It was a cruise to remember but one most, if not all, of the passengers would rather forget.
The nightmare of the Carnival Triumph has ended but the horrific stories about what the passengers experienced as the disabled ship drifted at sea -- are simply incredible.
One of those passengers is back home in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan.
Jonathan Rosenberg of Washington Heights is finally back home. While some called the cruise "pure hell", he has a different perspective.
Rosenberg and his girlfriend were among the 4,200 passengers and crew aboard the Carnival Triumph. The 14-story ship lost power after a fire broke out.
"I looked outside and there was a man yelling ‘get out, there's smoke -- please get your life jackets, get upstairs.'"
For five days, the powerless shipped limped towards land. Passengers were forced to sleep on the upper deck in a makeshift tent like city because the smell was so bad.
"There was definitely some sewage. The floor was wet and not knowing what it was."
Despite the sewage, Jonathan made new friends and won a trivia contest. Maybe it's his New Yorker nature or his love of nature, but Jonathan says as bad as some people say the cruise was -- he likened it to camping.
"It could have been so much worse."
Carnival Cruise Lines will issue a full refund, and offer a $500 credit for another cruise to all of the passengers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:53 GMT
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
The New York jury on which Caroline Kennedy served has acquitted a man of dealing crack cocaine. Kennedy was juror No. 7 at the trial of Harlem resident Nelson Chatman.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:51 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:51:26 GMT
The Metropolitan Opera says it's decided to disband its resident ballet company.
The Metropolitan Opera says it's decided to disband its resident ballet company. The American Guild of Musical Artists said the eight remaining dancers of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet have accepted buyout packages.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:05:22 GMT
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:57 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:57:40 GMT
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:54 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:54:45 GMT
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard."
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard": it will stretch from 44th Street on Broadway all the way to 34th Street.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:21:42 GMT
A new photo exhibit at an art gallery in Chelsea is drawing the ire of residents who are the artist's subjects, unknowingly.
A new photo exhibit at an art gallery in Chelsea is drawing the ire of residents who are the artist's subjects, unknowingly. The artist, Arne Svenson, is reportedly taking the photos through their TriBeCa building windows. In some photos, the residents are bending over, sleeping and cleaning.
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