Terrifying Footage Shows Cruise Ship Battling 40ft Waves in ‘Drake Shake’ Nightmare

What do you get when you cross a cruise ship, a fearless travel blogger, and the world’s roughest stretch of sea? A jaw-dropping rollercoaster ride through the Drake Passage – and it’s all caught on camera.

Passengers aboard Ocean Explorer, operated by Quark Expeditions, experienced the full wrath of Mother Nature as they were rocked by waves up to 40 feet high during a return trip from Antarctica.

Watch the Chaos Unfold

In the clip, passengers are tossed around hallways, dishes are smashing, and one guy even tries to surf the ship’s floor. Meanwhile, waves rise high above the deck and slam against the ship’s massive windows like something out of a disaster movie.

Travel blogger Lesley Ann Murphy captured the whole thing on Instagram, calling it a “48-hour rollercoaster” through one of the most feared stretches of sea on the planet – the infamous Drake Passage, which separates South America from Antarctica.

“We survived not one but two Drake Shakes!” Murphy wrote. “Yes, we were safe – and it was insane… and at times, even fun?”

What Is the Drake Shake?

Let’s break it down. The Drake Passage has a reputation for being either eerily calm (nicknamed the “Drake Lake”) or wild and thrashing – the dreaded “Drake Shake.”

Murphy and her fellow cruisers got the latter. The footage shows the ship rocking violently as foamy waves crash into the windows. At one point, a TV swings dangerously from the wall, and passengers scramble across the lounge like it’s a scene from Titanic.

Despite being told to stay in their cabins for an afternoon, Murphy managed to find the bright side: FaceTime chats, some deep reflection – and the surprising discovery that she doesn’t get seasick.

Not the First Wild Ride

The Ocean Explorer isn’t the first ship to get battered down south. Last year, Atlas World Voyager found itself in 93-foot waves and winds topping 115mph while also crossing the Drake Passage.

Footage from that cruise showed the luxury yacht being lifted sky-high on waves before plunging down several storeys. Deck furniture? Gone. Passengers? Terrified. But once again, the ship made it through – hats off to those captains.

If you thought this was just a polar problem – think again. Just before Christmas 2023, the MS Maud, a Norwegian cruise liner, was hit by a freak wave while sailing through the North Sea. The impact was so intense it shattered the bridge windows and knocked out power, leaving the ship adrift.

It was meant to be a peaceful Northern Lights cruise from Tilbury. Instead, it became a rescue operation, with the ship towed to Germany after the terrifying ordeal. One passenger caught the exact moment the rogue wave struck on camera, saying:

“As soon as the wave hit, the TV screen went blank and the ship’s horn started blaring – that’s when I knew something was wrong.”

Final Thoughts

Cruising through extreme weather isn’t exactly on most people’s holiday checklist – but for the adventurous, it’s part of the thrill. Whether it’s the Drake Lake or the Drake Shake, Antarctica cruises come with an edge of unpredictability.

Would you brave the wild seas for a trip to the end of the world? Or is this your sign to stick to Caribbean sunshine and poolside piña coladas?

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