UPDATE (February 14, 2012 - 9:03 P.M.)
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -Dozens of chartered buses from several Gulf Coast states have gathered in the port of Mobile, near where a disabled cruise ship under tow is expected to dock in coming hours.
The buses with markings from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, appeared to be part of a plan by the Carnival cruise company to transport many disembarking passengers from the ship to Louisiana and Texas.
When passengers of the ill-fated Triumph arrive at Mobile's terminal, their stay will be short. Carnival said passengers would be given the option of boarding buses directly to the Texas cities of Galveston or Houston - a roughly seven-hour drive - or taking a two-hour bus ride to New Orleans in Louisiana.
Galveston is listed as the ship's home port.
Carnival has canceled the next 12 scheduled sailings on the Triumph.
The cruise ship has been at sea for a week. An engine-room fire Sunday left the ship powerless. More than 4,000 people are on board the Triumph, and passengers face long bus rides or other travel hassles to get home once they arrive in Alabama.
