Survivors of the notorious “Poop Cruise” have expressed that the Netflix documentary on their experience fails to convey the true nightmare they faced during four harrowing days at sea without adequate food, sanitation, or basic comfort. One passenger, Tay Redford, now 24, described it as “the most frightening thing I’ve ever experienced.”
The cruise, meant to be a fun trip from Texas to Mexico, descended into chaos following a fire in the engine compartment that caused a significant electrical failure. This left more than 4,000 passengers and crew members navigating through an appalling environment filled with urine and feces, ultimately sleeping on the deck. The documentary titled “Train Wreck: Poop Cruise” is set to premiere on June 24th.
After watching the trailer, Tay felt disappointed, stating, “I’m hurt.” She was only 12 when the ship lost power, plunging passengers into darkness amid overflowing sewage and basic necessities running low.
Reflecting on the aftermath, Tay noted that Carnival did not provide meaningful support for those affected. The trauma still lingers, and she is concerned that the documentary does not adequately represent the survivors’ experiences.
“From what I could see, it doesn’t even scratch the surface,” she mentioned. “It’s just carnival workers telling their side of the story.” For her, it feels exploitative, profiting off something that profoundly affected her.
The incident occurred on February 10, 2013, when a fire in the AFT engine room of the Carnival Triumph led to a critical failure, losing all propulsion. Passengers were left adrift in the Gulf of Mexico for four days, with sewage flooding cabins and essential services collapsing as the ship was towed to Mobile, Alabama.
Tay was on board with family, expecting a joyful holiday that quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal. “That was the most fear I’ve ever felt,” she recalled. “I was just a kid, but it was terrifying.” The power outage left the ship entirely dark, forcing families to flee their cabins due to the overwhelming stench.
“My immediate thought was that we were sinking. I was crying, desperately trying to find my parents in the dark,” she said, describing the chaos they encountered. The family eventually camped on the top deck, deprived of proper food and hygiene facilities.
The situation escalated, with many passengers becoming frustrated and aggressive due to a lack of communication and resources. Tay noted that some individuals resorted to “throwing fluids on the boat” as tensions rose.
Staff were reportedly locked in rooms with sewage, with little food and trash accumulating. Carnival’s response was lackluster at best. Tay shared that her family received a call: “They just wanted to say that there was a fire on board and that everyone was on an extended holiday.” There was no mention of the chaos unfolding.
Toward the end, Tay’s brother came up with a creative solution, suggesting they make tents from bed sheets to shield themselves from the sun. Eventually, they were towed into port after days of distressing conditions.
While Carnival offered some compensation, including $500 and a travel refund, Tay said this response fell woefully short of addressing the trauma endured. “Carnival never reached out – never,” she lamented. “They gave them $500 and that was it. It felt like they wanted everyone to forget.” The minimal outreach from Carnival led to feelings of abandonment among survivors.
The experience left lasting scars for Tay, leading to long-term anxiety and trauma, especially related to the ocean. Looking forward, she is resolute: “I will never go on a cruise again.”
