Worse, the board moved into a smaller room that cut off public observation.

CNN: Mob Scene in Miami

In the biggest high-profile incident in the U.S. in recent years, more than 3, 000 passengers aboard the Carnival Splendor were towed to shore in 2010 by a Mexican tugboat after an engine-room fire cut off the ship's electricity.

WSJ: Cruise Operators See Shares Fall, Defend Safety

If the cut off date has passed, the room rate, and allotment of rooms has already been turned back into the hotel, and is no longer available.

FORBES: Why I Hate Travel Agencies