A VIKING Cruises ship was badly damaged after it crashed into an oil tanker while carrying 171 passengers.

The ship was travelling off the coast of Terneuzen in the Netherlands when it collided with the tanker.

According to Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant, the Idun Cruise ship experienced serious damage to the bow of the ship and had ripped a large hole in the hull of the tanker.

Fortunately the damage was above the water line, which means no oil leak is expected.

On the Idun, there was also damage to the interior, with tables and plates broken and strewn across the floor.

Passengers Steve and Shelly Eitel were on board the ship at the time and told News Parot: "We went flying on our couches and chairs to the opposite end of the deck."

The incident took place on the seventh day of the ten-day river cruise, while travelling from Antwerp to Ghent.

Viking confirmed that passengers would continue on their journey, albeit with a different itinerary.

A Viking spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: "We can confirm that just after midnight (CEST) on 1 April, Viking Idun and a cargo vessel collided while sailing from Antwerp to Ghent.

"No guests were injured. The ship sustained some damage near the bow and is currently docked in Terneuzen with all guests.

"While damage of the ship is being assessed, guests will continue with a modified version of the itinerary.

"We hope to have the ship in operation in time for its next departure on 4 April, if that should not be so future guests will be accommodated on another Viking Longship.

"Viking’s Customer Relations team will communicate directly with the guests or their travel agents."