Couple celebrating their wedding anniversary open up about 'traumatizing' $3,300 cruise ship nightmare - with rooms FLOODED, passengers forced to wear life jackets, and crew telling guests to 'find sanctuary'

A couple has detailed their 'traumatizing' cruise ship nightmare, which saw them getting caught in a brutal storm and losing out on $3,294. 

Alisha and Nate Downey, both 31, decided to book themselves onto a Royal Caribbean cruise to celebrate their five-year wedding anniversary after hearing rave reviews from friends and family. 

However, little did the Colorado-based couple know that their five-day dream holiday would turn into a nightmare stay when a storm hit.

Alisha and Nate's romantic stay became a horrid experience as they were forced to 'find sanctuary' amidst the storm as wine glasses shattered and plates went flying around them.

Alisha and Nate Downey, both 31, decided to book themselves onto a Royal Caribbean cruise to celebrate their five-year wedding anniversary after hearing rave reviews from friends and family

They have now detailed their 'traumatizing' cruise ship nightmare, which saw them getting caught in a brutal storm and losing out on $3,294

Alisha and Nate's romantic stay became a horrid experience as they were forced to 'find sanctuary' amidst the storm as wine glasses shattered and plates went flying around them

The couple went viral on social media by detailing the terrifying and disappointing experience.  

Alisha said: 'We could see from our balcony that the overcast was getting worse, water was becoming very choppy, and looking toward the direction we were headed.

'Very quickly the weather became worse, rain pouring down, the ship rocking. Around this time is when I believe an announcement was made that we were in a storm and to "find sanctuary."'

Once the lovebirds got to their room, chaos ensued and the couple was terrified as they saw glass shattering. 

She added: 'Soon our room was taking on water, coming under our balcony door. A wine glass slid off the vanity and shattered, all the stuff came falling off.

'So we went downstairs to see what was going on and there was broken glass everywhere. Bars were closed as liquor bottles and glasses had also broken.' 

The couple were left shaking from fear as they saw people screaming and even putting on life jackets.

Meanwhile, water flooded their room.

The couple went viral on social media by detailing the terrifying and disappointing experience

Once the lovebirds got to their room, chaos ensued and the couple was terrified as they saw glass shattering

'We even saw women wearing their life jackets coming up the stairs from lower decks… people were scared.

'And by that point, there was about three feet of water in our room,' she said. 

The cruise left Galveston, Texas, on 22 January, planning to head to Costa Maya, Mexico, then Cozumel, before making its way back to Galveston five days later.

Unfortunately, cruise staff announced the ship would not be able to port in Costa Maya as it was too dangerous and would head straight to Cozumel instead.

On the way back, two thunderstorms hit.

Alisha and Nate eventually arrived safely at home.

However, they were not happy with the experience or the money spent.

Alisha added: 'It would've been worth it to us if we had actually had an enjoyable vacation. Instead we paid a lot of money to stress away from home.' 

Alisha and Nate eventually arrived safely at home, however they weren't happy with their experience 

The 31-year-old noted that it was a horrifying experience and they weren't even reimbursed for the incident

The traveler noted that it was a horrifying experience and they weren't even reimbursed for the incident.  

She said: 'And honestly had a somewhat traumatizing experience. All they've offered us is 20 per cent off our next cruise.'

While social media users have been sympathetic to the couple's unfortunate situation, many have pointed out the obvious – that they travelled during hurricane season.

One user said: 'You just unfortunately went during a bad time, try again, not during hurricane season.'

Another person wrote: 'Try again in the summer! Much better.'

Someone else commented: 'Must of went during hurricane season.'

'Stay off the boats during hurricane season,' said another user.

Royal Caribbean cruises has been approached for comment.