Tag Archives: Galveston in Texas

Carnival Triumph returns to duty!

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Carnival Triumph returns to duty!

The Carnival Triumph has successfully undergone repair-work following its ill-fated engine failure and subsequent problems in Alabama, and is now ready to return to active duty.

Extensive work was required to address damage caused by the engine room fire that left 3,143 passengers and more than 1,000 crew stranded for five days without power in February.

Originally, this work had been scheduled to take place at the BAE Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. However, the ship ran into further problems here, undergoing extensive exterior damage after a freak storm caused the vessel to break free of its moorings and drift into a dredger.

Following these various setbacks, the Triumph was moved to Grand Bahama Shipyard in May, where it could finally undergo the repairs that were required.

As well as being fixed up, the vessel has also been equipped with new emergency power capabilities to avoid a repeat of the February incident, when Carnival came under severe pressure from the cruise industry press after passengers stranded on the ship were left without running water.

It has also been fitted with improved fire safety technology and new operating redundancies that were developed as part of the $300 million (£190 million) fleet-wide review that Carnival carried out after the Triumph incident.

According to Seatrade-Insider, Carnival also took the opportunity while the ship was out of action to give it a bit of a makeover as well, with enhanced dining and bar venues, including a new Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Alchemy Bar and EA Sports Bar.

Upon returning to Galveston in Texas today, the Triumph will now resume its schedule of cruises to Cozumel and Progreso in the Caribbean.

But while the ship may look as good as new, it appears that passengers have not yet forgiven and forgotten. In fact, a recent poll of US adults by Harris Interactive indicated that people are less trusting of major cruise lines than they were before the Triumph incident. Unsurprisingly, faith in Carnival Cruises appears to have been shaken the most.

How do you feel about the state of the industry and its major players following the Triumph debacle?

 

Engine fire leaves Carnival cruise ship powerless

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Engine fire leaves Carnival cruise ship powerless

By Phil Davies

Engine fire leaves Carnival cruise ship powerlessCarnival Cruise Lines ship Carnival Triumph was left powerless 150 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico after an engine room fire.

The 3,143 passengers were remaining in the ship’s public areas and open decks. They were being provided with food and refreshments.

The ship’s automatic fire extinguishing systems activated and the blaze was contained to the aft engine room before being extinguished.

No casualties or injuries to guests or crew have been reported, Carnival said.

“The vessel is currently without propulsion and the ship is operating on emergency generator power,” the cruise line said on Sunday night.

All appropriate authorities including the US Coast Guard have been notified

“The ship’s technical crew is continuing to assess the damage and attempting to restore power. In the meantime, a tugboat is being dispatched to the ship’s location in the event it is needed,” a company statement said.

The vessel, with 1,086 crew on board, was on a four-day cruise from Galveston in Texas. The next cruise due to depart on Monday has been cancelled.

Passengers on the ship are being offered a full refund inclusive of gratuities and any transportation expenses.

Passengers on the cancelled sailing are being given the option of cancelling and receiving a full refund or waiting for further information to determine if a shortened, partial voyage may be possible.

In an updated statement Carnival said a tugboat had been called out to tow Carnival Triumph to the nearest port at Progreso in Mexico. It is due to arrive on Wednesday afternoon when passengers will be flown back to the US.

Another Carnival ship, Carnival Elation, was sent to transfer additional food and drink to the powerless vessel.

Carnival said: “We have contacted the designated emergency contacts for all guests presently on board Carnival Triumph.”

The next two voyages of Carnival Triumph, due to depart today (Monday) and February 16 have now been cancelled.

Carnival said: “Guests scheduled to sail on either of those voyages will receive a full refund, reimbursement for non-refundable travel expenses and a 25% discount on a future three to five-day cruise.”