First, it was Triumph.

Then, Elation.

Then, Dream.

And now, Legend.

While those are happy names for cruise ships, some Carnival Cruise Lines passengers say their recent onboard experiences belie the names.

In yet another setback for the cruise line, the Carnival Legend is having technical difficulties that are affecting its sailing speed. It's the latest in a growing list of woes for the travel company.

The Legend was on the last leg of a seven-day Caribbean cruise that departed Tampa, Florida, on Sunday. In a month's time, three other Carnival cruise ships have reported problems.

Carnival Dream lost power and some toilets stopped working Wednesday, and no one was allowed to get off the vessel docked at Philipsburg, St. Maarten, in the eastern Caribbean. Carnival says it is flying the more than 4,000 passengers back to Florida and will give them discounts.

Carnival Elation had to be escorted by a tugboat Saturday because of a malfunction in its steering system, the cruise company said.

And in the most publicized case, last month, an engine room fire left the Carnival Triumph crippled and adrift in the Gulf of Mexico with more than 4,200 people aboard. That scheduled four-day cruise stretched into eight days as tugs pulled the vessel into port in Alabama. Food was scarce, and passengers sweltered in the heat.

Passengers losing patience

Because of the problems on the Legend, Carnival said it had canceled a scheduled stop in Grand Cayman and the ship will make its trek back to its scheduled final destination in Tampa.

Even though the vessel is expected to arrive on schedule Sunday, some people on board are losing patience, passenger Rob Bonenfant said.

"Passengers are now really pissed off," he said via e-mail. "Mood on the ship is getting worse among passengers, captain is giving limited information."

Carnival has promised to refund $100 to passengers and give them other refunds and discounts.

"Carnival Legend is experiencing a technical issue with one of the ship's Azipod units that is affecting the vessel's sailing speed," the cruise company said. "The ship's safety systems and hotel services are all functioning normally."

The Azipod, a crucial part for steering and propelling a vessel, was the same issue that hampered the Carnival Elation on Saturday.

"Carnival is really screwing this up," Bonenfant said. "Many have already said they will not book again with Carnival."

Crisis communication expert Tom Donahue, an executive at the Porter Novelli public relations firm, said Carnival may be making the right operational decisions. However, the frequency and effectiveness of communications to passengers -- who have no other information source -- are what influences the passengers' perspective.

Stuck in the Caribbean