A recent incident aboard the Crown Princess cruise ship near Milford Sound has left 16 passengers injured. Martin Wise, who was dining on the sixth floor, described the moment when the ship faced strong winds, which led it to tilt and rise rapidly, giving diners a shocking view of the tumultuous sea outside. He recounted how the sudden shift caused cups, glasses, and plates to fly around the restaurant as a loud crash echoed from the kitchen.
The unsettling event lasted approximately 40 seconds, during which Wise noted that the ship was hit by 75-knot winds, causing it to tilt by 14 degrees and temporarily increase its speed. “On a frightening scale, I’d put it at 8.5 to 10,” Wise remarked, stating that this was their seventh cruise with Princess and noted they had never encountered anything like it before. Even days later, parts of the restaurant’s carpet were still damp from the aftermath.
Despite the chaotic scene, the ship—part of a 14-day round trip from Sydney to New Zealand—continued on its journey. The incident reportedly resulted in minor injuries to 13 passengers and three crew members, but no structural damage was reported. Princess Cruises confirmed that the ship briefly tilted beyond its normal movement due to strong winds but reassured that the crew acted swiftly to stabilise the situation, and overall safety wasn’t compromised.
They also noted a small amount of water from the Lido Deck pool briefly entered the Horizons food court, but the area was promptly cleaned and reopened. While the experience was harrowing, Wise affirmed it would not deter them from cruising in the future.