The truth behind the 'Poop Cruise': documentary reveals dramatic fates!

The truth behind the 'Poop Cruise': documentary reveals dramatic fates!

The story of the disastrous 2013 Carnival Triumph cruise incident will soon be revisited in the documentary Trainwreck: Poop Cruise on Netflix. On June 24, 2025, the streaming service will air an episode that deals with the horrific experiences of passengers and crew members on board. The original cruise departed Galveston, Texas on February 7, 2013 with 3,143 passengers and 1,086 crew members and was originally scheduled to be a four-day voyage to Progreso, Mexico, ending on February 11.

But on February 10, a fire broke out in the cruise ship's engine room, caused by a leaking fuel line. This incident resulted in four of six engines failing and the ship becoming unable to maneuver. While the automatic extinguishing system quickly brought the fire under control, the passengers drifted in a nightmare characterized by clogged toilets and an unbearable stench.

Terrible conditions at sea

The hygienic conditions on board deteriorated rapidly. There was sewage in the aisles and some of the passengers had to sleep outside under makeshift tents because there was no cooked food on board. The ship was soon dubbed the “Poop Cruise,” a name that did justice to the hardships the travelers endured. As a result, the shipping company Carnival Cruise Lines faced harsh criticism and a wave of lawsuits from passengers demanding compensation beyond the refunds and free cruises offered.

The rescue operation for the stranded ship b did not begin until February 14, when the ship was finally able to dock in Mobile, Alabama. During repairs in the port, another accident occurred when the ship was torn away by strong winds and subsequently damaged several other ships. Tragically, a BAE Systems employee died in this collision with a harbor pier.

The look back and the personal perspective

Carnival's simultaneous emergency response, which dispatched other ships to bring food, water and medical assistance, received intense media coverage. The new episode of the Netflix documentary won't just focus on this media coverage, however; she wants to bring the personal stories and experiences of the passengers and crew to the fore. Netflix emphasizes that the documentary is about putting a face to the people who were caught in this traumatic situation.

The “Carnival Triumph”, which had been in operation since 1999, was extensively renovated in 2019 and given the new name “Carnival Sunrise”. However, the dramatic events that took place during this cruise do not allow the legal disputes and the shadow over the shipping company to fade. The legal dispute is still not over, while the view of the unpleasant episode in cruise history continues to be engraved in the public consciousness.

For those who want to know the full story behind the infamous "Poop Cruise," the documentary promises a deeper insight into the human aspect of those chaotic days.