Cruise chaos as luxury liner Anthem of the Seas sails directly into massive storm

The world’s biggest cruise ship is heading back to port after it was caught in a storm so powerful that the captain ordered passengers confined to their cabins for safety, as the ship was smashed by hurricane-force winds and nine-metre waves.

Royal Caribbean’s 168,666-tonne Anthem of the Seas experienced “extreme wind and sea conditions” that were not expected as it was sailing south from New Jersey to Port Canaveral, Florida, according to a Royal Caribbean statement.

The cruise has now been cancelled and the ship has turned around and on Monday afternoon was heading back to New Jersey, where it left from on Saturday.

Four passengers were injured during the event, though none seriously, according to spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez.

Passengers tweeting from Anthem describe hurricane-force winds and giant waves that rocked the vessel wildly, overturning furniture, smashing glassware and collapsing part of a ceiling in a public corridor. Photos posted by passengers show damage in several areas.

“I’m not going to lie: It was truly terrifying,” said Robert Huschka, executive editor of the Detroit Free Press. Huschka is on board the ship with his family.