Terrifying footage captured the moment a cruise ship hit 40ft waves while travelling through one of the most dangerous sea crossings in the world. The Quark Expeditions' Ocean Explorer ship was making its way through the notorious Drake Passage, between the southern tip of South America and Antarctic, when it was slammed by the huge waves.

They were cruising for a bruising. Passengers freaked out as 40-foot waves slammed into a cruise liner navigating a treacherous stretch of ocean off Antarctica, as seen in freaky footage on Instagram.

Video captured as passengers struggled to stand as a cruise ship encountered rough conditions while passing through the infamous Drake Passage.