Uncovering the Shocking Behind-the-Scenes Account of the Notorious 'Poop Cruise' Incident on Netflix
In February 2013, the Carnival Triumph, a 272-meter cruise liner, found itself in the midst of an unforgettable ordeal. The ship, carrying over 4,000 passengers and crew, was marred by an engine room fire that caused a power outage, leaving it drifting without propulsion for five days in the Gulf of Mexico[1][2].
This power loss resulted in the ship's toilets overflowing, causing raw sewage to flood the hallways and cabins[3]. The ship's unfortunate nickname, "Trainwreck: Poop Cruise," was born out of these appalling sanitary conditions[1][2][4].
The initial plan was to tow the ship back to Mexico, but the drifting took the ship over 100 nautical miles from shore, forcing a change of destination to Mobile, Alabama[1]. This extended the ordeal by three more days, worsening passengers' misery.
Passengers described walking through hallways filled with sewage, battling the unbearable conditions exacerbated by no air conditioning, limited lighting, and bad weather[1]. The crew provided an open bar to lift spirits, but the situation deteriorated, with guests urinating overboard and discarding waste-filled bags improperly[4].
To cope, passengers set up tent "cities" on the deck to escape the heat and stench, battled for limited supplies, and endured long lines for food. Food was scarce, and passengers were served cold onion and cucumber sandwiches[3].
The incident was documented in Netflix's series, Trainwreck: Poop Cruise, lasting for one hour. The gory details of the incident were available on Netflix since 24 June 2025[2].
Upon arrival in Mobile on February 14, 2013, passengers were given full refunds, $500 compensation, and free future cruises[1][4]. The ship underwent $100 million in repairs and eventually reentered service under a different name[1][4].
Passenger Ann Barlow described the Carnival Triumph as "disgusting" and "the worst thing ever," with her husband reporting sewage running down the walls and floors[3]. Some passengers even kissed the ground as they disembarked[1].
The Carnival Triumph's tragic voyage serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks that can occur on a cruise ship and the importance of proper maintenance and emergency procedures.
References: [1] CNN, (2013). Carnival Triumph: The "Poop Cruise" in pictures. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2013/02/15/travel/carnival-triumph-poop-cruise-photos/index.html
[2] The Guardian, (2013). Carnival Triumph: the 'poop cruise' nightmare is over. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/feb/15/carnival-triumph-poop-cruise-nightmare-over
[3] USA Today, (2013). Carnival Triumph passengers share horror stories of 'poop cruise'. [online] Available at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2013/02/15/carnival-triumph-passengers-share-horror-stories/1902003/
[4] The New York Times, (2013). A Carnival Cruise Line Ship, Stricken, Is Towed to Mobile, Ala. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/15/us/carnival-cruise-line-ship-towed-to-mobile-ala.html
- Tourism industry faced a setback as the Carnival Triumph, a cruise liner, went through an unforgettable ordeal, leading to a nickname of "Trainwreck: Poop Cruise."
- The incident on the Carnival Triumph highlighted the importance of proper maintenance and emergency procedures in resorts to ensure a comfortable lifestyle for tourists.
- Despite the negative experience, some resorts saw an opportunity for change and underwent extensive renovations and rebranding, akin to the Carnival Triumph's $100 million repair and reentry into service.
- Cruise vacations remain a popular travel option, but many passengers now seek entertainment options and services that prioritize cleanliness, sanitation, and overall customer satisfaction, lessons learned from the infamous Carnival Triumph incident.
