A Maitland family is relieved to be back home Monday night after returning from a Disney Fantasy cruise they say was a nightmare thanks to Hurricane Sandy.
"It was like you were on the worst roller coaster of your life and you couldn't get off," said Michelle Luttrell, who was on the ship with her family late last week.
Keri Suess posted a YouTube video showing the gift shop in disarray, with a pile of purses on the floor.
"Everyone was terrified," Luttrell said.
In a statement, Disney Cruise Line acknowledged rough sea conditions last week. "Safety is our top priority. Our captains and crew members are highly trained and experienced in navigating through inclement weather," it said.
Luttrell said her husband, 2-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter were having a great time on the ship and at the beach until the fifth day of their seven-night cruise, when she says waves started rolling in.
"You would hear this 'whoosh.' We ate dinner on the second story, and the waves were covering the port hole," Luttrell said.
Disney officials say the ship suffered some minor superficial damage, including some cracked windows.
She said passengers were put on lockdown and told to stay in their rooms for their own safety. But even in their cabin, she said it was still shaky.
"Everything in our room was flying off the shelves. Doors were flying open and slamming shut, the stroller was hitting the door and bed," Luttrell said.
At one point, her husband fell out of bed trying to check on the kids, she said.
"When he went to get up, the boat rolled, and he fell to the left, and then the boat shifted to the right and he got thrown out of the bed and against the wall," Luttrell said.
Now, she is just glad her family is back home safe and on dry land.
"Everyone was cheering when they opened the doors for all of us to get off and go through customs. People were cheering," Luttrell said.
Disney offered cruise passengers 25 percent off their next Disney cruise or Disney resort stay.
