cantthinkofanythingfun

As to the broken wrist...Medical should have at least given her something for the pain but unfortunately the nurse is correct...If it was swelled up to 3 times it size you have to ice and elevate and with that much swelling you would need an orthapedic to set if necessary...Ships doctor wouldn't have the expertise.

 

 

 

As to the lady with the broken foot...Carnival did exactly what it should have done...Maybe offered her a free dinner in the steakhouse or a free drink or something too but that's about it

An ace bandage would have helped to limit movement. I certainly wasn't expecting them to set it. I think the main thing that bothered me was having to wait until 11:30 to get off the ship. The injury would have been obvious to anyone that would have taken the time to look at it. Nobody was trying to game the system. Of course our bags were checked and maybe it couldn't have been helped. I'm obviously not that upset over it. I'm going on the Pride again in three days. I don't know if she would ever go back on Carnival though.

I was told we could not place the urn, even though it was biodegradable, in the ocean, we literally had to open the bag and scatter the ashes. I was glad, it just felt uncomfortable to toss the box over, so I am happy with how they required me to do it and it just felt good to see the ashes blowing in the wind.

 

As to "ashes blowing into loved ones" that won't happen, that's why they "take" you to a specific spot on the ship, I was told the bridge would provide instructions so that this specifically would not happen and the ashes would blow with the wind and not against it.

If the bag inside that you opened was plastic, then it really wasn't a biodegradable urn. It may have been a cardboard box with a plastic bag inside. A lot of funeral homes will use those to return cremated remains when the family doesn't purchase an urn. These biodegradable urns usually are somewhat attractive and they will dissolve in the water and disperse the ashes.

Wow did you tell anyone you thought her wrist was broken? If so shocked they didnt open medical office to take a look.

 

Surprised they didnt do more to help her.

Yes, I told the nurse it had immediately swelled to three times it's size and I was sure it was broke. It was just after midnight and he said there was nothing that could be done and to put ice on it and keep it elevated. I took her to the hospital after getting off the ship and it was fractured.

It's a little bit out of my budget.

Carnival won't do anything that could be construed as admitting negligence.

A year and a half ago I was on the Pride with my then girlfriend. She fell in the cabin on the last night of the cruise and broke her wrist. I called the front desk and was told the medical office was closed. A nurse called my room and told me to just keep it elevated. I asked if I could get some kind of Ace bandage or splint and was told the medical office was closed. I used a bath towel to try and stabilize it. Nobody from Carnival even wanted to look at it or make an incident report. Carnival was not negligent, but I've been a business owner, and I always made incident reports when someone fell on my property. Mainly to protect me from litigation. The next day I asked if we could get some kind of priority disembarkation so I could get her to the hospital. I was told no. We didn't get off the ship until 11:30 that morning. I'm not one to complain, but I did email Carnival about this when I got home. A couple weeks later I got an email back that basically just said, sorry it happened and hope she is doing better. I was even complimentary in my email and told them it was a great cruise and her falling wasn't their fault. I did take the towel. I'm surprised they didn't charge me.

The outside part of Maltings was my favorite, but it is also a smoking area. I kind of enjoy the smell of smoke in a bar. It reminds me of a simpler time, like 2005.

The FAQ says the following about Flotation Devices: For the comfort of all our guests, rafts, tubes and floatation devices other than those used as life preservers (water wings) cannot be used in the swimming pools on board"

 

It would seem the tummy tube can be considered a "life preserver".

Thank you. I'm using my phone and the Carnival site isn't the easiest to navigate on here.

Taking my 5 year old on the Pride in a couple days and wondering if floatation devices like that thing you wear around your waist are allowed in the pool.

Minions would be awesome. I could probably save a ton of money and substitute an NCL cruise for the Disney Cruise I promised my son next year.

I'm sure NCL tried to renegotiate the Nick deal, and probably thought it would happen. Nick probably just wouldn't budge.

If I were NCL I would go big and try to cut a deal with Warner Brothers. That would give them the whole Bugs Bunny thing, but more importantly, DC Comics. That will make them competitive with Disney that in addition to the kid's characters, also offers Marvel Comics and I'm assuming Star Wars as well.

Here is a set of official remarks just published today on Facebook by John Heald from Carnival.

 

Thank you for sharing that. His response was directed at someone who had the free service and wanted something more and was willing to pay. The individual was actually complaining about the free service. I agree with John Heald. They should not charge for that service. They also can't make it where you won't hear music from the Lido deck. It is a cruise ship. It seems like that individual wanted something somber, and obviously a Carnival cruise ship is not for that. Maybe he should have asked Celebrity.

For the record, I didn't see the article on John Heald's Facebook page. I saw it in a funeral director's blog. I then liked John Heald's page and left my comment.

I really don't know why they don't let you prebook it. NCL charges $5 less a day if you pre purchase it online. I think they would sell more of them if they allowed pre purchase online. Some people change their mind when they get on board, or they wait until the second day because they may not drink much on the first day.

My father passed away recently. A week later there was a lovely service at a military cemetery where 1/2 of his ashes were interred.

 

Later this summer there will be a gathering of the family to release the rest of his ashes in a favorite spot in the mountains.... celebrating his life.

 

The actual funeral does not need to occur on a cruise ship for the release at sea of the ashes to occur on the cruise ship.

 

I can see where, in some cases, if the actual funerals themselves took place onboard those onboard funeral would be a real celebration of life ... but ... on the other hand, I can see where if the actual funeral was held aboard the cruise ship the result may be a whole lot of drama that would leave other guests feeling very uncomfortable.

 

Cruises are supposed to be fun and having onboard funerals does not jibe with that aim for non-participants.

 

Just MHO:rolleyes:

A service on a cruise ship would not be a funeral in the essence of those held at a funeral home, church, or cemetery. It would be more of a celebration. There is a demand for this. Major hotels and resorts offer these types of services.

Post numbered 3 in your thread your first sentence is, "In actuality, this could be a big revenue stream for Carnival." I guess you mean for video setups and playback, and other such ceremonial things.

 

Either way, I am glad you shared your thoughts and it is being discussed.

I meant for coordinating a service and reception, like they do with weddings, and the bookings for people that would like to be there.

It sounds like you're local to Baltimore and are looking to sail from there. I've been on the Pride twice and am going again next Sunday. I think it's a great ship. I've never been on the Grandeur, but I've driven by her many times. The Pride even looks much nicer from the outside. Every time I've priced the Grandeur it's more than double the Pride. I understand the frustration over the booking mistake. If it means anything to you, you probably wouldn't have gotten a much better room from a guarantee. There aren't many ocean views on the Pride. There are a lot of balconies, but I don't think they would have given you a free upgrade from an inside to a balcony. You may be able to get a very cheap upgrade close to sailing if the ship isn't filling up. I think you would have a good time on the Pride.

I am not suggesting that Carnival charge for what they are currently doing. What I am suggesting is that they offer families a choice to do more, like maybe a service where family and friends can share stories, maybe have a video tribute, and a reception. Of course there may be some kind of fee for these additional services, and there would be cabins booked. Some people may attend that would never even dream of going on a cruise and realize they love it. Carnival is always looking for a way to get someone on the ship for the first time. I'm not suggesting they disturb anyone else's cruise, or make any kind of scene over it. I know people get upset that anyone makes any type of profit from death. Many states offer free options. You probably wouldn't like them.

For those of you that have experienced loss, I am truly sorry. I lost my brother and father within 2 days of each other not much more than a year ago. I understand grief. For the poster that wanted to scatter their loved ones ashes at sea, but didn't want to let go, they do have pendants that hold a small portion of the ashes that you can keep with you always.

I know it's not for everyone. Nothing is. There is obviously some sort of market for it. John Heald says he gets about 5 requests a week. It's a hard core cruiser that even knows who John Heald is. How many families do you think would want this service that never heard of John Heald? Unlike burial, with cremation you have time to plan. Funeral directors aren't always the best event planners. I spent two years studying anatomy, pathology, and how ancient Egyptians took care of their dead. Cruise ships plan numerous events every day/365 days a year.

I'm not trying to debate or be disrespectful. I just know from my experience that most people are looking for something different then what they were even ten years ago. It's a different generation making these arrangements today. People want experiences, and they want them to be meaningful.

OK. You think they should increase the number of ship board funerals and memorials and proactively market the services to one day equal wedding events.

 

In lieu of having deceased human bodies transferred to, prepared, made view-able, and memorial and burial services conducted in a traditional funeral home that Carnival vacation ships should offer those services? I can't get past the deceased human body transfers to the ship on embark day, but maybe that's just me.

 

So, please outline for us what you mean.

This would have nothing to do with viewing bodies or burial. An actual burial at sea requires quite a bit of paperwork and is typically done by the Navy. This is strictly for cremation. If you wish to have some sort of viewing of the body that would have to be done beforehand at a funeral home. Most people would just contract the funeral home to perform a cremation. Many people choose to have their "ashes" scattered at sea. Most people also like to have some sort of memorial service as well. Now there are laws with scattering at sea. Typically it has to be done so many miles from shore. Many people are unaware of these laws, or choose to ignore them, and scatter at the beach or from a small boat right off shore. I would not be surprised if many people did not think to contact Carnival ahead of time, and just scattered on their own from the ship when nobody was looking. According to the article, four or five families a year actually contact Carnival about doing this, and they actually have a protocol for it. I think if this was more well known, many more families would be interested in it. I have been a funeral director for 20 years and I was shocked (in a good way) to read they did this in the article.

Of course Carnival, being a vacation company, doesn't want to advertise this. They may put it in a back corner of their website under FAQ. Carnival could actually partner with funeral homes like they do TAs to promote this service. In a time where more and more families are opting for cremation, a lower cost service, funeral homes are struggling to make revenues they once had. This partnership would help both companies. Carnival could then have trained "celebration of life" coordinators that would make the accommodations and plan a memorial service and scattering ceremony on board. Just like they do for weddings. These memorial services would not necessarily be somber occasions. Like I said, people are now looking for more of a celebration. They want more attractive and upbeat facilities. They want food and beverage available. Many funeral homes offer these services, but people don't want to go to a funeral home. It's creepy to many people. Many people are choosing to use hotels, reception halls, and country clubs for these services.

This forum is proof that many people have a love of cruising, maybe an obsession in some cases. People also love the sea. I think many people would love to take one "last cruise" with their friends and family and have their ashes scattered with dignity.

Sea scattering services do exist, and they do have a fee. Some are done by plane, and the family gets a certificate of the coordinates where it was done. There is actually a company that mixes the ashes with concrete and makes reef balls out of them to create a reef. Again, the family gets a certificate with coordinates. These services can be expensive and the family doesn't get to be there for it.

We saw your post on John Heald's FB page today suggesting they monetize and exploit this on board their vacation fun ships.

 

In the meantime, Carnival has been very gracious in facilitating ash scattering memorial services requested by families.

 

Perhaps a new cruise line can be born of such specialization and celebration.

My suggestion was that they make the service more widely known and coordinated. Yes, that would include booking fees for those that wish to attend any type of coordinated service. It could actually be a very appealing option for families that are looking to do something different than a traditional service at a funeral home or church. I have dedicated my career to try and make funerals more meaningful for families. Whenever I hear or think of a new idea that could do that, it interests me.

In actuality, this could be a big revenue stream for Carnival. Perhaps one day equaling weddings. People don't want to go to a funeral home anymore, and a memorial service is a celebration of life. I think people would much rather have that celebration on a cruise ship. It's always tricky to market a service like that for a company that focuses on "fun", but hotels have started to get in on the act.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2015/06/24/carnival-cruise-line-ashes-burials-at-sea/29209833/

I saw this and thought it may interest some of you.

I'm a funeral director and I may have found a way to write my cruises off on my taxes, or maybe I can get a job with Carnival. (you have to have a sense of humor in this business)

I for one don't want mega ships and all the toys that go with them. Sounds much more like a disney or six flags vacation than a cruise to me.

I think there is a market for both, but I don't think there is a real market for a megaship with all of the passengers, but none of the activities. Instead of half-heartedy competing in that market, I think CCL would be better off building more ships in the 85,000 gt area, and drastically overhauling some of their current fleet (not just putting in a burger joint and a new waterside).

Yes, the facilities (gimmicks?) like bumper cars and ice Rinks etc. do help sell these giants.

 

As you say, Carnival tend avoid them, which give RCI and NCL the advantaged in my opinion.

 

The biggest passenger capacity afloat is NOT a good selling point!

 

LNG is also not likely to be inspiring enough in itself, to persuade Joe public to book.

 

However, maybe carnival do have some gimmicks up their sleeves?

I'll admit that many of these things are gimmicks, but top shelf entertainment isn't.

Isn't a ship still owned by the shipyard until after sea trials? I always thought there was some kind of ceremony when the ownership is transferred to the cruise line. If the shipyard's assets are seized, that would include the Vista.

It seems to me that RCI and to a lesser extent, NCL, are building megaships to put a lot more activities on board. You have actual Broadway shows, ice skating, aqua theaters, bumper cars, gardens, open air promenades, zip lines, etc.. It seems that carnival is doing it predominantly to get more people on board. RCI and NCL are doing that as well, but they are offering more. I'm sorry, but an IMAX theater isn't a big deal. I have 10 of them within 20 minutes of me. The sky cycle thing seems cool, but it also reeks of, "that Disney waterside that goes around the ship is too expensive". I don't think people really want the megaship crowds without all of the extra megaship activities.

Last year I had JC and Julie within 2 weeks of each other. Julie was actually much better, but I also think she is much more familiar with the ship. JC has a much better selection of hats though, and it's not like he's horrible.