Anthem Of The Seas, Damaged Ship Returns

© Julie Jacobson

Storm-battered cruise ship returns to New Jersey homeport - A cruise ship battered by a major storm in the Atlantic Ocean has returned to its New Jersey port.
Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas docked at Bayonne's Cape Liberty shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday, its passengers cheering. It was escorted by two tugboats and a Coast Guard vessel.

The ship was carrying 4,500 passengers and 1,600 crew members when it departed Saturday on a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas. But the 1,141-foot vessel sailed into a major winter storm Sunday.

Powerful winds and waves as high as 30 feet tossed the vessel around. Royal Caribbean says four passengers reported minor injuries and the ship sustained some damage to its public areas and staterooms.

Passengers will get a full refund and a certificate toward 50 percent off a future cruise.