I received the following information from a regular reader of this blog, who wishes to remain anonymous. 

"Today’s Bild (translates to "Picture", Germany’s largest circulation daily) reports cruise ship Aida Prima was hit by 23 ft waves in the North Sea as it was returning to home port Hamburg on Friday evening from a week-long European itinerary.

All passengers were ordered back to their cabins. Ship is now safely back in port in Hamburg. Per the article, Aida cruise line confirmed the incident, including injuries to ‘three passengers, ‘two bruises and a bone fracture.’

Per the article, The Elbe (river connecting Hamburg to the North Sea) had been closed in the hurricane for ships – but the authorities made an exception for the Aida Prima. ‘She was allowed to enter and reached the berth at the cruise terminal Steinwerder at 7.45 am. The resulting material damage could not be quantified today.’

The Bild story with stills and video is here, entitled ‘Our chaos night on the Aida.’

In the video, it appears that the ship rocked so violently that the chest-high glass barrier around the bar pool broke, sending water cascading onto deck 15. Furniture is being tossed as passengers and crew make their way across the deck."

Many thanks to the anonymous reader for the information.  You can watch the video on our Facebook page.  

Photo credit: Bild