PASSENGERS on a cruise ship endured a nightmare voyage after sailing directly into a storm hammering the South Carolina coast.

Some of those on board the Carnival Sunshine were evacuated from their rooms after the ship flooded and had extensive interior damage due to the storm.

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Footage showed flooded decks, toppled furniture and doors, and broken pipes.

The National Weather Service had warned of “treacherous” boating conditions as a low-pressure system moved up the coast.

However, rather than waiting it out, passengers said that on Friday evening, the ship sailed right into the middle of the storm in what was described as a “nightmare.”

Passenger Sharon Tutrone tweeted: “We didn’t wait it out. We sailed right into it and spent 11 hours pitching, diving, and rolling.

“We were surrounded by lightning and the ship took a huge hit by a wave and sounded like it split in two.

“After 14 hours of high winds, rain, and massive waves.”

Another added: “It was a rough night. I was in the piano bar when the worst hit and 30-40 bottles of liquor jumped off the wall.

“We were told to exit when the floor was covered by running liquor.”

A few minor injuries were reported and people were sick from the pitching of the boat in the storm.

The majority of the trip was enjoyable, according to passengers, who were able to explore parts of the Bahamas.

However, weather conditions worsened on Friday, and by 7pm that night, the ship was hitting stormy waters.

Passenger Daniel Taylor, who went to see a show in the Liquid Lounge, told the Daily Mail: “The sound of us crashing into the swells could be heard over the music playing.

“Stage lights mounted on the ceiling began to shake, the disco ball started swinging and the LED wall on the stage began rolling side by side on its own.”

By 8pm, areas were being closed off and all passengers were evacuated off the public decks.

Around 11pm that evening, 80mph winds were battering the ship.

Taylor said: “The captain turned the ship from sailing northwest toward Charleston to head northeast heading directly into the eye of the storm.”

He added that in the early hours of Saturday morning, some of the swells were between 10 and 20 feet and crews were wearing life jackets.

By 7:30am on Saturday, those on board were finally given an update by the cruise director saying that they were outside Charleston harbor but unable to dock as planned.

The ship eventually docked around 5:30pm that evening.

One Twitter user said: “The 5% of me that said one day I’ll take a cruise is now a negative 16373773 after seeing all the videos of the Carnival Sunshine Cruise.”

In a statement to WCIV, a spokesperson for Carnival said: “Carnival Sunshine’s return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday.

“Guests on board the ship were safe. Our medical staff helped a small number of guests and crew members who needed minor assistance.

“The weather’s prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship’s arrival on Sunday, and as a result, the next voyage’s embarkation was also delayed.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests.”

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