A dramatic incident occurred aboard the Crown Princess cruise ship, which was on a 14-day journey from Sydney to New Zealand, when it encountered rough waters near Milford Sound. Strong winds caused the ship to experience significant tilting, leading to injuries among both passengers and crew.
Footage captured from inside the ship’s kitchen revealed staff rushing as the ship dramatically leaned. Kitchen hands readied themselves for the next tilt, while passengers in dining areas clung to furniture for stability. One passenger recounted the chaos as tables and chairs skidded across the dining area, with a young girl sliding in her chair toward the pool. The kitchen also faced turmoil as pots and pans flew, and trays of food were upended. Additionally, the onboard pool overflowed onto the decks, further amplifying the disarray.
Accounts from guests illustrated the precariousness of the situation; one described how they were simply walking along when the ship suddenly angled, prompting them to grab hold to avoid falling. In the gift shops, the turbulence caused shelves of perfumes and skincare products to topple, while glass displays shattered and designer bags were scattered across the floor.
In response to the unsettling conditions, Princess Cruises assured that their crew acted swiftly to address the situation, emphasising that at no point was the safety of the vessel compromised. Despite the harrowing experience aboard the Crown Princess, the rapid response from the crew helped to manage the situation effectively.