Fire on Carnival Triumph. No engines, running on emergency generators.

[fcombs]

What I do not understand with this newest fire and subsequent disaster at sea - people living in sewage on their dream vacations and standing in line for four hours at a time for a bit of food - is why these big ships are not prepared to take care of the large number of people in their care. Ok, so the fire was put out,and no one was hurt. But what about the days that have followed? I'm speaking of the horrible reports of how these people are living not to mention the disease they could contract.

 

1. Why would it be so hard to have a large area that contains "survival food and equipment?" Dried foods like dried milk, and foods that have a long shelf life could easily be kept on a ship in case of an emergency such as this, and SHOULD be. Tons of bottled water should be kept in case of an emergency.

 

2. And why has nobody tried to evacuate these people from this ship during the week they have been out there living in garbage and sewage with no power? It seems to me the entire ship could have been evacuated by helicopters and even the Coast Guard by now, but no one has even attempted to "rescue" these people.

 

3. And what about all the overflowing toilets? What should happen in an emergency. Shouldn't the water be shut off immediately? The crap is going to go into the ocean anyway despite the best efforts to avoid it, and we all know it. Why not shut the water off and provide some vaguely civilized way for people to relieve themselves?

 

4. And why can't they keep tents and air beds and blankets, etc. on hand in the "doom room" so that those who prefer sleeping on deck can do so comfortably.

 

It just seems to me that these are just the basic things that a cruise line should do to try to ensure that the passengers are fed and are comfortable. And for God's sake, buy some LED lights for the ship. Those things that stick on the wall last for quite a few hours. Put those sucks high on the walls so they don't get wet, and put them all over the ship so there is light. Even better have really great back up generators that can provide power for lighting and cooking and the basics of what we have come to know as life.

 

This entire situation is the most botched mess I have ever witnessed and in spite of having gone on right at 20 cruises, right now I don't have much desire to ever set foot on another ship. We had just gotten off the Splendor the day before she caught on fire. We dodged a bullet. And that's the last cruise we have been on.

 

I have not been too crazy about cruising in several years - once the viruses caught on they never got the ships really clean of them, and every cruise I went on I ended up sick after about 2005. It was very disappointing.

 

Just my thoughts. I'm not getting (1) why the ships are not prepared for emergencies, and (2) why no one has put forth any effort to evacuate the ship. And I'm not getting why they can't take these ships out of service and clean them up if they know there are viruses on them that are going to make people sick.

[ShrinkinTexas]

So, they will be taken from Mobile to NOLA via bus? No thank you, can't imagine the smell on that bus. Not trying to be rude, but at least on the ship, you can go outside and get fresh air.

[sanmarcosman]

Showing his/her quality, I hope, by keeping the pax entertained with the limited resources available.

 

This sounds like the typical Carnival entertainment since Cahill came on board. ;)

[FlaParrotHead]

Well, then I'm one of the very few, and my DH agrees with me. We would absolutely allow passengers without plumbing to use ours if we had it. We would also keep our cabin door open during the day so others could get air from our balcony.

This isn't a normal circumstance, and I like to think there are still plenty of people out there like us. It would never occur to me to not offer to share or help if I thought it would make someone else's suffering less.

No towel? No problem! If it meant the difference between showering or not showering, I could do very well with a bath robe or a sheet!

 

Well said. You and your DH can join my DW and I cruising anytime.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Cindy]

Now I have to figure out just how I came to think that Carnival had said there was power in the forward cabins. :confused:

 

I never heard about power in the cabins, but I did read earlier in the week that part of the power that had been restored included limited outlets in some hallways that were available for charging.

[dwjoe]

AC would require a lot more power than lighting up the cabins.

 

After turning the propellers I would imagine the AC is the next greatest power load on the ship.

 

Considering for most 2000sq ft homes you need a 10k-15kW generator for a whole house AC of modern efficiency, I could only imagine what 200,000 sq ft of cabins (rough estimate) plus all the common areas would require. Not to mention the fact that there are probably blown fuses throughout the ship which prevents the correct load and operation of the system.

 

Just thinking as I type that this seems to be dangerous to even try, the odds of starting a fire from the amperage load is too great to risk the ship.

 

 

I think you folks are right about the A/C.

[dockmaster]

That is standard operating procedure for a corporation when they give a payout for your troubles.

 

A customer always retains the right to refuse the payout and thereby have the right to sue if they believe they will get greater compensation after lawyers fees are paid.

 

500 buck isnt alot of money to keep a person outta court. Besides, one or two family members could take it and the other could sue and possibly get a judgement for large enough for all of them.

Did the paxs on the Splendor sue? Anyone know?

 

billd

[dwjoe]

CCritic lurker here and this might actually be my first post. :eek:

 

Regarding going to NOLA for airport choice as opposed to Mobile. I was looking up the difference between the two airports.

MOBILE

regional airport, only handles about 60 flights a day and 700,000 passengers per year

NOLA

international airport, handles approx 9 million passengers a year

 

Based on that info it would seem that people would get out of NOLA much quicker for flights than in Mobile. This is just my thought I'm voicing out loud and forgive me if this has already been posted by someone. I have been trying to read each post in this thread. Also it's taken me approx 15 minutes to type this and get the nerve to actually post on cruise critic. :eek:

 

Just want to say I love Cruise Critic. There are days when I laugh, I yell at the screen, my husband and I have great conversations together based on threads and it helps me plan my cruise.

Okay...i'm going to sneak back into lurking mode now. :)

Welcome, and thanks for posting the useful info. No need to be shy, nobody knows who you are IRL. :cool:

[BeagleOne]

 

This isn't a normal circumstance, and I like to think there are still plenty of people out there like us. It would never occur to me to not offer to share or help if I thought it would make someone else's suffering less.

 

No towel? No problem! If it meant the difference between showering or not showering, I could do very well with a bath robe or a sheet!

 

Yes, I think I'd join you in sharing even though I would generally be solo in an inside cabin so I couldn't help with ventilation. But if I had a working shower, I would let others use it...I wouldn't make a mass announcement, but for table-mates, new friends, people with young kids...wear flip-flops if you're worried about what might be on the floor of the shower, and bring your own towel! I'd be guarding my towel with my life and might be wearing the sheet as a toga! :)

[dwjoe]

2. And why has nobody tried to evacuate these people from this ship during the week they have been out there living in garbage and sewage with no power? It seems to me the entire ship could have been evacuated by helicopters and even the Coast Guard by now, but no one has even attempted to "rescue" these people.

Welcome, fcombs. I'll just comment on one point you raised. This question of evacuation was debated fiercely in this thread. A minority of posters agree with you and feel more should have been done to get pax off the ship. The majority felt it was too dangerous to transfer pax on the high seas if they were not in immediate danger, and the captain of the US Coast Guard cutter Vigorous, escorting the Triumph, made a similar statement.

[dwjoe]

500 buck isnt alot of money to keep a person outta court. Besides, one or two family members could take it and the other could sue and possibly get a judgement for large enough for all of them.

Did the paxs on the Splendor sue? Anyone know?

I don't think anyone on the Splendor was successful in suing. I read some lawyers articles from 2010 stating that they would not take the case.

[SeaHunt]

-Some chairs look like they are covered by white objects. Possibly sheets from makeshift tents?

 

Sorry for the poor zoomed pic from the earlier link, but I can see what you mean:

 

[dodgetrucksrule]

Here’s something to think about –

The news is making the conditions sound “life threatening” and “deplorable.” Carnival is making the conditions sound “inconvenient” and “challenging.” My thoughts are:

The Coast Guard is there, with the ship, has been since Monday. IF the conditions were as bad as the news is making it sound – the Coast Guard would order the evacuation of the ship!!!

The Coast Guard is the ruling authority. If they thought it would be safer to transfer the passengers off the ship than to leave them on the ship – they would have ordered it.

The ship is feeding the passengers – 3 ships have dropped off food and supplies. Some power has been restored to the galley, so there is some warm food. Toilets are working. Most elevators are working. The comedians are performing, as well as other activities to try and keep everyone entertained.

[oklahomasunshine]

CG press release dated today... Have not saw anything about it , thought I would share, hope its not prohibited :eek:

 

 

http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1703947/Coast-Guard-assists-in-transporting-a-generator-to-Carnival-Triumph

[SonomaMist]

Given all Carnival's problems (Splendor, Triumph and Costa), and since they have a relatively small cruising footprint, why doesn't Carnival keep a ship in reserve (since the older ones are being rehabbed anyway) -- or at the very least ask sister ships in the vicinity to assist with accepting passengers who are in dire need (elderly, families with small children, handicapped, etc).

 

In looking at this map, Carnival is criss-crossing itself all over the Caribbean at the height of the season.

 

http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/cruiseships.phtml

 

It's understandable if their ships were thousands of miles apart...but they are not. Why are they putting people though this misery?

[dwjoe]

Sorry for the poor zoomed pic from the link, but helps to see what you mean:

 

Yes exactly that, thank you for the photo. I believe the Triumph's chairs are normally blue or dark colored, so the fact that some appear covered with white may be indicative of something unusual.

[Donut23]

What troubles me, it seems Carnival learned little following the Splendor misshap.

 

A few lifetimes ago I was TA when the Monarch if the seas his a reef in Phillipsburg harbor, was sinking and Bridge officer beached her at the entrance to the harbor.

 

Abandon ship alarm sounded and in the early morning hours guests were evacuated to waiting busses ashore. Nothing more was arranged and for many it was an impossible mess. (the bus driver for my 4 couples was brilliant. They came ashore without luggage so he took them to a clothing optional resort). What a hoot!

 

Anyway, after months of study RCI created teams of staff ready to respond to any catastrophe as required.

 

Years later a friend was cruising on RCI to Bermuda on a big family reunion. Her husband died suddenly on the beach. RCI had a staff member there exclusively fir the family to solve any problems.

 

I love Royal Caribbean, married on the Radiance in Alaska. They don't always get it right but that time.....they did in creating their catastrophe teams.

 

Carnival seems to have learned little from the Splendor. Very bad show, Carnival.

[dockmaster]

What I do not understand with this newest fire and subsequent disaster at sea - people living in sewage on their dream vacations and standing in line for four hours at a time for a bit of food - is why these big ships are not prepared to take care of the large number of people in their care. Ok, so the fire was put out,and no one was hurt. But what about the days that have followed? I'm speaking of the horrible reports of how these people are living not to mention the disease they could contract.

 

1. Why would it be so hard to have a large area that contains "survival food and equipment?" Dried foods like dried milk, and foods that have a long shelf life could easily be kept on a ship in case of an emergency such as this, and SHOULD be. Tons of bottled water should be kept in case of an emergency.

 

2. And why has nobody tried to evacuate these people from this ship during the week they have been out there living in garbage and sewage with no power? It seems to me the entire ship could have been evacuated by helicopters and even the Coast Guard by now, but no one has even attempted to "rescue" these people.

 

3. And what about all the overflowing toilets? What should happen in an emergency. Shouldn't the water be shut off immediately? The crap is going to go into the ocean anyway despite the best efforts to avoid it, and we all know it. Why not shut the water off and provide some vaguely civilized way for people to relieve themselves?

 

4. And why can't they keep tents and air beds and blankets, etc. on hand in the "doom room" so that those who prefer sleeping on deck can do so comfortably.

 

It just seems to me that these are just the basic things that a cruise line should do to try to ensure that the passengers are fed and are comfortable. And for God's sake, buy some LED lights for the ship. Those things that stick on the wall last for quite a few hours. Put those sucks high on the walls so they don't get wet, and put them all over the ship so there is light. Even better have really great back up generators that can provide power for lighting and cooking and the basics of what we have come to know as life.

 

This entire situation is the most botched mess I have ever witnessed and in spite of having gone on right at 20 cruises, right now I don't have much desire to ever set foot on another ship. We had just gotten off the Splendor the day before she caught on fire. We dodged a bullet. And that's the last cruise we have been on.

 

I have not been too crazy about cruising in several years - once the viruses caught on they never got the ships really clean of them, and every cruise I went on I ended up sick after about 2005. It was very disappointing.

 

Just my thoughts. I'm not getting (1) why the ships are not prepared for emergencies, and (2) why no one has put forth any effort to evacuate the ship. And I'm not getting why they can't take these ships out of service and clean them up if they know there are viruses on them that are going to make people sick.

 

 

I just think there are too many damn people on each ship.....doesnt matter which line. 2000 would be fine, but its about money, industry wide. Ships aren't getting smaller, there getting bigger.

A fire at sea sux...I hate to what if....but if this fire had not been contained to that one engine room, we probably would be talking about deaths instead of no showers.

The whole industry need to look at a mass casualty happening and deciding if that worth the the bottom dollar line. So far in 3 very serious incidents, only 32 people have died....when it gets up into the hundreds or thousands, then they may take notice.

 

billd

[berryberry]

Here’s something to think about –

The news is making the conditions sound “life threatening” and “deplorable.” Carnival is making the conditions sound “inconvenient” and “challenging.” My thoughts are:

The Coast Guard is there, with the ship, has been since Monday. IF the conditions were as bad as the news is making it sound – the Coast Guard would order the evacuation of the ship!!!

The Coast Guard is the ruling authority. If they thought it would be safer to transfer the passengers off the ship than to leave them on the ship – they would have ordered it.

The ship is feeding the passengers – 3 ships have dropped off food and supplies. Some power has been restored to the galley, so there is some warm food. Toilets are working. Most elevators are working. The comedians are performing, as well as other activities to try and keep everyone entertained.

 

The Coast Guard is not nor has not been on the ship since this ordeal started. They are on a separate vessel ready to offer assistance if needed

 

Also, the USCG is not the ruling authority. The ship is flagged in the Bahamas

[ROB427]

What troubles me, it seems Carnival learned little following the Splendor misshap.

 

A few lifetimes ago I was TA when the Monarch if the seas his a reef in Phillipsburg harbor, was sinking and Bridge officer beached her at the entrance to the harbor.

 

Abandon ship alarm sounded and in the early morning hours guests were evacuated to waiting busses ashore. Nothing more was arranged and for many it was an impossible mess. (the bus driver for my 4 couples was brilliant. They came ashore without luggage so he took them to a clothing optional resort). What a hoot!

 

Anyway, after months of study RCI created teams of staff ready to respond to any catastrophe as required.

 

Years later a friend was cruising on RCI to Bermuda on a big family reunion. Her husband died suddenly on the beach. RCI had a staff member there exclusively fir the family to solve any problems.

 

I love Royal Caribbean, married on the Radiance in Alaska. They don't always get it right but that time.....they did in creating their catastrophe teams.

 

Carnival seems to have learned little from the Splendor. Very bad show, Carnival.

 

 

I was on the Monarch of the Seas on that cruise. No hotel for us, we were dropped off with 400 other passangers at a community center in the middle of nowhere. No RCCL staff at all. Cabs would drop off food. That was a long 2 days.

[Sargent_Schultz]

The Coast Guard is not nor has not been on the ship since this ordeal started. They are on a separate vessel ready to offer assistance if needed

 

Also, the USCG is not the ruling authority. The ship is flagged in the Bahamas

 

I would be very surprised if nobody from the USCG has been on the ship. If nothing else then to assist with the generator and cables they delivered. The Bahamas will lead the investigation, but they certainly have nothing in the vicinity of Triumph to assist.

[broberts]

What I do not understand with this newest fire and subsequent disaster at sea - people living in sewage on their dream vacations and standing in line for four hours at a time for a bit of food - is why these big ships are not prepared to take care of the large number of people in their care. Ok, so the fire was put out,and no one was hurt. But what about the days that have followed? I'm speaking of the horrible reports of how these people are living not to mention the disease they could contract.

 

1. Why would it be so hard to have a large area that contains "survival food and equipment?" Dried foods like dried milk, and foods that have a long shelf life could easily be kept on a ship in case of an emergency such as this, and SHOULD be. Tons of bottled water should be kept in case of an emergency.

 

Short answer is too expensive. Carnival alone has 24 ships and has only had two incidents in over three years. Even survival type food has a shelf life as does bottled water. Tons of bottled water is actually not very much, in fact at 2 liters per day per person a ship the size of Triumph would need 8,000 liters or about 8 tons a day and this doesn't include anything for food preparation. (Carrying sufficient food and bottled water for even three days would add to fuel costs.)

 

2. And why has nobody tried to evacuate these people from this ship during the week they have been out there living in garbage and sewage with no power? It seems to me the entire ship could have been evacuated by helicopters and even the Coast Guard by now, but no one has even attempted to "rescue" these people.

 

Short answer, too dangerous. Read the thread for an exhaustive discussion on this subject. I would suggest that the situation is likely not nearly as bad as the imaginations of some have made it out to be. We just don't know.

 

3. And what about all the overflowing toilets? What should happen in an emergency. Shouldn't the water be shut off immediately? The crap is going to go into the ocean anyway despite the best efforts to avoid it, and we all know it. Why not shut the water off and provide some vaguely civilized way for people to relieve themselves?

 

Short answer, ship toilets require power to flush. The early parts of this thread were (in my opinion) overly fascinated by this topic. We have no idea how many toilets actually overflowed. It only takes a couple to really stink things up, especially if the ventilation is not working or is sluggish. Once again, we just don't know how bad things are.

 

4. And why can't they keep tents and air beds and blankets, etc. on hand in the "doom room" so that those who prefer sleeping on deck can do so comfortably.

 

See answer to 1.

 

It just seems to me that these are just the basic things that a cruise line should do to try to ensure that the passengers are fed and are comfortable. And for God's sake, buy some LED lights for the ship. Those things that stick on the wall last for quite a few hours. Put those sucks high on the walls so they don't get wet, and put them all over the ship so there is light. Even better have really great back up generators that can provide power for lighting and cooking and the basics of what we have come to know as life.

 

I believe Triumph has two engine / generator rooms. So there are backup generators. The problem may be in the power distribution system rather than with the generating equipment. But we won't really know until the investigations are finished.

 

This entire situation is the most botched mess I have ever witnessed and in spite of having gone on right at 20 cruises, right now I don't have much desire to ever set foot on another ship. We had just gotten off the Splendor the day before she caught on fire. We dodged a bullet. And that's the last cruise we have been on.

 

It's my belief the perception shared by many that this situation is a "botched mess" has come about in large part because of the lack of communications. This lack of real facts from those on board has been made much worse by the lack of any effective media relations by Carnival.

 

I have not been too crazy about cruising in several years - once the viruses caught on they never got the ships really clean of them, and every cruise I went on I ended up sick after about 2005. It was very disappointing.

 

Just my thoughts. I'm not getting (1) why the ships are not prepared for emergencies, and (2) why no one has put forth any effort to evacuate the ship. And I'm not getting why they can't take these ships out of service and clean them up if they know there are viruses on them that are going to make people sick.

 

We really will not know how prepared or unprepared the ship was for this type of emergency until well after it has docked. Right now all we really have are a dozen or so isolated facts and reams of speculation.

[tallyho8]

This is the closest figures I have seen for what Carnival has offered to reimburse passengers for their inconvenience:

 

Figuring for 2 people in an average cabin:

Cost of cruise with gratuities, taxes and port fees $1000.00.

Average 4 day bar bill for two. $ 192.00

Cost for non-reimbursable excursions or transportation $ 200.00

Credit for future cruise of the same cost. $1000.00

Cash $1000.00

TOTAL $3392.00

 

Naturally, this is just averages and some will get much more while a few will get less.

 

And this does not include what it will cost Carnival to house people in hotels and their bus and air fare back home which will probably be quite a few hundred dollars more.

[Donut23]

500 buck isnt alot of money to keep a person outta court. Besides, one or two family members could take it and the other could sue and possibly get a judgement for large enough for all of them.

Did the paxs on the Splendor sue? Anyone know?

 

billd

 

 

 

Sadly for guests, suing the cruiselines is probably not going to be very successful.

 

Why? The fine print!

 

We all agree to the cruiselines "contract if carriage" which pretty much covers the cruiselines "transoms (butts)" in a court of law.

 

This was discovered the hard way by Concordia guests and crew.

[broberts]

double post, sorry