Damaged cruise ship on way back to New Jersey port

A cruise ship that suffered minor damage as it sailed through a storm, sending passengers to their cabins overnight, will turn around and head back to its home port of Cape Liberty, New Jersey, instead of continuing on its way to Cape Canaveral, Florida, according to Royal Caribbean officials.

Royal Caribbean announced the news on its corporate Twitter account Monday. Passengers said the storm started midafternoon Sunday, and the captain of the ship Anthem of the Seas ordered them to their staterooms for their safety.

The cruise line said in its tweets that the decision was made for guests’ comfort because of weather forecasts that would have affected the ship’s itinerary.

The tweets said guests will receive full refunds and certificates toward a future cruise.

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The cruise line also tweeted: “We appreciate our guests’ patience and cooperation. We know it was tough day on Sunday.”

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