Crematory Remains at Sea-The Andrew

[All4fun&fun4all]

I am sad to say that the Andrew passed away on March 16th. You all know how much he loved his cruises and one way I want to honor him and his love of the sea is to have a ceremony at sea.

 

I cant even believe that these words are coming out of my mouth right now. It all seems so surreal. :(

 

I have contacted Guest Solutions and got the basics on what I would need to bring his remains onboard and what the environmental officer would do. What I would like to know is, for those who have actually had this ceremony, what was it like? Did it feel immensely special for you?

[lkleach]

I am so sorry for your loss and realize that this is a big decision. We did it for my father several years ago on the Fascination. The ship really didn't do anything as far as a ceremony goes, just had the officer meet us at guest services at the assigned time and then escorted us and another family who was doing the same thing to a crew deck. The other family went first and we stayed out of their way, so I'm not sure how they did it, but when it was our turn, the officer allowed us to say what we wanted to say and handle it as we wanted, we never felt rushed or like it was a bother to them. I want to say the ship wasn't at a full stop, just slowed way down. It was very moving and special to us all (it was his three kids and their families there) and I don't regret it at all. Definitely the best choice for us. Many people ask if I regret not having a place to go visit to pay my respects or remember him, but now I can say anytime I'm in the Caribbean, I'm with my father again. That to me means way more than a grave site. So to answer your question, it was very special to us all and still is. My thought are with you.

[alligirl78]

Are you taking him on the Fantasy in May? :(

[soccersharon]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I really enjoy reading your reviews, and hijinks on the high seas.

 

Sent from my mobile device. Typos are inevitable.

Edited March 24, 2014 by soccersharon

[bobsfamily]

I am sad to say that the Andrew passed away on March 16th. You all know how much he loved his cruises and one way I want to honor him and his love of the sea is to have a ceremony at sea.

All, I would be honored to help in any way and attend if you wish.

Bob

[All4fun&fun4all]

Are you taking him on the Fantasy in May? :(

 

Yes, I am taking him on the May cruise. I am having the crematorium do a smaller urn to carry with me so that I can keep the larger one at home.

 

All, I would be honored to help in any way and attend if you wish.

Bob

 

Bob, thank you. That is very sweet.

[All4fun&fun4all]

I am so sorry for your loss and realize that this is a big decision. We did it for my father several years ago on the Fascination. The ship really didn't do anything as far as a ceremony goes, just had the officer meet us at guest services at the assigned time and then escorted us and another family who was doing the same thing to a crew deck. The other family went first and we stayed out of their way, so I'm not sure how they did it, but when it was our turn, the officer allowed us to say what we wanted to say and handle it as we wanted, we never felt rushed or like it was a bother to them. I want to say the ship wasn't at a full stop, just slowed way down. It was very moving and special to us all (it was his three kids and their families there) and I don't regret it at all. Definitely the best choice for us. Many people ask if I regret not having a place to go visit to pay my respects or remember him, but now I can say anytime I'm in the Caribbean, I'm with my father again. That to me means way more than a grave site. So to answer your question, it was very special to us all and still is. My thought are with you.

 

It sounds like your experience was a very touching one. Thank you for sharing that with me.

[mackatty]

I am so sorry for your loss!

[alligirl78]

Yes, I am taking him on the May cruise. I am having the crematorium do a smaller urn to carry with me so that I can keep the larger one at home.

 

 

We'll be with you in spirit, sweetie. If there was any way for us to make it down in May, we would. I have nothing really helpful to add other than I can only imagine that it will be beautiful and...I think it's very appropriate for him. I'm so glad we got to cruise with you both and we are thinking of you every day. xoxoxoxoxo

[Harrier1961]

I am sad to say that the Andrew passed away on March 16th. You all know how much he loved his cruises and one way I want to honor him and his love of the sea is to have a ceremony at sea.

 

I cant even believe that these words are coming out of my mouth right now. It all seems so surreal. :(

 

I have contacted Guest Solutions and got the basics on what I would need to bring his remains onboard and what the environmental officer would do. What I would like to know is, for those who have actually had this ceremony, what was it like? Did it feel immensely special for you?

 

So sorry for your loss.

Your's was on of the few people whose reviews I looked forward too.

Andy

[All4fun&fun4all]

We'll be with you in spirit, sweetie. If there was any way for us to make it down in May, we would. I have nothing really helpful to add other than I can only imagine that it will be beautiful and...I think it's very appropriate for him. I'm so glad we got to cruise with you both and we are thinking of you every day. xoxoxoxoxo

 

Thank you so much. You know how much he enjoyed meeting you. Your words have been more than helpful this past week. I am glad to be able to call you a friend.

[swalton85]

Very sorry for your loss!

[jjmsbu09]

I've always loved your reviews, you and Andrew always looked so happy. My condolences.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[kybluecruiser]

I am sad to say that the Andrew passed away on March 16th. You all know how much he loved his cruises and one way I want to honor him and his love of the sea is to have a ceremony at sea.

 

I cant even believe that these words are coming out of my mouth right now. It all seems so surreal. :(

 

I have contacted Guest Solutions and got the basics on what I would need to bring his remains onboard and what the environmental officer would do. What I would like to know is, for those who have actually had this ceremony, what was it like? Did it feel immensely special for you?

 

I am so sorry for your loss. I feel i know you and the Andrew based from your wonderful reviews. Prayers for you.

[LUVMYGSDOG]

Nancy, all I can say to you right now is that I am so sorry and I am thinking of you.

 

 

 

Kim

[bigman01]

I am sad to say that the Andrew passed away on March 16th. You all know how much he loved his cruises and one way I want to honor him and his love of the sea is to have a ceremony at sea.

 

I cant even believe that these words are coming out of my mouth right now. It all seems so surreal. :(

 

I have contacted Guest Solutions and got the basics on what I would need to bring his remains onboard and what the environmental officer would do. What I would like to know is, for those who have actually had this ceremony, what was it like? Did it feel immensely special for you?

 

First of all, my sincere condolences for your loss. My heart aches for you.

 

My father passed away in Feb. 2013, and we had discussed before his death what he wanted, and his wish was to be cremated and his ashes disposed of at sea. So, that's what we did on board the Magic this past November. I will say that, without a doubt, we (the family) are very pleased with what we did. Yes, it was extremely hard on all of us, but we are at peace knowing we did what my dad wanted.

 

In my case, I had contacted John Heald a few weeks ahead of time, and he was very accomadating. He asked me to remind him via facebook about a week before we left, and I did. As soon as I got on board and could, I went to Guest Services to let them know I was on board, and they already knew all of the details about it...Mr. Heald had let them know ahead of time.

 

I posted a LONG note about the experience on my facebook page, but rather than post it here, if you'd like to read what I had to say about the experience, send me an email and I'll give you the link to it - jamesloyd @ gmail . com

 

In short, Carnival was very gracious in helping us. They allowed us to do what we wanted at the time we wanted - yes, everything has to be approved ahead of time by the Environmental Officer, but it wasn't a problem for us. At the appointed time, we met someone from Guest Services, the Environmental Officer and security, and were escored to the back of the ship on Deck 1, to a crew only area. They allowed us to spend as much time back there as we needed. I had arranged ahead of time to have another guest sing "Amazing Grace", and I bought a dozen roses to throw into the sea. I had also brought 55 sand dollars - one for each year my father and mother were married - and my mother was allowed to throw them into the sea also. After we did what we wanted to do, we were then escorted back to the public area the ship.

 

The next day, a letter was delivered to our cabin, giving the GPS coordinates/date/time of when the service was performed. It was very nice to know exactly where we left my dad.

 

I know this is going to be difficult for you, but hopefully in the end you will treasure the moment as much as I do. I have absolutely NO regrets about what we did for my dad.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with you, and if you have any questions that you don't want to discuss publicly, you are free to email me if you want to. jamesloyd @ gmail . com

 

 

James

Edited March 24, 2014 by bigman01

[KPfromCT]

:(:( This really IS sad news......loved reading your reviews, and the wedding ( or not ) at HMC........

I am glad to hear that you will still be cruising.......I think the burial at sea will be a beautiful thing.....

Again, my condolences to you..:(

[bungee]

I am sorry for your lost.

[pghsteelerfan]

I am so, so, so sorry to hear of your loss. We've never met on a cruise but I have really enjoyed your many reviews and you both always seed to have such a great time and a lot of fun together. I just want to pass along my condolences and offer my thoughts and prayers to you.

[cuyahoga11]

Nancy

 

I am so sorry to hear about The Andrew. I will always have the memories of the unwedding and him removing the filters from my cigarettes.

[jimbri]

I am so sorry. I always enjoyed your reviews.

[pauleydm]

So sorry for your loss

[pungo3]

I am very sorry for your loss.

[momof4boys]

I am so, so sorry. It seems like only yesterday we were cruising with you and Andrew on the Fantasy. ('10) It was a wonderful cruise and I remember how happy you both were!

 

Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

[CruiserJul]

I am very sorry for your loss. I have read your reviews and have enjoyed them. You two have many good memories together.