Carnival plans $300 million in ship improvements
BY BETH J. HARPAZ | AP Travel Editor April 17, 2013 1:26PM
The disabled Carnival Lines cruise ship Triumph being towed to harbor off Mobile Bay, Ala. The company announced a $300 million program to upgrade all 24 of its ships. | AP Photo
Updated: April 17, 2013 1:57PM
NEW YORK — Carnival Cruise Lines is announcing a $300 million program to add emergency generators, upgrade fire safety and improve engine rooms on all 24 of its ships.
The announcement Wednesday could help the brand begin rebounding from a wave of bad publicity that began in February, when an engine fire knocked out power on the Carnival Triumph.
Passengers endured filthy conditions as the Triumph was towed to Mobile, Ala., resurrecting stories of a similar incident from 2010 aboard the Carnival Splendor. Cruise sellers say prices for Carnival cruises have dropped.
Carnival said the first phase of improvements involves installing an additional emergency generator on every ship. Carnival is also installing high-pressure upgraded water mist systems on all ships to improve fire safety.
