MOBILE, Ala. ? Business owners and officials in this city say they are disappointed that Carnival overlooked their community when planning hotels and flights for passengers expected to leave the Triumph Thursday.
Once the fire-disabled cruise ship docks, passengers will have three choices: take a bus direct to Houston and Galveston, take a bus to New Orleans where Carnival has booked hotel rooms and arranged for charter planes, or exit the cruise terminal to make their own way home.
?Those poor people haven?t showered in five days,? said Maura Garino, vice president of the Holiday Inn Downtown. ?Who wants to get on a bus??
Carnival notified Mobile officials Monday about its plans to tow Triumph to the city, Mayor Sam Jones said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. He told company officials the city would be ready to host the tired passengers and crew ? thousands just left the city?s Mardi Gras celebrations after all ? but he was told Carnival had already made plans for the buses and planes.
Carnival officials announced plans Tuesday that guests would be put up in rooms Thursday night in Mobile and New Orleans. Wednesday, the cruise line released details of the accommodations in a statement, which said all of the 1,500 hotel rooms reserved would be in New Orleans.
Despite feeling snubbed by Carnival, Mobile officials say they are ready to care for the passengers who have had little access to food, toilets and comfort.
?We really want the people on that ship to have a good experience in Mobile after all they?ve been through on that ship,? Jones said.
The cruise terminal will have EMTs on stand by for any passengers that need care, said terminal manager Sheila Gurganus. She said it?s common for people with diabetes or heart problems to overdo it while on a cruise, which is why the on-site paramedics are standard procedure.
Jones also said the city police department, fire department and about 100 civilian volunteers are ready to help, although the dock managed by the U.S. Coast Guard anytime a ship arrives.
Gurganus said family or friends who have come to pick up passengers should park at the terminal?s garage, but advises them not to come before noon.
?They?re guaranteed parking,? Gurganus said. ?We have 500 spaces, and I think that should be enough for anyone that?s being picked up.?
She directed anyone with questions to visit shipmobile.com or to call the terminal at (251) 338-7447.
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