Cruise ships have 4 or 5 giant engines. Two of them run giant big generators

Cruise ships also have helicopter landing pads, where they probably could have brought in a sizable generator to provide additional power. But are they wired to accept such a hook-up? And could such a generator be secured to avoid pitching in the sea?

I find it surprising that the ship was mostly dark. Most buildings in the US at least have emergency lighting systems that are battery powered. The batteries last only for hours, but a generator system to maintain lighting at least in halls, stair cases, etc., would seem logical.

Let's hope cruise lines rethink their emergency planning and provide for improvements in such situations.