'Freak' turbulence lands 11 airplane passengers in hospital as they returned from a Christmas cruise

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It sounded like the perfect festive break: a cruise around the sunny Caribbean, before flying back to the cold and wet UK just in time for Christmas.

But the idyllic vacation turned into something of a nightmare for the 225 British passengers on P&O Cruises' Caribbean Fly-Cruise, after their chartered return flight hit "freak" turbulence, landing some passengers in hospital and delaying everyone's return home until after Christmas.

The passengers had booked one or two-week cruises on the luxurious Arvia ship. With no fewer than four pools and 30 bars and restaurants onboard, it was set to be a dreamy trip around top Caribbean destinations, including Antigua, St. Lucia and the Dominican Republic.

As it happened, the cruise went to plan. But getting home in time for Christmas was a different story.

Passengers boarded a charter plane, organized by the cruise company, to fly them from Barbados to Manchester on December 23, but shortly after takeoff the plane experienced every flyer's nightmare: clear air turbulence, which is impossible to predict. It hit two and a half hours into the flight, as the Airbus 300-200, operated by Maleth Aero, was cruising at 38,000 feet.

The plane diverted to LF Wade Airport in Bermuda, where 11 passengers were taken to hospital. A spokesperson for P&O Cruises confirmed that all were discharged the same day. None of the 13 crew were injured.