Nightmare vacation: Powerful storm floods Carnival cruise ship

A Carnival cruise ship was caught in the middle of a powerful storm over the weekend, flooding several decks and causing chaos on board. 

The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship was returning to the U.S. from the Bahamas along the southeastern coast of the country on Saturday when it encountered large waves, heavy rains, and strong winds.

“After 14 hours of high winds, rain, and massive waves. The ship took a hit from a wave that sounded like the ship split in two,” posted a passenger on Twitter. 

The torrential rains and rough waves caused significant flooding throughout the ship and left passengers sick and nauseous from the constant rocking.

"You could smell people being sick walking down the halls," one passenger told The Daily Mail.

Videos posted on social media by passengers and crew showed the damage that the storm caused on board. One video shows the hallways of a lower deck filled with a few inches of water and debris floating around. 

The aftermath aboard Carnival Sunshine after a severe storm.
The crew from Deck 0-4 evacuated to the theater, and anywhere they could rest… the crew bar destroyed. pic.twitter.com/MqsDJYvrSG

— Crew Center (@CrewCenter) May 28, 2023

Another video posted by a passenger shows the interior of his room as it rocks with the waves. The drawers and doors in the room can be seen opening and closing. 

“This was on Deck 12 at 11:38 p.m. We were in the piano bar right before when 30+ bottles of liquor jumped off of the bar and broke. We were told to leave the piano bar as there was liquor running across the floor,” said the post.

@CarnivalCruise #carnivalsunshine. This was on Deck 12 at 11:38pm. We were in the piano bar right before when 30+ bottles of liquor jumped off of the bar and broke. We were told to leave the piano bar as there was liquor running across the floor. pic.twitter.com/2t1OLwY4go

— FlyersCaptain™®© (@flyerscaptain) May 29, 2023

The storm and rough seas delayed the ship's return to a port in Charleston by about nine hours, the cruise line said in a statement. 

"The weather's prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship's arrival and as a result, the next voyage's embarkation was also delayed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests. Carnival Sunshine is now sailing on its next cruise," the statement read.