Hundreds of passengers fell violently sick as their Bermuda-bound cruise ships were pounded by 15 foot waves during a fierce storm.

The Norwegian Crown and Norwegian Majesty were tossed about mercilessly as the winds struck in the middle of Monday night, several hours after they had left America. Many passengers were shocked at how waves pushed the giant vessels around like toys.

Honeymooners, Susan and Joseph Purtill, endured a nightmare start to married life on board the Norwegian Crown.

"I was so sick I swore I would fly home," Mrs. Purtill told The Royal Gazette. She added staff would not allow passengers to go out on deck. "I was on my honeymoon and I spent the whole day in bed alone."

Mr. Purtill said he and other husbands whose wives had fallen ill kept each other company at meal times. One passenger from the Norwegian Majesty said she was so sick "the nurse had to give her a shot".

"Outdoor activities were cancelled," she said.

"They tried to put out five or six lounge chairs at one point when the sun came out. But soon it got so bad they blew all over the place and they had to come back inside," the passenger added. The Norwegian Crown left from New York with 1,183 passengers and 537 crew on board. Passenger counts for the Norwegian Majesty, which left from Boston, were not available because it arrived late in St. George's yesterday morning.

Passengers reported that staff distributed seasickness drugs, green apples and salt crackers at the same time.