Nightly News   |  March 15, 2013

Fourth Carnival ship faces problems

Three ships this week alone – and four including the Triumph, which was towed to Alabama – have all experienced problems with passengers on board. Even so, bookings are up. Carnival’s CEO plans a comprehensive review of the company’s ships. NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez reports.

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>>> more trouble to report tonight for the popular carnival cruise lines . three of its ships have had serious problems this week alone. this comes, of course, weeks after the nightmare trip on the vessel "triumph." our report tonight from nbc's gabe gutierrez.

>> reporter: thousands of carnival passengers on the move.

>> it's not the best way to end a vacation. where else to be stranded but a tropical island?

>> reporter: a cruise line chartering 50 flights for more than 4300 guests stranded since wednesday because of a broken back-up generator.

>> i will never cruise carnival ever again. it's been a really bad experience.

>> reporter: now yet another ship, the "legend" reports problems at sea. a problem wlt propulsion system . the stop in grand cayman cancelled as it heads back to tampa. "elation" reported a steering issue this weekend. this after the disaster above carnival's "triumph" last month. an engine fire stranded 4,200 passengers and crew in the gulf of mexico for five days with no power and no working toilets. the ship was towed to port. since then at least four lawsuits representing more than a dozen passengers. this week senator jay rockefeller , head of the transportation committee, sent a letter to carnival blasting the safety record. at an industry conference, arison promised a review of the ships. carnival is offering a partial refund and half off a future cruise enough for some.

>> we were treated fabulously.

>> reporter: but not for virginia lancaster who never expected her honeymoon to be unforgettable.

>> it's not been a dream. i will tell you that.

>> reporter: gabe gutierrez, nbc news, orlando.