Passengers praise Triumph crew members

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Since the beginning, many passengers who were aboard the crippled Carnival Triumph have complimented the crew onboard for taking care of them throughout the ordeal. 

Some admit conditions were downright disgusting but said the crew definitely tried to lighten the mood by playing games and making jokes.

Passengers walked away from the ship Thursday night in Mobile with some souvenirs to remember the experience.

Among them were the infamous red biohazard bags.

“I'm sure y'all have all seen these? This is the bag that we were told to go to use the restroom in,” said passenger Robin Burgess. “I took it as a souvenir just in case. You know if you ever go on a cruise again these are one of the things you don’t want to leave home without.”

Be it a bed sheet sign written in makeup, or a robe signed by fellow passengers many walked off the triumph with some memorabilia.

One family who drove to Mobile to pick up their loved ones brought shirts that read “I survived the Carnival Triumph.”

Many chose to make light of a very dark couple of days.

“Whenever the fire was going, smoke was billowing out of the tail of the ship,” said Burgess. “Obviously that was very scary and when I went to get my sister in law the doors started shutting automatically signaling there was a fire. it kind of put panic in you.”

For many though the greatest gift was being reunited with loved ones and on Valentine’s Day no less.

Many passengers admit it was frustrating and downright disgusting. Many said, however, they will have stories to tell years from now.