Calgary teen Rebecca McDade wanted to make her 18th birthday a memorable one when she got her mother and sister to join her on a cruise trip.
The trio ended up being among the thousands of passengers stranded in the Mexican Riviera when the Carnival Splendor cruise ship they were aboard lost power Monday after a fire in the engine room.
The passengers returned to dry land in San Diego Thursday, cheering and waving as the disabled ship was towed back to port.
The family said they spent those three days before the rescue wandering the ship since their room had no windows and no light.
Because of limited food supplies, they ate only cold cereal for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch and dinner.
The trip wasn't all bad, they added, as they played cards to pass the time and watched people dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller on deck.
Carnival Cruise Lines assured that there was never a moment when the crew or guests were in harm's way, though they added it was not a comfortable cruise for anyone.
