While it seemed the entire country was watching the horrible drama of the disabled Carnival Cruise ship, "Triumph" unfold on television, we just ran down to the Fairhope Pier and saw it with our own eyes.
This is one of the groups of people who were gathered at the Fairhope Pier watching The Triumph being towed into port. I didn't have my zoom lens with me, so I couldn't get a good photo,
but the ship was clearly visible from our shore.
The poor passengers had been stranded at sea for days with very little food, running water or electricity. The crippled ship was being towed into the port of Mobile, and was on the last leg of its rerouted trip up the 30 mile length of Mobile Bay.
Mobile Bay
Ironic that the Alabama Port Authority in Mobile was being used to save a Carnival Cruise ship, since just the year before, Carnival Cruise Lines mysteriously deemed Mobile unsuitable for operations, and pulled all cruise business from the city.
Adding insult, Carnival arranged to have buses waiting to drag the passengers another two hours to spend the night in New Orleans, when Mobile already had beautiful, clean hotel rooms available.
But were we bitter? On the contrary. Local folks ran around all day, collecting clean clothing and snacks to donate to the dog —tired passengers. A bakery in Daphne offered to bake cupcakes for the waiting family members. There couldn't have been a nicer place to touch dry land. Alabama really is a Sweet Home.
This photo by Gerald Herbert shows the Triumph earlier in the day as it passed through the mouth of Mobile Bay near Dauphin Island.
Hey, what was I supposed to do?
Reservations were hard to get, and I had already put on heels.
I felt a few pangs of guilt as I read over the courses, and thought of the exhausted cruise passengers waiting four hours to get a cold sandwich, but I knew that the disheveled travelers would soon be safe and sound.
I had the Flounder, my Sweetheart had the Duck.
Fig and Cornbread Stuffed Quail
I'm glad the weary passengers are safely home.
I hope they get a belated Valentine's dinner as good as mine.
I hope they get a belated Valentine's dinner as good as mine.
And I doubt it will be on Carnival Cruise Lines.
Find this story at Mockingbird Hill Cottage, Lovely Craft Home, The Gingerbread Blog and Common Ground.
14 comments:
Your Valentine's dinner looks delicious! We, too, were confused as to why the cruise passengers were being taken to Houston or New Orleans instead of hotels in Mobile! Very strange, but as usual, the gracious Mobilians extended their warm Southern hospitality to those poor folks. I love the South!
So glad these folks made it to land safe and sound. I sure hope we are charging them a huge price to dock here and then another huge rice to repair their ship...since they have been so rude to us...time after time. We watched it on CNN for a few hours...maybe we should have headed down there. Went in the antique shop yesterday and found your booth...looks great!
Blessings,
Linda
This cruise ship tragedy is horrid. I have watched the PBS special on big ships and that will make one think twice about cruising. Joe and I have been on two lovely cruises though. Bravo for the citizens of Mobile for offering such a warm reception. You dined in fine fashion last night. We had pizza:}
I am so happy that the passengers of the Triumph had you Mobilans (is that a correct term) to welcome them home after such an ordeal.
Yes, Mobilians is correct, and "Fairhopers" is the correct, but often debated term we use in Fairhope on this side of the Bay!
Thanks for the details! I love maps!
Yesterday afternoon I read on CNN...who said "what are the odds" that one of the buses or THE bus going to New Orleans broke down on the way for further delays.
Thanks for sharing this personal news piece, I think we've all been following this nightmare story all week and feeling the pain of the passengers. So proud of Mobile for "doing the right thing" and reaching out to help. Since I suffer with severe seasickness, I'll never go on a cruise, but if I did it would not be with Carnival (just had to say that;)
Hugs ~ Mary
Thanks for sharing this. I am visiting from A Favorite Thing at Claudia's blog. I never heard one good thing about Carnival cruises, but when I mentioned this on FB I saw lots of responses from folks who said it was the best! I'd never book one, even before this epic fail. Your Valentine's dinner looked wonderful. xo
We've cruised a couple of times, and it was a great experience. Those poor folks ~ some may never get over it.
On a happy note, your Valentines dinner looked like it was delish ~ glad you enjoyed it. Guilt free!
Hey chick! I'm selecting you as one of the recepients of the Leibster Award for up and coming bloggers. Check my site out for more information on passing this award on. This isn't a gimmick! LOL ----> I hope you'll join!
Amber @ The Honeysuckle Bus Stop
www.thehoneysucklebusstop.blogspot.com
I've never been on a cruise! Maybe that's a good thing.
I love the heartwarming way the locals reached out to all those passengers, who must have been so, so weary and discouraged.
Thanks so much for joining in this week.
xo
Claudia
Wow! This is an eye opening post. Very interesting details that you shared. Congrats on the Leibster Award. I'm following you now...very interested to see your answers and questions for fellow newbies.
melinda
Cool post! I enjoyed reading it, thanks for sharing!
Post a Comment