Royal Caribbean Passenger Vows to Never Cruise Again After Rough Seas Caused by Hurricane Milton

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A Mississippi woman who sailed on Royal Caribbean cruise ship Harmony of the Seas has vowed never to set sail again after encountering rough seas caused by Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico.

According to news reports, Kim Eberhardt, a passenger on the ship's Sunday departure from Galveston, described the harrowing experience as the vessel attempted to navigate around the powerful storm.

"It was just rocky. It was rough rocky," she said, recounting the severe turbulence and large waves that battered the ship.

As the hurricane intensified, Royal Caribbean canceled planned stops in Honduras and Costa Maya, much to the disappointment of passengers.

Eberhardt described watching the ship struggle to maintain course, saying,

"You can see them swerving all around in the water trying to like — you know — then you can see they turned around. Well, I must have missed the part that he was just killing time."

In response to the disruptions, Royal Caribbean announced it would compensate passengers with on-board credits and refunds for the missed destinations.

"We will provide you with a refund for your cruise fare paid as an on-board credit," read part of the cruise line's statement. Any remaining refundable amounts would be reimbursed at the end of the trip.

Despite now sailing toward calmer waters in Cozumel, Eberhardt remains shaken by the experience.

"We have no desire. I just feel like at this point — I will fly somewhere," she said, expressing her decision to forgo future cruises.

The Harmony of the Seas is expected to return to port in Galveston on Saturday.

It is one of several ships that have had to alter their course due to Hurricane Milton, highlighting the challenges faced by cruise lines when navigating through severe weather conditions.