Passengers aboard the Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas eagerly watched on as a helicopter came into land on the ship off France's west coast.

Footage captured on June 5 shows tourists recording as the helicopter slowly descended onto the ship to pick up a crew member who was ill.

Newsflare's filmer explained: "The cruise ship was on the second day of the 12-night cruise with its first port due the next day in Vigo.

"The cruise ship diverted in the Bay of Biscay towards the French coast so it could meet with a helicopter sent to pick up the member of the crew.

"Passengers looked on and were prevented from going on the forward outside deck where the evacuation took place."

The cruise had departed Southampton and was heading toward the Canary Islands when it was diverted.

Passengers on Royal Caribbeans Anthem of The Seas June 2023 cruise watch a helicopter medivac a crew member who fell ill on route to the Canary Islands from Southampton in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of France. The cruise ship was on the second day of the 12 night cruise with it's first port due the next day in Vigo. The cruise ship diverted in the Bay of Biscay towards the French coast so it could meet with a helicopter sent to pick up the member of crew. Passengers looked on and were prevented from going on the forward outside deck where the evacuation took place.

Royal Caribbean cruise