Wellington - More than 1,700 passengers arrived back on dry land in Auckland Friday, telling reporters they had experienced a "nightmare, like a disaster movie" on a cruise ship hit by a subtropical storm in the Pacific.

Graphic footage, showing the moment when the P&O liner Pacific Sun rolled Wednesday as it hit 7-metre swells and 50-knot winds, was screened on New Zealand's TV3. It showed chairs, crockery and glass flying and gaming machines flung from walls as passengers screamed while they were steaming 600 kilometres north of Auckland.

More than 40 passengers were treated for injuries, including a fractured pelvis, a broken arm, cuts, sprains and bruises. One woman lost the tip of a finger.

The ship's arrival in Auckland after an eight-day Pacific cruise was delayed by 24 hours as maritime inspectors met the vessel to hold safety checks, TV3 said. Some passengers cancelled their bookings to sail on the ship's next Pacific cruise, due to leave Saturday.

P&O said it was offering counselling to passengers and the 671 crew who were on the Pacific Sun and a 25-per-cent discount on fares for the travellers' next cruise. (dpa)