PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Coast Guard at Port Canaveral said Tuesday that a cruise ship took a heavy roll at sea, injuring some passengers.

Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer James Judge said he didn't know how many people were hurt when the Crown Princess listed or how serious any of the injuries were.

Judge said the ship, which began sailing a month ago, listed to port.

Sarah Feingold, a passenger onboard the ship, spoke to Local 10 via cell phone and she said that some people had broken bones and she believed about 30 people were hurt.

Feingold said that the ship tipped at about a 60-degree angle at about 3:45 a.m.

She said that passengers were thrown from their beds, items went flying off shelves, and furniture was smashed. She said the water was dumped out of the pools and there was broken glass all over the ship.

Feingold said it was a chaotic time, with parents and children crying. She said that she believes the cruise line was underestimating the seriousness of the injuries.

"I've seen a lot of serious injuries, " she said.

The Coast Guard said that the ship experienced what it called a steering casualty.

Emergency medical workers were shuttling out to the ship when it got within about five miles of Port Canaveral just after 5 p.m.

Fifteen ambulances were at the port waiting for the ship's arrival.

"We're coming back to the port so some of the passengers can receive some additional medical attention," Princess Cruises spokeswoman Julie Benson said.

A child and adult were critically injured, officials said. About 12 others were seriously hurt and about 70 had lesser injuries, said Cape Canaveral fire-rescue Capt. Jim Watson.

The ship was on its way to New York and had just left Port Canaveral after a nine-day western Caribbean cruise, she said.

Feingold said that the cruise ship officers were trying to keep people calm, and as the ship returned to port, they were even promising dinner and entertainment as usual.

Stan Payne, CEO of the Canaveral Port Authority, said the cruise line was asking passengers to stay on the ship until arrangements for their lodging could be made, but they were able to leave if they wanted. Customs officials were expected to arrive at 5 a.m. Wednesday to start processing passengers, authorities said.

The ship is owned by Princess Cruises, one of 12 brands operated by Miami-based Carnival Corp. The company said it was investigating the roll's cause.

The Coast Guard planned to inspect the ship Wednesday.