The aging Pacific Star, which many remember as the cruise ship Carnival Tropicale, suffered significant damage shortly after sailing from Auckland, New Zealand when 30-foot swells and 50-knot winds buffeted the ship leaving many of its 1,200 passengers seasick.

There were no reports of injuries, but the storm smashed windows aboard the ship, and the Pacific Star's bow and satellite systems were damaged.

After the storm, P&O Cruises cancelled the remainder of the cruise and disembarked passengers in Vila in the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. A number of flights have been chartered to return the stranded passengers to New Zealand.

P&O said the Pacific Star would be sailing to Brisbane, Australia without passengers where it would be put into drydock for a thorough inspection and repairs.