Weary and miserable, sickened by the stench of sewage, the last of more than 3,000 passengers walked off a hobbled cruise ship Friday after tugboats lugged it to the Alabama shore and finally brought an end to a five-day floating nightmare.

The future of cruises looks bright. North Americans still go on more cruises than any other nationality, but in a few years' time, the Chinese, who, as of this week, can now opt for a vacation on the homegrown company HNA Cruises' liner Henna, may overtake them.