Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Triumph returns to service June 13 following extensive repairs and upgrades after an engine room fire Feb. 10 and subsequent loss of power for several days. The ship floated for several days in the Gulf of Mexico before it was towed into Mobile, Ala., on Feb. 14.
The ship was further damaged when it broke from its moorings in a severe storm April 3 in Mobile. Carnival said it invested $115 million into the ship, enhancing emergency power capabilities, adding new fire safety technology and improving the level of operating redundancies so vital hotel services will work when primary power is out. During the Triumph incident, passengers did without air-conditioning, lights, some toilets and hot food on occasion.The ship arrived in Galveston on June 12 and on June 13 will resume its year-round schedule of four- and five-day cruises to Mexico.
After the fire, Carnival reviewed its 24 ships and on April 17 announced a $300 million fleetwide program to expand the availability of hotel services when a ship loses power and to reinforce key shipboard operating systems to prevent a potential loss of primary power. The initiative includes upgrades to the most technologically advanced fire suppression systems; a second emergency back-up generator on every ship to power toilets, elevators and food service equipment; and the reconfiguration of systems to ensure redundancy in propulsion and main power supplies.
The 2,758 passenger ship operates year-round four-and five-day Caribbean cruises from Galveston. To celebrate Carnival Triumph’s return, a number of giveaways and special events for guests are being held onboard prior to today’s departure. Celebrity comedian and Carnival’s “curator of comedy” George Lopez will perform two matinee shows in the main show lounge for embarking guests. In addition, guests can participate in a shipboard scavenger hunt or compete in a hamburger-making contest at the newly installed Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint located poolside.
With files from Travel Pulse.
See more at Carnival Cruise Lines: Carnival Triumph