Anthem of the Seas passenger forced to shell out thousands
A UK passenger on the aborted Anthem of the Seas cruise from New Jersey to the Caribbean says he had to pay more than $3,350 for onward travel and accommodation after the trip was forced to return to port due to bad weather.
Phil Partridge from Rhino Car Hire was part of a group of 14, including his wife and two young daughers, travelling on the ill-fated eight-day cruise.
However, the ship was forced to turn back to New Jersey after it suffered superficial but extensive damage when it sailed into a storm.
After being confined to their cabin for 18 hours, the Partridge family emerged to find shattered glass on decks, balcony screens ripped off, furniture damaged and lifts out of order.
The ship turned back to New Jersey, arriving three days ahead of schedule, but Partridge said operator Royal Caribbean made no provision for onward travel or accommodation.
"We were left with a $350 taxi ride back to NY, plus three nights hotel costs per family (over $3000!). Being Valentines weekend, finding rooms at all was a challenge!" he said.
Partridge also had to buy a second pushchair for one of his daughters for the unexpected time spent in New York and they had to cope with below freezing temperatures in the city when all the clothes they had packed were fit for the balmy Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean has confirmed that all passengers on the Anthem of the Seas will receive a full refund plus 50% off a future cruise.
Partridge said he would also submit a travel insurance claim for his other expenses.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt