Texarkana teen stranded on cruise ship

A Texarkana teen is among the thousands of a stranded passengers on a cruise ship slowly being towed in from the Gulf.

The ship left Galveston last Thursday, but an engine-fire on board has left them adrift since Sunday.

Merle Page says his granddaughter Ashley was looking forward to a four day cruise on the Caribbean, not a seven day nightmare on the high seas.

Page last talked with Ashley on Tuesday, but says cellphone service was poor.

Ashley, who lives with her grandfather in Texarkana, Arkansas, is on the Carnival Cruise Ship, Triumph, with her mother and siblings from Hooks, Texas.

She told her grandfather the sewer was backed-up and they didn't have much food.

"I hope they don't get sick or anything, being in that kind of condition. I've just been praying for her everyday," said Page.

A statement posted on Carnival's website says that all guests will given a full refund for the cruise and transportation expenses and a discount on their next Carnival Cruise.