Rogue 70-foot wave batters Bahamas cruise ship 

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

NEW YORK, USA: Some 2,200 shaken and sea-sick passengers steamed back to New York City Monday after a terrifying 70-foot rogue wave slammed their ship, sailing for New York from Miami and the Bahamas.

Late Friday, a storm in the Caribbean began tossing the 1,000-foot-long "Norwegian Dawn" like a cork.

"We had no idea we'd have almost 48 hours of 40-foot swells," said Kathleen Riccardi, 31, told the New York Daily News. "I called my mother from the boat and told her I loved her because I wasn't sure I'd ever see her again."

Dawn Lepore, 47, said she felt the roar of the wave that smashed windows as high as the ship's 10th floor Sunday morning.

At least four passengers were injured and 62 cabins were flooded when the huge wave crashed aboard.

The ship diverted its path from New York and docked at Charleston, South Carolina, for minor repairs and damage assessment. It set out again Sunday night for New York.

The Norwegian Cruise Line said passengers would receive partial refunds or vouchers for future cruises.

"The safety and integrity of the ship was in no way compromised by this incident," the company said in a statement.

Norwegian Cruise Lines is owned by Malaysian cruise and casino operator Genting Group.

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