Md. Man Doesn't Understand Why Cruise Captain Disregarded Weather Warnings

BETHESDA, Md. (WJZ) -- Cruise ship passengers who weathered a monster storm at sea are due back on land Wednesday morning. Now many are questioning why Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas didn't heed high wind warnings and veer off course.

Thirty-foot waves battered Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas and whipped chairs off its deck. Pictures taken aboard the massive ship reveal ceiling damage, overturned furniture and a destroyed kitchen.

"You could hear the waves crashing against the hull, metal twisting and banging all night long. It was scary," said passenger Peter Aloupis. "We are lucky to be alive."

Aloupis, from Bethesda, says he can't understand why the ship didn't delay its departure or steer clear of the storm.

"The decision-making of the captain to put us at risk and I hope that gets addressed with Royal Caribbean, that this never happens to anyone again," he said.

The nearly 200,000-ton liner, which launched last year, is one of the largest vessels of its kind.

In a statement, the Royal Caribbean said the "wind speeds" the ship endured were "higher than what was forecasted."

"When the storm is brewing, you don't go out of port," said Senator Bill Nelson.

Florida Senator Bill Nelson criticized Royal Caribbean's decision to go forward with the trip despite the weather conditions and called on the NTSB to investigate the incident.

"It was forecast for days, so why in the world would a cruise ship with thousands of passengers go sailing right into it?" he said.

Four passengers were injured during the storm, though none seriously.

All the passengers will receive a full refund, along with a voucher for 50% off a future cruise.