By LawInspectsIf you Netflix and chill sometimes, then you must have heard of the recent documentary they released regarding the Poop Cruise incident from back in 2013. It truly was a big thing back then, and the international media talked about it a lot. This was when a usual cruise ship journey became a super uncomfortable one for quite literally all the passengers on-board, and that’s why we saw the Poop Cruise Lawsuit thing in action. So, let’s go over it and see what went down, and why it is being specifically called the “Poop Cruise.”
What Exactly Happened on the Carnival Triumph?
The engine compartments of the Carnival Triumph saw a fire break out on 10 February 2013. The fire shut down power across the ship, hence stranding all passengers and crew. Without power, many systems just came to a halt. This included the toilets, which occasionally overflow, causing sewage spills into some parts of the ship.
What started as a short Mexican holiday wound up lasting eight days, with conditions deteriorating by the hour. The unfortunate passengers had no sort of training to handle such an emergency, and it soon turned very uncomfortable for them.
How Bad Did It Get?
If at all, you want the real truth, things went worse than most people could have ever imagined. In the end, when the toilets stopped working, the passengers had to resort to using red biohazard bags instead. These bags were left in the hallways because there was no proper place for disposal. The air conditioning was not working either, so people took mattresses to the open decks and tried to sleep in slightly better settings. It was like the whole ship turned into a tent!
The food supply became an issue. Food being limited saw passengers quarrel and show their displeasure towards one another. Rumors began to spread of people fighting or behaving inappropriately in public places. The situation was clearly beyond control.
Another major problem was the lack of communications: No phone signals, nor internet for most of the journey. It was only when another ship passed close by that they managed to get a weak signal to call for help.
When Did the Public Find Out?
Initially, Carnival announced the ship had “lost propulsion.” But back in the States, the families of the passengers’ concern sparked the media’s interest. With CNN and the big guys crawling all over the story, it turned international overnight.
As soon as this story was leaked into the media, the name “Poop Cruise” quickly began trending on the internet. Late-night shows made jokes about it, but those who were aboard thought nothing of it.
What Happened After the Ship Docked?
Because the ship had endured several days at sea, it arrived in Mobile, Alabama, on February 14, 2013. Carnival issued the formal apology, and certainly some perks were given: all passengers received a full refund, plus some credit toward another cruise. Carnival also provided for the flights to get everybody home.
But many of the passengers felt that just an apology and a refund were insufficient. Many took the company to court, contenting that they had failed to protect their health and safety. After the revelations of what they endured, it was evident as to why they felt that way.
The Carnival cited the fine print on the tickets stating that a perfectly safe or clean experience was never guaranteed. Yes, it was also in the standard terms and conditions, ignored by most of us.
Did Carnival Face Legal Consequences?
Well, sort of. Carnival invoked the ticket terms in its defense. However, to avoid further complications, the company decided to settle certain cases out of court. The amounts for those settlements were never disclosed.
One of the lawyers working on the case said that had there been better safety and backup systems, such an accident could have been averted. And honestly, that was not an unfair observation.