Forty-four passengers on Rhapsody of the Seas were forced to abandon their cruise after a large wave broke windows and flooded cabins early in the morning of 25 April, the first of a nine-night cuise in the Mediterranean.
The ship left Barcelona and encountered rough seas on the way to Corsica. Between 0400 and 0500 several windows were broken and some cabins were flooded, but the situation was under control. Some people were forced to sleep in a bar and lounge.
According to a Royal Caribbean statement, five cabin windows on the third deck were broken, resulting in flooding. Six rooms were damaged, and carpeting in nearby hallways and rooms on deck three were soaked by water.
The ship docked in the Corsican port of Ajaccio as scheduled where repairs, including the replacement of all windows, were undertaken. However, because of the soaked flooring, which could not be immediately replaced without causing great inconvenience, 45 passengers were relocated to other cabins. Another 44 passengers departed the ship in Corsica.
All affected passengers received a full refund and a future cruise certificate worth the total amount of the cruise fare they paid for their sailing. Royal Caribbean arranged and paid for all accommodations and travel costs for those who left the ship.
Rhapsody of the Seas departed six hours late, but is expected to be on schedule for the remainder of the sailing.
