I find it hard to believe, but some really strange things are going on in Mobile, Alabama. A cruise ship sailed out of there recently with "propulsion problems." It was loaded with tourists who had signed up to sail to two ports in Mexico. They didn't get that far. The ship parked 60 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico and sat there rocking everybody into seasickness for four days or so. Then it was towed back to Mobile.

So what would you expect? No, they didn't put it in dry dock. They just unloaded their passengers and started bringing on people who had signed up for the next cruise. A few days before, those new victims had been informed that the ship had "propulsion problems" and would only be going to Key West. Some actually showed up for the cruise, but they were met by the old passengers saying things like "The ship is filthy." "That tub ain't going anywhere." Don't get on that ship" or "The water is brown."

Some demanded refunds but others actually boarded and the ship left, limping along slowly under it's own power. I heard rumors that it was towed back in the next day.

As an experienced cruiser (12 cruises) I find it hard to believe. Every ship I ever sailed on was spotless. The water was clear, and everything worked. The crews were competent, the service was excellent, and the food was great. I have never been diverted from a scheduled port.

However, I have never sailed on a ship of that line, and I doubt that I ever will.

No, seriously, I did not make that up.
Howard