Breaking News: Another Carnival Cruise Ship Stuck in the Caribbean

By Michael Andre Adams

Just last month, Carnival’s Triumph cruise ship remained powerless in the middle of the Gulf Sea for days. Today, Carnival’s Dream remains dockside in St. Maarten, following yesterday’s discovery of a technical issue with the ship’s emergency diesel generator.

Passengers on board complained of feces infestation as a result of backed up and malfunctioning toilets throughout the ship. Elevators were also said to remain powerless.

Despite the gross inconvenience, passengers were not allowed to disembark for safe and sanitary refuge in St. Maarten.

Currently, the ship remains disabled due to the same technical issue, with all passengers still aboard.

An official statement from Carnival was released a short while ago today as follows…

Carnival Dream Statement #2

March 14, 2013 – 10:45 a.m. EDT

The Carnival Dream has a technical issue with the ship’s backup emergency diesel generator which our engineering team is currently working on.  Yesterday, during regularly scheduled testing of the ship’s emergency diesel generator, a malfunction occurred.  At no time did the ship lose power and the ship’s propulsion systems and primary power source was not impacted.  The ship is at dock in St. Maarten.  All guests are safe and comfortable.  There were periodic interruptions to elevators and restroom services for a few hours last night.  However, all hotel systems are functioning normally and have been functional since approximately 12.30am.

While personnel continue to work on the technical issue we are making arrangements to fly all guests home via private charter flights and scheduled flights from St. Maarten.  Guests on the current voyage will receive a refund equivalent to three days of the voyage and 50 percent off a future cruise.

We are  also cancelling the ship’s next voyage which is scheduled to depart on Saturday, March 16. Guests scheduled to sail on this cruise will receive a full refund and 25 percent off a future seven-day cruise.  Guests who re-book will have their current rate protected on the future sailing.
Additionally, any non-refundable transportation related expenses will be reimbursed.

Yesterday was a scheduled port of call visit to St. Maarten.  Guests were able to spend the full day in port and have the option of continuing to do so until their scheduled return home.  All of the ship’s activities and facilities are fully operational.

We are very sorry for this disruption to our guests’ vacation plans and extend our sincere apologies.  We look forward to welcoming them back on another Carnival cruise.

The Carnival Dream was on the last leg of a seven-day cruise and was docked in St. Maarten when the technical problem arose.  The ship is based in Port Canaveral, Fla.