Netflix Revisits ‘Poop Cruise’ Horror in New Docuseries
By fypfeed | Movies & TV | 5 June 2025
An upcoming Netflix documentary will reopen an one of the more frightening travel tales in the history of modern times The infamous”poop” cruise of 2013 “poop cruise” which saw nearly 4000 passengers were stranded in the sea with an overflowing bathroom, a shortage of food and miserable conditions.
A Cruise That Became a Nightmare
The initial plan was to take a luxury four-day trip between Texas towards Mexico on Carnival Triumph Carnival Triumph quickly turned into an unplanned disaster. An engine room shut off the power of the ship leaving passengers in darkness and denying them refrigeration, air conditioning, or toilets.
The vessel was stranded by the breakdown for a few days. The sewage systems were failing and waste leaking into the hallways. Makeshift toilets – red biohazard bags were handed out to guests. What was supposed to be a fun day in the sun turned into an island survival camp.
Netflix’s ‘Trainwreck’ Series Returns
The incident is now the focus of Trainwreck the Netflix anthology series focused on unravelling the shocking reality of incidents. Each episode examines an important disaster, and explores not only the facts, but also the human tales of the people who caused the incidents.
This first series, which premiered in 2022, explored how chaos erupted at Woodstock 1999. The series is back with weekly episodes that cover Astroworld and the fall of American Apparel, and the famous Poop Cruise.
The show, appropriately called “Poop Cruise”–airs on the 24th of June. Staff, survivors and experts share their experiences of how a cruise ship turned into an underwater nightmare.
The Fire That Sparked Chaos
The problem began when fire began to spread in the engine room of the Triumph. The fire was put out however it damaged the essential power cables, which left the vessel in a state of disarray.
Without power the vessel could not get essential services. The lights were out. Kitchens shut down. The air conditioning was not working during the scorching Gulf of Mexico heat. Toilets — essential for the thousands of passengers – were not working at all.
People who travel with us have been told to empty their waste into buckets or bags. The conditions quickly deteriorated as raw sewage began to spill into cabins and corridors.
‘It Got Bad Fast’
In a clip that previews viewers recall the harrowing scenario.
- “I would never expect having to poop in a red bag,” one of the passengers states.
- A crew member recalls: “There really was nowhere to go when nature called.”
The cabins were deemed unusable due to the smell, families moved onto the deck and created an “shantytown” of makeshift shelters. Food supplies were scarce at the time the sandwiches of cucumber and onion were the only options available.
One survivor summarised it: “It got bad fast.”
Revolt at Sea
The shortage of resources and sanitation caused disturbances. The 2013 reports detailed the extent to which tensions increased among travelers and some fighting over the scarce resources.
Netflix’s documentary exposes how crew and guests improvised to ensure order. The passengers built tents on the deck while chefs attempted to expand the food supply.
The chaos, along with the stench and terror resulted in a psychological stress nearly as severe as the physical pain.
Carnival Responds
In the midst of this, Carnival Cruise Line faced international criticism. The then-CEO Gerry Cahill issued a public apology:
“We take pride in providing our guests with a wonderful vacation, and it is clear that we didn’t do that in this particular instance. The incident onboard was a challenge and we’re sorry for what transpired. .”
Carnival organized for passengers to be escorted home to US after the vessel was town to Alabama. The reputational damage lingered for years, establishing the Triumph accident as one the most notorious cruise accidents ever.
Why This Story Still Matters
For Netflix it is reviving the cruise to poop is not only about dazzling specifics. The show is designed to look at the speed at which human systems can fall apart when infrastructure fails.
Similar to Woodstock ’99 or Astroworld, the Carnival Triumph disaster is remembered as a warning sign: when companies put profits first or fail to prepare for emergency situations, the people who live in the community have to pay the price.
Survivors Speak Out
The first-hand account is the most important part of the documentary. Many passengers recall feces that were smeared on the walls and sour smells. Some describe frustration, fear and a feeling of being abandoned.
Crew members also have their experiences: chefs being having to make up meals on the fly staff struggling to keep order, and a group that suddenly finds itself in crisis with no resources.
Their voices are not only a reflection of the physical pain, but the emotional repercussions–anger, anxiety and relief once the experience was over.
A Broader Trend of Disaster TV
Netflix has had great success with its real-life disaster tales. People are drawn by stories of chaos that expose the human behavior in times of stress.
From fake events to political tumults, Trainwreck thrives in exposing the ridiculous and gruesome aspects of contemporary life. The “poop cruise” episode follows this formula: shocking, disgusting yet impossible to look away from.
Release Date
Trainwreck Poop Cruise will debut all over the world at June 24 2025. Each new episode of the season will air each week, as Netflix continues its trend of streaming events.
If you’re thinking about making a booking for an excursion, the timing could be a bit tense. The show promises to make viewers aware of how fast luxury can become a nightmare when issues arise on the sea.
