Cape Coral family sails into Atlantic storm on Norwegian cruise ship

With a massive winter storm moving over the Atlantic, the Norwegian cruise ship “Breakaway” caught the worst of it.

Inside the ship, a Cape Coral family feared for their lives. They’re safely back at home, and say all they wanted was a magical and relaxing New Year’s Eve cruise.

Aaron Bernau and his family say it was complete chaos on board during the storm.

“We could see chairs and windows being blown out, sliding glass doors that were being blown out, furniture left at sea, signage left at sea…It was extreme,” he said.

As water spewed from the ceilings, passengers were forced to sit inside on the floors, seeking refuge from the giant waves crashing just outside.

“We talked to a lot of people that were just praying. A lot of people really thought we were not going to make it and you can count me into that camp,” Bernau said.

The panic and sea sickness went on for four days until the ship finally docked in New York.

But Bernau says it was the lack of communication from the captain to the 4,000 people on board that was the most alarming.

Bernau says while he’s happy his family is back safe in Cape Coral, he wants answers from the cruise line about why their lives were put at risk.

“If they came clean it would go a whole long way with my family,” Bernau said.