Silversea has been forced to cancel a cruise onboard the Silver Explorer after the vessel was damaged by a giant wave.

The incident happened in rough weather while the ship was on an 18-night voyage in South America.

Four crew suffered minor injuries during the incident, which saw a wave strike in the waters between Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica.

The luxury cruise line subsequently confirmed all 133 passengers and 113 crew were safe.

However, damage to the ship was sufficiently severe for Silversea to cut short the cruise and to cancel its next sailing on January 21st.

The ship has returned to Ushuaia in Argentina, where it departed in early January.