Angel Cruise: November 27, 2010

[anamanxs]

This is a review of my Angel Cruise on November 11, 2010; on the Carnival Fascination. It is my 10th cruise on three different cruise lines, and my third in 2010. But the first cruise for my DIL, SIL and two GD’s. This review will be seen through different eyes since it is for very different and very personal reasons. I am going to request that you do not flame or throw stones if you do not agree with the contents, please just choose not to read it and move on. I am informing all it contains contents that not all may be comfortable with but when considering this option I found information hard to find and wanted to share with other who may be searching for answers. The first part will be background so that you are aware it may contain some areas that you may not want to know about.

 

I will start by explaining why this was our Angel cruise - I did not plan on taking three cruises in one year but life has a way of throwing us curves. I had given my daughter and her family a cruise to Alaska last Christmas which was planned for May 2010. I had planned on giving my son’s family a cruise Christmas 2010; and promises are important to me. My son unexpectedly joined the Angels in Feb 2010. I gave my son and his family their cruise for Christmas has planned just a little before early.

 

I started my research by reading all that I could find about scattering ashes at sea. Cruise Critic has a limited amount of information that allowed me to know where to go to get additional answers. But nowhere did I find any reviews following the scattering to see if the families feeling following the journeys, or how the ceremony went. I had a lot of questions and thoughts; how difficult was it, what steps to take, so I hope this review will answer some one in the futures questions.

 

Prior to my cruise, I purchased a bio degradable bag since I had decided the best for me was that route rather than opening and scattering the ashes. I also called Carnival Bon Voyage Department and arranged for Yellow roses to be available in our cabins. I did find a several differences of information there, and was not sure Carnival agents all have the same info. I was told I could not bring flowers onboard but upon more research I found several posts that state you can and I know that we were allowed to bring them aboard the SPIRIT in May. But, with enough to handle I decided to use the Bon Voyage Department. I also talked to several different agents in the 7 months planning for our cruise about the details with the scattering. A few agents told me they would note our requests upon our booking but upon checking each time there was no notations but all I had to do was go to guest services upon arrival and it would be not problem to arrange the ceremony. If you are a planner than you know that you have to be sure of certain things and this was one. So, after reviewing the Cruise Critic posts again I found that Host Mach had helped others in the past and contacted him. I must say he was wonderful and contacted the needed personell on the ship and I received an e-mail from them that put my mind at ease. Thanks so much, Host Mach! I had been chatting with the roll calls on the Cruise Critic site and on the Carnival site. We had a Meet & Greet planned for our first sea day at one of the lounges. I would recommend the roll calls as a great way to get to know people before you cruise. We felt we knew a little about each other before we sailed.

 

We arrived at the port at about 10:30am, and received a boarding number of group 4. We started loading about 11:30. Two of us had passports and the 3 had just a picture ID and BC, we did not have any trouble boarding. We had several carry on's and each had one checked bag each. We went straight up to the Lido deck for lunch and to wait for our cabins to be ready. I forgot to mention; I had booked ES and had 1 balcony cabin and 1 inside cabin. The upgrade fairy called the day we leaving and offered us an oceanview for $50 (from inside cabin). I jumped at it, no second thoughts. Our cabins were ready by 1:30pm as scheduled.

 

This was my first time on the Fanasty class ship and the cabins were nice and clean but on the small side. The oceanview and balcony were both set up the same way and size other than the balcony(since the balcony was welded on a few years ago). The balcony had two chairs; no table, they did appear a bit wider than the ones on the Spirit class ships. We were on the Main floor so we had a lower balcony, with no one under us. We did miss the refrigerator, but they do have a safe in the rooms. Be sure and bring your own hairdryer.

 

Muster was at 3:30 and we went to the Ritz lounge and were able to sit until the end when we had to go up one flight of stairs to see where the lifeboats were. The GD's got their green bracelets. At sailaway we were escorted out of the river by a dolphin which was very special to us! Look closely in front of ship. (Thanks APDMOM for the pictures)

 

More to follow, sorry so long.

 

Our cabin was the fourth from the back. These balcony were added with remodel. Good view of the waterworks also added at remodel! It was a beautiful day to be leaving on a cruise!

 

[silverfoxcruiser]

Anamanxs -- I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you and your family will accept my condolences. It is so terribly difficult for a parent to lose a child. Sincerely, Silver

[boaterette]

I too am sorry about your loss. I can not bein to imagine the pain of losing a child. Thank you for posting this as we will be scattering my MIL ashes at sea while on a cruise.

[anamanxs]

I too am sorry about your loss. I can not bein to imagine the pain of losing a child. Thank you for posting this as we will be scattering my MIL ashes at sea while on a cruise.

 

Thanks, I too am sorry about your loss as well, and hope that the info that I will get to will help you. He was an older child being 35 but still my child and a stepfather to two young girls. While he had never cruised he loved the water) Oceans, lakes, river, etc) so this is one of the reasons we choose the ocean for him. When we discussed it with the girls (ages 7, 11) their comment was Daddy would want to swim with the Dolphins so the Dolphin leading us out to port was very significate to us. Off to work, will write more later.

[jrmende63]

I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine losing a child before me. Bless you and your family.

I have read on John Heald's blog of him helping out several folks who wanted to have a ceremony of scattering ashes at sea.

[anamanxs]

I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine losing a child before me. Bless you and your family.

I have read on John Heald's blog of him helping out several folks who wanted to have a ceremony of scattering ashes at sea.

 

Thanks, I am pretty sure John is who Host Mach contacted.

[celticd1]

Thanks, I too am sorry about your loss as well, and hope that the info that I will get to will help you. He was an older child being 35 but still my child and a stepfather to two young girls. While he had never cruised he loved the water) Oceans, lakes, river, etc) so this is one of the reasons we choose the ocean for him. When we discussed it with the girls (ages 7, 11) their comment was Daddy would want to swim with the Dolphins so the Dolphin leading us out to port was very significate to us. Off to work, will write more later.

 

:)

 

That is AWESOME!

[anamanxs]

I forgot a part here, as soon as we finished eating I took everyone on a tour of the ship. And I left them in one of the lounges and snuck down to guest services with my DIL to check on my arrangements. When I told them my name they said they had received an e-mail and had my info which was great; so no having to get teary eyed in front of a lot of people. All they asked me was when and we had decided on the last sea day at two since the girls would be in Camp Carnival then. While the girls knew what we were doing we didn't want to put anymore stress then they have already been through this year. We were told I would receive a confirmation letter in my cabin. Now the ship does not have mailboxes outside the doors as some do so everything is slid under the doors or given to your cabin stewerd. So, we picked everybody up and off to find our cabins. So, when I open our cabin I had a mind panic attack there are on the counter is 12 chocolate strawberries from the Player's Club and a vase of 6 beautiful roses, beautiful RED roses!

 

So, back to guest Services again, and I explain the roses have to be yellow roses, my son was a John Deere Nut so his Memorial Service was done in Green and Yellow! I paid extra for yellow and they have to be yellow.... by this time I am a little teary! So Natasha who was wonderful and totaly understanding tries to call and not one answers so she says she will take care of it after Sailaway.

 

 

 

 

 

I love the Palm trees and osias look of the Lido deck.

 

 

 

Following Sailaway we visited Camp Carnival. They actually have 3 locations on the ship. The youngest group area is right above the Lido deck, while the 9 - 11 year olds were at varies places at different times. They used the lounges a lot. The staff were great and very careful about who signed the children in and out. We were carded everytime, and since I go by my middle name and S&S card has the first name on it, I had to keep explaining that. But kudos to the staff for being so on top of everything. The girls loved it and had a great time and liked going. The 11 year old was a little niffed until her mother allowed her to check herself in and out.

 

I thought Bon Voyage was the same as Formalities on the ship, it is not so I go to Formalities the young lady gets the manager and he call Room Service which handle Bon Voyage and they say there are no yellow roses. He looks in the Rose area and is holding a dozen yellow roses, he says funny, he is holding them. He has a few more words with them and then tells me he will personaly take care of it and I will have my yellow roses in my cabin. He was very pleasent and made me feel it would be taken care of. So back to join everyone on the Lido deck.

[chasinraynbowz]

I can't imagine how difficult it must be to lose a child (no matter what his age). I am so very sorry for your loss.

 

I want to thank you for taking the time to post this. I have discussed, at length, with both of my kids and my husband about having my ashes scattered at sea. I thought my daughter would have a problem with it, but she said she couldn't imagine me anywhere else! So I look forward to reading about your experience.

 

I do have one question - I know Mach helped you, but did you need prior approval before going on the cruise?

[anamanxs]

 

 

 

 

 

Pic 1: Outside - Passage to India lounge: A lot of activities for Camp Carnival were held in here as well as our Meet and Greet.

 

Pic 2, 3: Inside - Passage to India lounge

 

Pic 4: Our theme sign pic. I didn't do T-shirts but did do Totebags and used on the door banners. (notice the dolphin)

 

 

Our first towel animal

[anamanxs]

I can't imagine how difficult it must be to lose a child (no matter what his age). I am so very sorry for your loss.

 

I want to thank you for taking the time to post this. I have discussed, at length, with both of my kids and my husband about having my ashes scattered at sea. I thought my daughter would have a problem with it, but she said she couldn't imagine me anywhere else! So I look forward to reading about your experience.

 

I do have one question - I know Mach helped you, but did you need prior approval before going on the cruise?

 

It states that you do not, but I have one of these perfectist people and like to know everything is taken care of. I know there are several people that have posted they just did without arranging through the ship and that is not allowed. It has to be so many miles from land and you have to have an enviromental officer, security officer and member of the Captains team with you. That is one of the reasons I wanted to share with others how special it was.

 

I did tell them at security when entereing the ship that I was carry ashes but only because I had enclosed the metal ID tags in the box in case they asked for them; also didn't know what they would think was in the box. I also had the death certificate but was not asked for it.

[nanuak]

I also want to thank you for this post. I recently told my husband that I wanted to be cremated, and taken out to sea. This information will be extremely useful for my husband.

[anamanxs]

I thank everyone for the kind remarks, I was kind of scared to write about it due to the response I might get but felt I had to too; not only for closure for me but to let others know it can be done. I told the kind people on the Fascination roll calls about my son's passing and taking my DIL and 2 GD's but not that I actually did the scattering ceremony on the ship. Guess they will know now!

[klmorg]

How very touching, and what a wonderful tribute to your son. I too, have told my husband, children, mother, nearly everyone I know, that a burial at sea is my wish as well. I've emailed & printed out all the instructions for them. Looking forward to more of your review. I love the theme pic, and the dolphion escorting you all out to sea gave me goosebumps.

[*Mach*]

I am so happy to hear that everything went as planned.

It was an honor to be able to assist in some small way...

[okwriter]

My thoughts and prayers are with you this season. Thank you for sharing this review with a unique twist. Very loving tribute!

[chasinraynbowz]

I thank everyone for the kind remarks, I was kind of scared to write about it due to the response I might get but felt I had to too; not only for closure for me but to let others know it can be done. I told the kind people on the Fascination roll calls about my son's passing and taking my DIL and 2 GD's but not that I actually did the scattering ceremony on the ship. Guess they will know now!

 

 

I can't imagine you getting anything other than kind remarks. I am looking forward to the rest of your review!!!

[anamanxs]

So, after we arrive out in the ocean the girls convience us they just have to go down the water slides. Now Jacksonville has had a cold wave blow in and the sun is starting to go down. So after about 1/2 hour of this and they are totally blue we decide to go back to the cabins to get ready for dinner. My Yellow Roses are there and they are beautiful! The world is right at that moment in time!

 

We go to dinner, we go in the wrong door; how were we to know that the Sensation Dining has two doors one for reg time dining and one for anytime. We did not have to wait but the 5 of us were put at a table for 4 with one person on the side inbetween 2 tables. The server was very nice and the food was average (I had the flat iron steak). I was a little disappointed since the Melting cake was soupy but I just thought it was the first day and things would get better. My SIL said the shrimp was wonderful. We then went to the Welcome aboard show to meet the CD Squishy and hear about the cruise. They also had some short intro to some of the entertainment. The comedy person was a country type and he was kind of funny. He kind of had some stuff to say about the people that got up walked out when he started. The breakdancer came out and did a few spins... first time I had seen a breakdancer on a cruise. Squishy told us this was his last cruise and he was going home to England for the Holiday's. Not sure if he is returning or not. He was OK, I was not overly impressed. His fun team consists of 2 guys and a girl. We just kind of hung out, played a little slots (girls were on Lido deck) and then had late night pizza.

 

The girls got their Freddy gifts and their towel animal and their Mom did not even know they were chocolates left until the next day. (It seems that Freddy left the girls a small token each day if they were good; one day one of the girls did not get a Freddy item since she thought she was 18 instead of 11 - and her Nana had direct contact with Freddy. Freddy was smart and left one girl everything in a green bag and the other one a pink bag. Freddy started this tradition in May when I cruised to Alaska (with grandson). Kind of like the Elf on the shelf. He wrote a letter the first evening explaining they would only get a treat if they were very, very good)).

 

[anamanxs]

The next day was our first sea day of two. We ordered room service so I could sit on the balcony with my coffee. We headed to the Coconut Grove for breakfast. The weather was beautiful and sunny. We had our Meet & Greet at 2:00pm and the others had never been to the shopping talk so that was on the agenda before the Meet & Greet. We picked the girls early out of Camp Carnival so we could do lunch in the dining room. We all had Bar B Q ribs other than Jodi who had shrimp again! The ribs were wonderful and melted in your mouth.

 

Then the shop talk which was same as always. The lounges have a unique set up - sort of pit style. The front bench will face forward or backward. They had a few freebees to pass out but they went to all the ones in the front area, they never got to the sides at all. The talk was the usual stuff DeSol, DI and Emerald International. Both girls fell asleep and had a short nap.

 

Then back to Camp Carnival for the girls and we went to get happy at the Meet and Greet! I am not a big drinker but one of the people on our roll call arranged a 1 hr Meet and Greet with unlimited drinks. It was really nice to meet all the people that we had been writing to over the last few month. There was one group there for a girls only cruise, another who had lost her son who used to be a cruising partner 18 months ago, several people celebrating Anniversity. We were a mixed bag from all over, NC, VA, FL, TX, and even Canada! It was lots of fun and Dixie who I had never met except online brought me a beautiful little Angel statue! She also brought Kay something. It is amazing what special people you can meet online that leave their footprints on your heart, or bring a much needed smile to your face by one small token of caring!

 

 

 

My drinks were the cream colored ones, quite interesting. I asked for something with Bailey. They called it a Mocha. It had godiva chocolate, rum and baileys in it. They used a pina Colda base; it was actually quite good!

 

Group shot, it does look like some of us were not feeling any pain.

 

 

I wonder what happen it someone would have pulled it.

[anamanxs]

We were calm and time to enjoy the afternoon sun so we were off to the Serentity Deck. The Serentity Deck was in the back where they used to have the children's pool before the upgrade. It had two hot tubs and several chaises; it also had the palm theme. We had a few relaxing moments before having to get ready for Cruise Elegant night.

[happylady]

So glad to hear that everything worked out on the cruise. The dolphins escorting the ship just go to show that Dan was watching over his family. God works in such mysterious ways!! {{{hugs}}}

[anamanxs]

I do not normally get the posed pictures since I find them to be costly. The 8 x10 were $20 each and the smaller ones 4 x 6 I think were $10. I think that is a bit high; but it was a special time so we sttod in line to get the pic taken.

 

 

 

After our photo time, we went to eat dinner. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table but we did have a table for 5. I was disappointed in the services; having cruised many times I would have to say this was the first time I found Carnival food and service average. Having used anytime dining in May on the SPIRIT I really was quite disappointed in the food both in the dining room and Lido deck. I have to say the Chocolate Melting Cake was given a second chance and it is was very good.

 

The first show of the cruise was next. It was a review of the 80 and was really good. The theater was packed with standing room only. It had the pit style seating as the Ritz and I think that does cut down on the number of people that be seated.

 

 

 

After a few minutes in the casino it was bed time. Just as we were going to bed there a is knock at the door, the 11 year old is there with my DIL and she (grand daughter) is covered with hives on one side of her body. Lucky we had a Benadryl and we gave her one. It was only on one side where she did not have clothing on so we believe she an allergic reaction to the couches in the theater. As, you can see in the picture theya re sort of a brocade type material; and she way kind of leaning on the material.

 

Tomorrow was Nassua and they were calling for a beautiful day!

[flalady29]

Annette first let me say how sorry I am for you and your familys loss I know it has not been easy. I have not lost a child,but I did lose my bestfriend(my mother) 15 years ago I know not the same by any means, but my cousin lost her 11 year old son in 2003 to terminal illness so even though I didn't go through it personally I have seen the loss first hand through a family member and know it's not easy. I am enjoying your review and i'm glad you are writing this for others who may want to do this and if anybody flames you then shame on them you are doing a great job.

[SexyK]

Very good review so far. Again sorry for your loss. Tomorrow would have been my sons 32 birthday.

I didn't know you were gonna have a ceremony. You should have said something and I would have attended. That is what I want done when I pass on. My son that passed he was against it. But now my other two don't have any one to interfere with my last wishes. So continue on with the review.

[anamanxs]

Thanks Kay, I will be thinking of you and your son tomorrow and say a prayer for both of you. I think you should have what ever you want, so I hope your son's will follow your wishes. I do have a family plots with my grandparents and if my son had wanted it that is where he would be; and most likely where I will be. He did not want dirt thrown on him, and he so loved the water!

 

This was new to me so I hope tht my sharing will make it easier for others.