Scattering ashes at sea

[grumpyjr88]

Here's a very good thread about scattering ashes from the Princess board. It's almost the same as what's done in Carnival. On Carnival see Guest Services at embarkation.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1343418

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Thank you so much, SadieN. :)

 

Honestly, my biggest fear right now is crying in front of all the other passengers as we make our way to the deck. I know, stupid! LOL

[SadieN]

You're welcome. We're doing this in October on the Miracle. On that ship it's done in the afternoon on deck 3 aft, behind the MDR. Pretty private as no one is in the MDR at that point. (Couldn't find the Carnival thread)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[bigman01]

Thank you so much, SadieN. :)

 

Honestly, my biggest fear right now is crying in front of all the other passengers as we make our way to the deck. I know, stupid! LOL

 

 

You will cry. But it's ok. I put a long note on facebook after we got back from doing this for my dad 3 years ago. Don't know if there's anything there that will help you, but if you want to read my note on fb, shoot me an email and I'll give you a link to it. james loyd @ gmail . com (with no spaces)

[realtrip]

Thank you so much, SadieN. :)

 

Honestly, my biggest fear right now is crying in front of all the other passengers as we make our way to the deck. I know, stupid! LOL

 

When my step dad past four years ago, we also scattered his ashes at sea. I was fine until the two ship officers met up with us at guest services. I started crying and just could not stop ( tons of people were hanging around guest services, ugh). The ship officers were really nice and were very respectful as they led us to where we were to throw the ashes and gave a lot of time to pray and reminisce.

Later after all was done, sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine,my mom and I had a little laugh thinking about what all the people near guest services must have thought/imagined ( wow, those ladies must be in big trouble! down to the brig with them and whatnot).

Don't worry about getting emotional. You are doing a really beautiful thing but it is terribly sad. I'm sorry for your loss.

[bigman01]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. I'll post back with my experience on the Breeze for you. Our mom's are going to be Breeze spirits together. :)

 

I had forgotten about this thread. Just wanted to see how things went on the Breeze?

[Galleon1234]

Yes would love to hear about this as well. That is what I want done for me.

[grumpyjr88]

wow, I totally forgot to report back. I a so sorry for the huge delay!

 

Anyway... it all went very smoothly and it was beautiful. I think I took a couple of pics and will post them if I can find them.

 

I posted on John Heald's facebook page asking for his assistance and he replied asking me to email him when it got closer to the cruise, I think it was a couple weeks out. One of the "Stephanie's" (what he called most of his assistants) replied with a confusing email that did not make me feel confident that she knew what my request was so i posted several panicked messages on JH's facebook page. He did answer me and let me know he'd made all the arrangements and to just go to guest services as soon as we got on the ship.

 

As requested, we went straight to GS and they had to find a manager but once he was found, he reassured us everything would be taken of. He asked us where and what day we preferred and told us they would try their best to accommodate us and would deliver a letter in our cabins to confirm the day and time.

 

We got our notice as promised for the day and time we requested and met the manager and head of security at guest services. Everyone was very kind and respectful and offered their condolences. They then walked us back to a secured area at the back of the ship (ergo, head of security). Once back there, they told us to take our time and just throw hard when we were ready.

 

We said a few words then I threw a rose and my sister threw the urn. We then stood there for several minutes just hugging and crying and when we were ready to leave the staff gave us each a big hug. They must see these often but they were visibly moved.

 

Oh! We had a Himalayan salt urn so we were able to throw it in the ocean but they offered us a biodegradable bag in case we needed it.

 

All in all, they gave us a beautiful moment we will cherish for ever.

[pspercy]

I just wanted a token release for my Dad so I walked around the promenade deck to the stern and just did it and the wind did the rest:)

[grumpyjr88]

Pics from the back of the ship.

 

 

 

** sorry for the link to my Flickr. I'm trying to post the pic from my phone and it's just not working for some reason.

Edited December 14, 2017 by grumpyjr88

[grumpyjr88]

I just wanted a token release for my Dad so I walked around the promenade deck to the stern and just did it and the wind did the rest:)

 

That is sweet. <3

[Galleon1234]

I love this idea. Wondering if there is a charge for doing this? thanks!

 

 

wow, I totally forgot to report back. I a so sorry for the huge delay!

 

Anyway... it all went very smoothly and it was beautiful. I think I took a couple of pics and will post them if I can find them.

 

I posted on John Heald's facebook page asking for his assistance and he replied asking me to email him when it got closer to the cruise, I think it was a couple weeks out. One of the "Stephanie's" (what he called most of his assistants) replied with a confusing email that did not make me feel confident that she knew what my request was so i posted several panicked messages on JH's facebook page. He did answer me and let me know he'd made all the arrangements and to just go to guest services as soon as we got on the ship.

 

As requested, we went straight to GS and they had to find a manager but once he was found, he reassured us everything would be taken of. He asked us where and what day we preferred and told us they would try their best to accommodate us and would deliver a letter in our cabins to confirm the day and time.

 

We got our notice as promised for the day and time we requested and met the manager and head of security at guest services. Everyone was very kind and respectful and offered their condolences. They then walked us back to a secured area at the back of the ship (ergo, head of security). Once back there, they told us to take our time and just throw hard when we were ready.

 

We said a few words then I threw a rose and my sister threw the urn. We then stood there for several minutes just hugging and crying and when we were ready to leave the staff gave us each a big hug. They must see these often but they were visibly moved.

 

Oh! We had a Himalayan salt urn so we were able to throw it in the ocean but they offered us a biodegradable bag in case we needed it.

 

All in all, they gave us a beautiful moment we will cherish for ever.

[grumpyjr88]

I love this idea. Wondering if there is a charge for doing this? thanks!

 

There's no charge. :)

[SadieN]

We released ashes a year ago on a Hawaii cruise. Carnival makes it very simple to do. The FAQs page has all the info needed. We used cardboard pillow urns. The mortuary transferred the ashes into the urns for us.

 

After carrying on the cremains we went to Guest Services to make the arrangements. Weather and the seas prevented us from doing it on our first sea day. On sea day three at Guest Services we met the Environmental, Security, and Guest Services Officers. We were escorted to the back of the ship and allowed all the time we needed. Afterwards we received a certificate of the location and other info.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[grumpyjr88]

I'd forgotten about the certificate. They gave my sister and I each our own copy.

[Ponygal]

I am wondering what is a token release? Also, I have a small amount of ashes we want to scatter (half of a large prescription pill bottle. Will I still be allowed to do this? Do we just dump them, or do I need a biodegradable container?

[clearwatergirl]

I am sorry for your loss. Happy you posted the question. Thank you to all those that have responded with good information.

 

When it's my turn, I want my children to take me on my last cruise and join my ashes with the sea.