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West Texans Stranded at Sea On Board Carnival "Triumph" Share Their Story
West Texans Stranded at Sea On Board Carnival "Triumph" Share Their Story 2/14/13
fbolton@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News Reporter
February 14, 2013
MIDLAND, TX – Gail Coffee and Greta Olivier say their free trip from their job turned into a nightmare when a small fire broke out on board.
They say the Carnival ship “Triumph” lost power and came to a stand still for days.
"The elevators went out and we had no electricity, " said Gail Coffee, a West Texan on board the ship.
Passengers on board say they had no electricity and scare food. The West Texas friends say that living in filth for nearly a week was only the beginning to the trip turned wrong.
"We were peeing in the shower or in the sink. We had to use a garbage bag for number two… we didn't even have drinking water for a couple of days. It was very scarce," said Coffee.
"It has been very hard, especially when we have to urinate or use the bathroom. We have to go in a can and make sure that we wrap it in a plastic bag. We put it outside of our door of the cabin…some people are sleeping there. We have no other choice but put it close to them,” said Olivier.
The pair along with more than 3,000 guests on the boat ate soggy sandwiches, until a helicopter flew in providing guests with steaks and lobsters.
Coffee says they were the lucky, in comparison to how some passengers suffered.
"I talked to a gentleman one day and he had four children … they had 2 inches of sewage in their cabin that was down on deck two,” stated Coffee.
The friends say that many on board were scared for their safety and this is the last Carnival cruise they will ever take.
In a statement by Carnival, the say they will reimburse all passengers and add additional compensation for the trip. But Coffee says that’s not enough to make up for the crippling cruise and possible lawsuits on the way.
"But I don't think that's going to be enough for some people to sign a waiver [not to sue],” said Coffee.
The pair did not confirm if they would sue the company yet. Their main concern now is returning home to Midland.
Tonight they will be staying in New Orleans until they can come back to West Texas.