Poop Cruise Exposed: In-Depth Review of the Infamous Toilet Catastrophe, 12 Years On

Netflix’s recent offerings from the documentary series Trainwreck seem to be giving viewers a slight respite this summer from the typical lineup of chilling true crime stories. Earlier episodes have delved into the chaotic events at Woodstock 99 and the tragic Astroworld festival where ten lives were lost, including that of a young nine-year-old. The series has since shifted its focus.

In its latest episode, we explore Mayor of Mayhem, a story about Rob “I am not a crack addict” Ford, who was indeed the crack-using mayor of Toronto. This episode portrays a side of Canadian municipal politics that deviates sharply from the norm. In the upcoming episodes, viewers can expect to see eclectic topics such as the adventures of balloon boy, a detective agency operated by soccer moms, and what’s been dubbed “the greatest shitpost ever made”. This shift in tone might come as a welcome break for some, or it might strike others as unsettling, especially when such varied themes are woven into a single series.

Poop Cruise, another episode, recounts the ordeal of the Carnival Triumph cruise ship in 2013. An engine room fire left the ship powerless in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, stranding over 4,200 passengers and crew under sweltering conditions for nearly a week due to failed sanitation systems.

The narrative is pieced together using ample archival news footage, capturing a crisis that held the world’s attention. Describing the ship as a “skyscraper on its side,” filled with sewage, the documentary draws on vivid accounts from those on board like Larry and his daughter Rebekah, who were there amidst a family divorce; Devin, who faced the unimaginable with his fiancée and future in-laws; cruise director Jen; bartender Hannah; chef Abhi; and notably Ashley, a bride, alongside her two friends Kalin and Jayme. A decade later, the psychological scars remain unhealed for these individuals.

The grotesque reality saw passengers resorting to defecating in bags. Jen, the cruise director, had to instruct thousands over the PA system to use showers for urinating and red biohazard bags for bowel movements, which were then left in hallways for collection. The surreal experience saw Ashley consuming anti-diarrheal drugs in desperation, while Devin vowed never to face his future father-in-law after such a humiliating ordeal. Chef Abhi grimly compared the blocked toilets stacked with waste to a “lasagne”.

Despite the time passed, the guests interviewed remain humorless and deeply affected by their experience. It’s intriguing to think how different cultures might remember or joke about such an ordeal. While British passengers might have turned it into an epic tale to share, the Americans like Ashley, Kalin, and Jayme seem profoundly unsettled by the memory.

The narrative darkens further when tugboats arrive, causing the ship to tilt and untreated sewage to spill across floors and walls. Opening a free bar on the second day, in hindsight, was also ill-advised, a point Jen, with her English pragmatism, had always opposed.

The sole gleeful spectator is Frank Spagnoletti, a maritime lawyer who saw a professional opportunity in the disaster unfolding from his home in Houston. He remains cryptic about the outcomes but hints at the importance of scrutinizing the fine print on ticket contracts.

For us viewers, the ordeal is condensed into an hour’s viewing that strangely mixes entertainment with disbelief. There’s certainly potential here for a comedic retelling or even a film. And why not envision an international reality show inspired by these events? It seems like a perfect opportunity for some national pride to be showcased or lampooned. Channel 4, take note.

Trainwreck: Poop Cruise is available on Netflix now.