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Stranded Carnival Cruise Passengers Headed to Shore, Eating Spam & Pop Tarts
The Carnival Splendor cruise ship once headed to Puerto Vallarta from Long Beach for a seven-day luxury cruise that suffered an engine fire that knocked out power and stranded guests 200 miles off the coast of San Diego is now being tugged ever-so-slowly to shore. The 4,500 passengers and crew have experienced a different kind of luxury than they signed up for: no air conditioning, no hot water, no cell service, no internet connection, no fancy buffets. Instead they've had to settle for once-not-but-now-working toilets, cold water, Spam and Pop Tarts.
The ship ran out of supplies on Tuesday and received much-needed support from U.S. Navy Sea Hawk helicopters that brought in Spam, crab meat, croissants, Pop Tarts and other supplies from the USS Ronald Reagan that was in the area for training maneuvers and changed-up their route to help out.
No one has been hurt during the ordeal and passengers - many on their first-ever cruise - are eagerly awaiting their arrival in San Diego to re-connect with family, board flights home and put this particular brand of luxury behind them.
Carnival Cruises won't be able to forget as easily. Carnival will refund passenger expenses for the failed cruise in addition to offering vouchers of equal value for future cruises. Carnival has canceled the Nov. 14 seven-day cruise from Long Beach and will offer those passengers a full refund along with a 25 percent discount on a future cruise. They may also have to take the Splendor out of commission for future trips if the fire damage is too extensive.
The 4,500 passengers and crew are expected to arrive in San Diego on Thursday night.
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