Guests have praised the captain and crew after the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ship Balmoral was caught in a severe storm while returning to the UK.

Balmoral was on its way back to Southampton from Norway on Thursday when it was hit by the Force 11 gale.

Cruise Hive said several cabins were damaged and several guests were injured in the storm, which triggered windspeeds exceeding 50 knots and wave heights of 9 to 14 metres.

Videos posted online showed waves hitting the ship.  

In a post on social media on Thursday, the cruise line said: “Earlier today while sailing back from Norway, Balmoral was caught in some exceptional weather conditions in the North Sea.

“During this time, she encountered some significant waves which led to the damage of a small number of cabins on board.”

Balmoral arrived in Dover on Friday and did not sail back to the ship’s Southampton home port. Instead, buses were used to transport disembarking guests to Southampton and to bring guests joining the next cruise to Dover.  

One guest was taken to hospital after the ship arrived at Dover, while other passengers reported sprains and broken bones, Cruise Hive added.

Guests took to social media to praise the crew, with one saying: “We are currently on Balmoral and would like to thank the captain and all the crew for their continued professionalism and care for all the guests under very difficult circumstances.”

Travel Gossip has approached Fred. Olsen for a comment.