have the 4,180 passenger ship return to its port of origin in Bayonne due to a “large storm of the coast of Cape Hatteras.”

“Anthem of the Seas will head back to Cape Liberty immediately to avoid a severe storm & provide guests with a comfortable journey back home,” the company stated on a social media post. “We want to be extra cautious when it comes to weather in the area.”

A run through the same area earlier this month resulted in a seasick voyage for passengers when the ship hit a winter storm and encountered 30-foot waves and 74-mph winds.

Four passengers suffered injuries during the cruise, according to Royal Caribbean.

• See related article: WATCH: Cruise Ship Battered During Storm, 4 Injured

Two of the passengers aboard that cruise have since filed lawsuits against Royal Caribbean.

• See related article: Horror Cruise Spawns Passenger Lawsuits: Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas Caught In Storm

ANOTHER TURNAROUND, NOROVIRUS

“Anthem of the Seas is returning early because of severe forecast storm,” Royal Caribbean stated on a Monday social media update. “[The] captain followed our new storm avoidance policy and consulted with experts.”

“Anthem of the Seas’ sail home has been smooth,” the company added. “Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our guests and crew.”

But the relative “smoothness” of some passengers’ trip may be up for debate.

“Some guests have experienced norovirus symptoms,” the company stated in a separate announcement on Monday morning.

About “10 per day from 6,000 total population” have experienced symptoms, Royal Caribbean stated, adding that the illness “didn’t affect the decision to return.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a Norovirus can be transmitted via an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

“The virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed (acute gastroenteritis). This leads you to have stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea and to throw up,” the CDC states on its website. “Anyone can be infected with norovirus and get sick. Also, you can have norovirus illness many times in your life.”

Norovirus illness can be serious, especially for young children and older adults, the CDC states.

According to the CDC, Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. Each year, it causes 19 to 21 million illnesses and contributes to 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570 to 800 deaths.

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