Cruise Ship That Was Damaged In Storm Turns Around Again

BAYONNE, N.J. (AP) — A norovirus outbreak and a possible severe storm have ended the most recent voyage of a cruise ship that was battered by a major storm earlier this month.

Royal Caribbean announced on Twitter on Saturday that the Anthem of the Seas ship would return to its home port in Bayonne, New Jersey, to "provide guests with a comfortable journey back home."

An Associated Press staffer aboard the ship said Sunday that the ship's captain and its cruise director have made announcements about the norovirus issues but it's not clear how many people have been affected by the illness.

Representatives for the Miami-based cruise line have not responded to repeated requests for comment.

The ship was damaged a day after it set sail on Feb. 6 when it encountered 30-foot waves and hurricane force winds. Its 4,500 passengers hunkered down for hours.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)