Up to 4000 passengers were aboard the 'Norweigan Breakaway' when it endured the giant swells as a result of the winter storm.
The Norweigan Cruise Line ship was sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from the Bahamas to New York when the winter storm hit.
Passengers have since told of how they held on for life and feared their safety as the boat was rocking 'like crazy'.
Video footage shows water pouring into the cabins and down the ship's staircases.
The traumatic experience left some passengers physically ill and in tears.
Christina Mendez was on board with two children enjoying a New Years holiday when the storm left her to wish for it to end.
She took to Twitter to plead with the cruise line to stop at an earlier port.
"We are in trouble on the #NCLBreakaway. Pray for us all," she wrote on January 4.
"Can we stop at ANY port and be safe, please? I am beyond scared at this time.
A day later she couldn't wait to get off when the ship arrived in New York.
A blanket of snow covers Liberty Island on January 5, 2018 in New York City. Under frigid temperatures, New York City dug out from the 'Bomb Cyclone'. Source: Getty
NYC skyline during a snow storm on January 4, 2018 at Hamilton Park in Weehawken, New Jersey. Source: Getty
"Let me off this boat already pretty please! My kids and I want to get off," she wrote on January 5.
Another passenger Karoline Ross was travelling with 21 members of her family.
Ms Ross told CBS the ship was battered by 30ft waves during the storm.
"When you're on a boat in the middle of the ocean and water is pouring down the stairs, you're thinking 'this is not going to end well," she said.
Emma Franzese, another passenger said she was "completely traumatised".
"I'll never go on any type of boat again in my life after this," she told CBS.
The cruise line has apologised to passengers following the journey.
"During the early morning hours of January 4, Norwegian Breakaway encountered stronger than forecasted weather conditions due to winter storm Grayson during the trip's return to New York from the Bahamas. All guests and crew are safe," a spokesman said.
"We sincerely apologise to our guests for these stronger than expected weather conditions and any resulting discomfort they may have experienced."
Niaraga Falls during the “bomb cyclone” winter storm. Source: The News Daily
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