No exaggeration at all, we're 60+ cruises all over the world, multiple bumpy trips across Bay of Biscay and around Cape Horn and have never experienced quite such rough seas and high winds as that night. The ship had a pronounced list due to the side on wind, water getting in in many areas particularly from the prominade doors along deck 7, and a very bumpy ride over the troughs in the waves. Our cabin was on deck 8 forward and we spent most of the night awake and holding on to the beds because sleep was impossible. I imagine very few crew members slept that night, and they all had to work again as usual the following day.
That ship is as tough as they come, despite her age she handle the violent storm and motion well!