What Is the Poop Cruise?

By Anna Duncan

In February 2013, an incident occurred that came to be known as the “Poop Cruise.” The Carnival Triumph, a luxury cruise ship, departed from Galveston, Texas on February 7th, with over 3,000 passengers and crew members onboard. However, just a few days into the voyage, the ship experienced an engine room fire that left it stranded in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Stranded Ship

The engine room fire caused the Carnival Triumph to lose power and become adrift in the Gulf of Mexico. With no working toilets or running water and limited food supplies, the passengers and crew were left stranded on a ship that was rapidly becoming unsanitary.

The Horrific Conditions

Over the next several days, conditions onboard deteriorated rapidly. Passengers were forced to relieve themselves in plastic bags and place them in hallways due to overflowing toilets.

The smell of sewage permeated through most of the ship’s interior spaces. Food became scarce as generators could not keep up with demand for hot meals.

The Rescue Efforts

The United States Coast Guard dispatched helicopters and cutters to deliver food and supplies to those stranded onboard. The National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation into the cause of the fire that led to this tragedy.

The Aftermath

The Carnival Triumph was eventually towed back to port in Mobile, Alabama on February 14th – a week after it set sail from Galveston. Passengers disembarked with tales of woe and disgust at their experience aboard what had quickly become known as a “floating toilet.”

Legal Action Taken

Passengers soon began filing lawsuits against Carnival Corporation for negligence and emotional distress caused by the traumatic experience they had faced onboard. In April 2013, Carnival Corporation agreed to pay $10 million in settlements to passengers affected by the incident.

Conclusion

The Poop Cruise was an unfortunate event that highlighted the importance of safety measures on board cruise ships. It also served as a lesson for cruise companies to ensure that they can handle emergencies and provide adequate support to passengers in distress. Despite the horror experienced by those onboard, the incident also brought out stories of bravery, kindness, and resilience in the face of adversity.