Get All Access for $5/mo

'Traumatized': Horrifying Video Footage Shows Carnival Cruise Ship Get Rocked By Massive Storm The Carnival Sunshine was headed back to Charleston, South Carolina from the Bahamas.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

It was a vacationer's worst nightmare come true after a Carnival Cruise ship battled a massive storm off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina over the holiday weekend.

"Carnival Sunshine's return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday," Carnival explained in a statement per CNN.  "The weather's prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship's arrival on Sunday and as a result, the next voyage's embarkation was also delayed."

Passengers onboard the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship took to social media to share their harrowing experiences as they made their way back from The Bahamas.

In one vivid clip, passengers struggle to keep their door shut as the "90 mph wind" kept throwing it open, leaving the crew and frightened guests to use a bathrobe to try to pull the door shut.

@line_line2108 #carnivalcruise #carnivalsunshine #cruisetok #cruiselife? #carnivalcruiseline #charlestonsc ♬ original sound - line_line2108

In another video that's been viewed over 7.6 million times, a passenger named Aeryn shows how rough the seas were, with water coming over the deck and flooding the ship.

@aerynvictoriah Carnival Sunshine Storm 2023 :; This was so scary for all of us on board. Never thought I would experience such a thing #CARNIVAL #carnivalcruise #carnivalsunshine #storm #FYP #CapCut ♬ Creepy and simple horror background music(1070744) - howlingindicator

"Are you traumatized, cause I would be," one commenter said. "That's one of my biggest fears unlocked."

"It's giving Titanic," another said, trying to make light of the situation.

One passenger claimed via TikTok that cruise-goers were left "high and dry" and were not given updates about the storm and its strength until 7:40 a.m. Saturday morning.

"We were left blind for almost 15 hours," he said.

The Carnival Sunshine can fit just over 3,000 guests with 1,040 crew members.

Five-day cruises from Charleston to the Bahamas start at an average of $349 per person.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

These Companies Offer the Best Work-Life Balance, According to Employees

The ranking is based on Glassdoor ratings and reviews.

Leadership

Why Your AI Strategy Will Fail Without the Right Talent in Place

Using fractional AI experts through specialized platforms allows companies to access top talent cost-effectively, drive innovation and scale agile strategies for growth.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

5 Trends Every American Small Business Owner Needs to Watch in 2016

Technology will continue to cost less but borrowing is becoming more expensive. Don't expect much substantial from Washington in an election year.

Business News

Here's What the CPI Report Means for Your Wallet, According to JPMorgan and EY Experts

Most experts agree that there will be another rate cut next week.