The True Story of the “Poop Cruise”: 4,200 People, No Flushing Toilets

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Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful ship.

But also make sure there’s a working toilet nearby because this tale may gross you out.

On February 7, 2013, the Carnival Triumph embarked from Galveston, Texas, for a planned four-day leisure voyage to Cozumel, Mexico, and its return journey.

Consequently, the journey transformed into an eight-day ordeal for 4,229 passengers and staff when a fire caused a blackout on the ship, resulting in no heated meals, no air conditioning, and, worst of all, nearly non-functional restrooms.

Netflix’s “Trainwreck: Poop Cruise” revisits the shockingly grim event, as those who experienced it firsthand share their accounts of the unbearably disgusting ordeal that took place.

In a playful manner, Jen Baxter, the cruise director, recounted jokingly suggesting that we could handle situation one (problem) in the shower during an episode. The situation two (problem), she admitted, was undeniably more challenging to resolve than the first.

However, she did come up with a solution.

Ashley, during her bachelorette party with Kalin and Jayme, expressed surprise when she learned that the crew was providing bags for convenience regarding nature calls and selected menu option 2, which could imply a shocked or bewildered reaction.

On that trip, Devin Marble found himself connecting with his fiancée’s family in a way he hadn’t anticipated. Looking back, he recollected his initial astonishment, expressed as: “So you’re asking me to do what?

During that unanticipated excursion, an extraordinary sequence of events unfolded, combining elements of terror, strangeness, and—due to the unfortunate involvement of fecal matter—a dash of humor. Subsequently, shows like The Daily Show, Conan, Saturday Night Live, among others, provided their unique perspectives on the situation.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d say, “Looking back, those who took part in that documentary can chuckle (even curse a bit), shed tears, but let me assure you, it wasn’t a laughing matter at the time. It was a challenging experience, no doubt.

This is what happened on the “poop cruise”:

On February 10, 2013, the Carnival Triumph, having completed three days of its journey, was en route from Cozumel, Mexico to Galveston, Texas with 3,143 passengers and 1,086 crew members aboard. However, around 5:30 a.m., a fire erupted in the engine room, causing the ship to return back instead of reaching its destination.

15 in the morning, those passengers woken up by the alarm were advised to either return to sleep or enjoy their breakfast.

But as detailed in Netflix’s documentary series Trainwreck: Poop Cruise, then the power cut out.

In the given episode, cruise director Jen Baxter explained that everything was off, including simple tasks like brewing tea or toasting bread, as well as complex operations such as propelling the ship. Essentially, she stated that from a technical standpoint, we were merely drifting aimlessly in the water.

The emergency lights switched on, and while it wasn’t ideal without air conditioning, folks could still enjoy being on the deck. However, as Jen remembered, “it was then we found out the bathrooms weren’t functioning properly.

After ensuring safety, crew members discovered upon entering the engine room (where the fire occurred) that the primary power lines of the ship had been consumed by the flames.

Therefore, Jen said, there was “no hope of getting the power back.”

Jen playfully suggested in the documentary that we could urinate in the shower, which she later clarified as saying, “That sounds like a great idea…shower peeing.

But “for the No. 2,” she added, “that was definitely a tricker problem than No. 1.”

In simpler terms, Jen explained that the quick response required distributing red hazard bags to all passengers. They were then told to place these bags in the bins located along the hallway.

You know, after they were used.

“You want me to what?” Triumph passenger Devin Marble remembered thinking at the time.

Abhi, the chef aboard the Triumph, exclaimed, “I could have never imagined in my wildest dreams that I’d find myself having to use a red bag for… well, you know.

Upon our initial voyage, due to the lack of air conditioning within the cabins causing an uncomfortable heat, I found myself joining fellow travelers in moving our mattresses outside onto the deck for a cooler night’s rest.

On February 11th, I, a fervent admirer, found myself elated as Abhi declared that our dedicated kitchen team had discarded the perishables and commenced the creation of sandwiches – no less than 3,000 of them! The sheer magnitude of this culinary endeavor left me in awe.

In the documentary “Triumph,” Hanna, a bartender who hails from what once was the Soviet Union, reminisced about witnessing the scramble for food and mused, “Interesting, now these Americans seem to grasp what it felt like in a country under dictatorship, where events like this aren’t surprising at all.

Due to the power outage, both WiFi and cellular services went down as well. So, when the sister ship, the Carnival Legend, arrived to provide food supplies, the passengers quickly made their way to the upper deck, clutching their phones, in hopes of picking up a signal from the other vessel.

Kalin, during a bachelorette party aboard a vessel, expressed in the Netflix documentary that even a simple trip to the bathroom involved quite a hassle, as they had to use the shower.

Instead of describing, she explained how she took out the beacon from her life jacket, poured soda onto it, thereby causing the emergency light to flash brightly in the dimly lit restroom, resembling a strobe light.

Devin, who found himself on the trip with his fiancée’s family and primarily focused on maintaining a good relationship with his future father-in-law, decided it was best not to use the red bag, considering it inappropriate to relieve himself in a wastebin at this time.

He vowed at the time, “I’m gonna make it.”

On the second day of the predicament, Devin persisted with, “I don’t think I’ll make it.” However, he had caught wind of a tale about functional restrooms somewhere on the vessel. Consequently, he began searching high and low throughout the ship in hopes of finding them.

Ashley, the soon-to-be-wed lady enjoying her bachelorette party with Kalin and friend Jayme, shared that as of February 11 (the second day without power), the water in the shower wasn’t draining away properly and was simply accumulating, “with no place to be discharged.

And passengers were apparently still using the toilets.

Chef Abhi reminisced about discovering a public restroom once, only to find something truly revolting. It seemed layers upon layers of filth, as if someone had made a ‘lasagna’ out of discarded toilet paper and waste. The sight was the most repulsive thing he had ever witnessed in his life.

In the document, it was mentioned that Jen, Abhi, and the rest of the team remembered a suggestion about reviving the bar for complimentary beverages being proposed.

Jen said she was “against the decision” and predicted, per her recollection, “People will go nuts.”

In no time, individuals were “urinating over the ship’s edge,” as Stephen, the Triumph guest services manager, explained, with Abhi adding that he observed people tossing waste-filled plastic bags into the lifeboats.

Initially, according to Carnival PR representative Buck Banks in the book titled “Poop Cruise“, the plan was to issue a brief update to the press stating that the vessel had lost power and the crew were diligently trying to resolve the issue.

There was no mention of the toilets not working in that initial Feb. 10 statement.

The next day, Carnival CEO Gerry Cahill issued a statement reassuring that all passengers are secure, and they are diligently working to ensure their comfort. He deeply regretted the inconvenience, discomfort, and frustration being experienced by the passengers.

But Feb. 11 was when the real news started to trickle in.

According to a recollection made by former CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin, relatives of those on board reached out to various news stations, including CNN, during a specific show. Once they were informed about the true situation, she pointed out that this was when we began referring to it as “a story.

The extensive investigation by CNN on the “poop cruise” incident ended up becoming a standalone news item itself, yet it managed to enhance the network’s ratings regardless.

When the initial rescue tugboat arrived at the Triumph on February 11 and commenced towing, “unexpectedly the weather deteriorated dramatically,” Jen remarked in the documentary, causing her to exclaim, “Goodness gracious me! I mean, really!

Because, as Devin recalled, the “angle of the ship had adjusted, everything tilted to the side.”

Larry Poret, traveling with his daughter Rebekah Poret, expressed in the Netflix series that everything spilled out onto the floor and continued to do so.

Added Devin, “You know what you’re standing in…We were in excrement.”

Toby Barlow, husband of Ann Barlow who was aboard the Triumph, informed CNN that his wife had sent him a message indicating that sewage was flowing on the walls and floor.

Passengers transformed the ship’s deck into a makeshift settlement by setting up temporary dwellings using bedsheets and loungers, while others organized a communal prayer group.

Noted Devin, “You start feeling like a prisoner.”

According to guest services manager Stephen in the Netflix series, a tugboat from Progreso, Mexico, was expected to arrive at the location of the Triumph at midday on February 11th, with the intention of towing the ship for the remainder of the journey to Texas.

In various scenarios, such as employing another vessel for guest transportation, we considered several alternatives. However, the most secure option turned out to be towing the ship back to port, which is what we chose. A large team from different departments is working tirelessly to ensure our passengers return home swiftly.” (Carnival shared this on their Facebook page, as reported by CNN.)

At 12:17 pm, nonetheless, Stephen mentioned receiving a call indicating a change in plans, as the ship named Triumph had strayed over 100 nautical miles and was significantly far from Mexico’s coastline.

It would actually require about two to three days to tug the massive, 900-foot-long vessel named Triumph, towards Mobile, Alabama.

As someone who values safety and efficiency, I believe it’s wiser to navigate towards Mobile, given the powerful currents we’re facing. Trying to pull against them doesn’t seem like a practical choice.

As they approached Mobile on February 14th, Jen mentioned in the document, “People seemed eager to disembark and head home for a warm shower and comfortable bed.

Carnival informed CNN back then that every passenger on the Triumph would receive a full refund, free transportation home, compensation for all related expenses apart from casino and souvenir shop purchases, and an additional credit to use towards a future vacation with them.

Buck, as the spokesperson for the Carnival, remembered in the documents that he had expected a full-blown media scandal once the ship arrived at port.

However, he expressed surprise and relief that numerous people attributed the Carnival crew’s efforts as superhuman.

Initially, the passengers were overjoyed to be back home, although they soon realized that was only the beginning of their journey.

In the Netflix show, Kalin expressed that she would always appreciate having a private bathroom from now on. Later, Ashley gave her bridesmaids unique gifts packed in red biohazard bags.

Rebekah told a news crew at the time, “I feel a little stronger than I was before.”

In the document, Larry, her father, mused over how they could navigate life’s challenges, be they good or difficult, as a team.

Meanwhile, Devin and his father-in-law remain travel buddies to this day.

Despite all the inspiring displays of human resilience following the cruise, several legal actions were initiated afterwards.

In the wake of the cruise, numerous lawsuits were brought about, showcasing a different side of things.

Or lastly:
Following the cruise, it wasn’t just spirits that triumphed; there was also a surge in lawsuits being filed.

Frank Spagnoletti, a maritime lawyer who worked with some of the plaintiffs and secured settlements in these instances, stated in the documentation that this was an incident which could have been avoided entirely, implying we had a strong potential for success. However, the issue is, sometimes you encounter obstacles, like receiving a ticket.

The cruise company firmly objected, stating that by buying the tickets, passengers had agreed to the conditions outlined in the ticket contract, thereby releasing the company from numerous responsibilities for potential liabilities.

However, following the incident on the Triumph, Carnival adjusted their terms and conditions and pledged to make necessary safety enhancements.

12 years ago, the unfortunate incident involving the Carnival Triumph served as a learning experience for the whole cruise industry, according to the company’s statement following the Netflix documentary. A comprehensive investigation post-incident exposed a structural weakness that was addressed and resulted in Carnival Cruise Line investing over $500 million across their entire fleet on upgrades aimed at strengthening fire prevention and suppression systems, increasing redundancy, and enhancing management systems. These improvements are part of our dedication to maintaining stringent safety standards.

They went on to say, “Beyond our rigorous Health, Ecology, Safety, and Security (HESS) guidelines, which serve as a standard across our entire Carnival Corporation fleet, we’re dedicated to maintaining our position at the forefront of the industry in these matters.

Carnival spent $115 million to clean, repair and refit the Triumph, according to the doc.

In 2019, it underwent a name change to become the Carnival Sunrise. Primarily, it sets sail from Miami, heading towards the Bahamas and various regions in the Caribbean.

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2025-06-28 17:17