A passenger's view from Oasis of the Seas shows the ship pushing through large Atlantic swells while white water breaks over the bow. It is the sort of footage that makes even regular cruisers stop scrolling.
What was happening offshore?
The National Weather Service issued a storm warning for nearby waters on September 26, forecasting northeast winds of 40 to 50 knots, gusts up to 60 knots, and seas of 14 to 19 feet in the stated forecast area. Those numbers describe a weather forecast for a marine zone, not a measurement at the exact position of Oasis of the Seas.
As the camera rises and falls with the ship, the horizon disappears behind waves and then comes back into view. That movement conveys how unsettled the ride felt; it does not establish that the bow was submerged or that the ship was in danger.
Was it a hurricane cruise?
No. Some viewers use “hurricane cruise” to describe any dramatic seas, but this footage is associated with a powerful nor’easter. The distinction matters when sharing a clip or making claims about a ship's route and the conditions it encountered.
In my video I guessed the swells looked roughly 15 to 25 feet and was skeptical of claims they reached 30 or 40 feet. That was my visual impression, not a measured wave height. Camera position, the ship's own movement, and perspective make precision impossible from a short clip. The weather warning is useful context, but it is not a ruler for any individual wave in the video.
My take as a cruiser
This is a striking look at what a large ship can encounter on an exposed stretch of ocean. It also reminds me that being on a big ship does not guarantee a smooth ride. If seas are rough, follow the crew's directions, secure loose items, and use handrails when moving around the ship.
I have experienced seas I estimated at around 25 to 28 feet on Norwegian Jewel, and I would not choose that ride again. When I talk about a transatlantic crossing, footage like this is exactly why Lori says no. I understand the passengers who might enjoy a rough-weather adventure, but it is not my idea of a relaxing cruise.
The footage deserves to be seen with its context intact. Credit the person who captured it, describe the storm accurately, and let the images speak without turning an uncomfortable crossing into an unsupported claim of a hurricane or an emergency.
Sources: Passenger footage credited to Heather Sosnosky on Facebook; National Weather Service marine storm warning, September 26, 2026.
Your turn