Spreading ashes at sea

[tourismtessy]

Does anyone know if Princess has a program that lets you spread loved ones ashes at sea? I know carnival does but can’t find out anything on the princess website.

[waltd]

I think Pam has done this.   If she has hopefully she will see your post and respond.

[Astro Flyer]

I found a CC Princess board thread from 2015 about the experience & an email address to contact Princess about their program.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2231630-emerald-princess-review-kids-spreading-of-ashes-debarkation-debacle-211-215/

 

ashesrequest@princesscruises.com

 

Edited May 29, 2021 by Astro Flyer

[Astro Flyer]

On 2/21/2017 at 9:10 PM, Pam in CA said:

This is an excellent review. We distributed my brother-in-law's ashes several years ago and the procedure was slightly different. To add to the above review, these were the criteria we were given to do it from the communication I received:

 

* Ashes must be contained in a biodegradable urn

* Ashes/Flowers may only be spread in International waters

* In accordance with environmental laws, only ashes, biodegradeable urns and biodegradeable flowers are permitted to be spread overboard. Cards, paper, metals, plastics and other non-biodegradeable items are not permitted.

* Our ships do not employ a Chaplain

 

2 minutes ago, waltd said:

I think Pam has done this.   If she has hopefully she will see your post and respond.

Joe…Last time I emailed her she wasn’t posting so here’s a previous post about her experiences that she posted on the thread that I found.

[chengkp75]

And, for the most part, "scattering" ashes is not allowed, only dropping the urn and flowers.

[tailspintom]

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

And, for the most part, "scattering" ashes is not allowed, only dropping the urn and flowers.

Any time I  see the term scattering of ashes, my mind goes to the sea cliff scene in The Big Lebowski. 

 

Back in the sixties,  I was on ship for a Naval burial at sea for a veteran.  A touching service that i will never forget.

[Steelers36]

13 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

Last time I emailed her she wasn’t posting

 

13 hours ago, waltd said:

I think Pam has done this.   If she has hopefully she will see your post and respond.

 

Have not seen a post by her in AGES.  Looks like she only posting on Roll Calls now.  But the info above seems correct.

[AZjohn]

6 minutes ago, tailspintom said:

Any time I  see the term scattering of ashes, my mind goes to the sea cliff scene in The Big Lebowski. 

LOL.... Me too 🙂

[Roberto256]

14 hours ago, waltd said:

I think Pam has done this.   If she has hopefully she will see your post and respond.

I have done it, and could post about it.  But, we can wait for pam.

 

The yucky part was when security in ft. lauderdale wanted to open the package of ashes,

as they couldn't tell what was in them on the x-ray machine.

 

[Roberto256]

3 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

And, for the most part, "scattering" ashes is not allowed, only dropping the urn and flowers.

 

The environmental officier met us on deck, to make sure we didn't toss any plastic.

 

I had ashes in an bio-degradable urn, and ashes in a bio-degradeable waste cardboard package.

They made me open the package, and sure enough, the ashes were inside a plastic bag,

inside the bio-degradeable package.

 

I assume most of the funeral home's customers are dead, so they don't complain very much.

 

[JF - retired RRT]

4 hours ago, Roberto256 said:

I have done it, and could post about it.  But, we can wait for pam.

 

The yucky part was when security in ft. lauderdale wanted to open the package of ashes,

as they couldn't tell what was in them on the x-ray machine.

 

If everyone is waiting for Pam (you know the one) in CA, you might try using @ before her CC handle, so she'll be notified that you're waiting for her to respond.

[Roberto256]

1 hour ago, JF - retired RRT said:

If everyone is waiting for Pam (you know the one) in CA, you might try using @ before her CC handle, so she'll be notified that you're waiting for her to respond.

 

I think you should be replying to the poster who is waiting for Pam.

 

 

[tourismtessy]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

[Steelers36]

8 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

If everyone is waiting for Pam (you know the one) in CA, you might try using @ before her CC handle, so she'll be notified that you're waiting for her to respond.

 

6 hours ago, Roberto256 said:

 

I think you should be replying to the poster who is waiting for Pam.

 

 

Seems pretty clear she has gone 'dark' for some reason with respect to CC.  I have noticed absences of one or two other prolific posters.

[BabySarge]

Don't know if this will be helpful or not but another thought is that unless there is a specific request or reason for this to be with Princess Cruises if the individual whose ashes they are was an honorably discharged veteran or spouse of said veteran then the Navy and Coast Guard will do burial/scattering at sea.  Down side is you nor any other family member would not be able to be present but when this was done for DH's father and then mother a few years later we received video of the ceremony, sea chart marking exact location, letter from ships chaplain, and letter from ships captain.  Everything was arranged thru the funeral home for us and we simply told them that Pop and then Mom wanted to be buried/scattered at sea.

[1025cruise]

I believe each of the cruise lines offer this service. Just contact them ahead of time.

[Pam in CA]

Thanks for thinking of me. I’m not really “dark” but once CC dropped Tapatalk, I found it a PITA to post on CC. And yes, I am active on several roll calls. 
 

Here are my notes from our experience. I’ll probably set it up again for my sister, who passed away a couple of years ago. 
 

Ashes at Sea

 

Updated: You now send your request with your name, ship name, sailing date, and booking number to ashesrequest@princesscruises.com

 

“The purpose of this is to provide information for those who might be considering this. It's illegal to do this on your own without permission or within 12 miles of the U.S. so please keep this in mind if you respond.

 

This is a quote from the response I got from Princess:

 

"Thank you for your request to spread ashes while at sea during your cruise onboard the Sapphire Princess, cruise #XXXX, commencing January 5, 20XX.

 

"We would like to inform you of the following:

 

* Ashes must be contained in a biodegradable urn

* Ashes/Flowers may only be spread in International waters

* In accordance with environmental laws, only ashes, biodegradeable urns and biodegradeable flowers are permitted to be spread overboard. Cards, paper, metals, plastics and other non-biodegradeable items are not permitted.

* Our ships do not employ a Chaplain

 

"The ship will be notified of your request and you shall be contacted while onboard. You will be informed of an appropriate time to carry out the spreading of the ashes. A member of the ship's company will escort you to a suitable private location and stay with you during this time."

 

Once onboard, I went down to the Passenger Services Desk with a copy of the above letter. Naturally, no one at Princess had notified the ship, but not to worry. I received a call from Trent, from Customer Service, the next morning and he told me he would check with the navigator to find out what days and times would be possible. He called me back the next morning to say that any time our third sea day on our way to Acapulco would be fine. After conferring with my sister, we set a time of 11am.

 

We all arrived at the Passenger Services Desk at about 10:45am and were met by Manuel, who was going to help us. He had arranged for a gorgeous flower arrangement (at no cost) for us to toss with the ashes and led us up to deck 7 aft. He had two crew members stationed on both sides of the ship who closed off the back of Promenade deck after we passed by. We went to the very back of the ship and had a few quiet moments while my nephew opened the box and then sent Jim's ashes out to sea. I followed with the wreath. We stayed there for about 10 minutes, each wrapped in our own thoughts and memories. It was very short and simple.

 

Princess couldn't have been more supportive or sympathetic. They were respectful, and it was just the way my brother-in-law would have wanted it, and my sister was comfortable with. 

 

The above is not for everyone, obviously, but in case this is yours or your loved one's wishes, I wanted to share. “

[Pam in CA]

23 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

If everyone is waiting for Pam (you know the one) in CA, you might try using @ before her CC handle, so she'll be notified that you're waiting for her to respond.

Actually, a friend emailed me and alerted me to the post. Looking forward to meeting you in 2023. 🙂 

[DRS/NC]

Something else to consider -- if you must fly to meet your ship, you need to find out what the airline's regulations are about transporting human remains.  There were federal regulations about this.

Best wishes.

[Mike45LC]

I have participated in two scatterings at sea from a cruise ship.  We did not ask anyone for permission, we did not do any forms, we did not tell the cruise line.  We just "littered." 

 

It was a group of about ten people who took numerous cruises together.  One of the group passed away a few months before the cruise.  Her husband brought the cremains on board, and one night, we all had a drink or two in memory of the departed, and then went out on deck -- I think it is called a fantail.  We did not drop the urn into the water, we emptied it out, scattering the ashes.  

 

About three years later, we did the same thing for the husband, after he passed away.   This time, I knew to wear a scarf to keep from inhaling cremains!

 

Every time any of our group take that same cruise again, we have a drink in memory of our two friends who were scattered there -- on the same night, at the same outdoor spot on the stern.  

 

 

[tourismtessy]

1 hour ago, Pam in CA said:

Thanks for thinking of me. I’m not really “dark” but once CC dropped Tapatalk, I found it a PITA to post on CC. And yes, I am active on several roll calls. 
 

Here are my notes from our experience. I’ll probably set it up again for my sister, who passed away a couple of years ago. 
 

Ashes at Sea

 

Updated: You now send your request with your name, ship name, sailing date, and booking number to ashesrequest@princesscruises.com

 

“The purpose of this is to provide information for those who might be considering this. It's illegal to do this on your own without permission or within 12 miles of the U.S. so please keep this in mind if you respond.

 

This is a quote from the response I got from Princess:

 

"Thank you for your request to spread ashes while at sea during your cruise onboard the Sapphire Princess, cruise #XXXX, commencing January 5, 20XX.

 

"We would like to inform you of the following:

 

* Ashes must be contained in a biodegradable urn

* Ashes/Flowers may only be spread in International waters

* In accordance with environmental laws, only ashes, biodegradeable urns and biodegradeable flowers are permitted to be spread overboard. Cards, paper, metals, plastics and other non-biodegradeable items are not permitted.

* Our ships do not employ a Chaplain

 

"The ship will be notified of your request and you shall be contacted while onboard. You will be informed of an appropriate time to carry out the spreading of the ashes. A member of the ship's company will escort you to a suitable private location and stay with you during this time."

 

Once onboard, I went down to the Passenger Services Desk with a copy of the above letter. Naturally, no one at Princess had notified the ship, but not to worry. I received a call from Trent, from Customer Service, the next morning and he told me he would check with the navigator to find out what days and times would be possible. He called me back the next morning to say that any time our third sea day on our way to Acapulco would be fine. After conferring with my sister, we set a time of 11am.

 

We all arrived at the Passenger Services Desk at about 10:45am and were met by Manuel, who was going to help us. He had arranged for a gorgeous flower arrangement (at no cost) for us to toss with the ashes and led us up to deck 7 aft. He had two crew members stationed on both sides of the ship who closed off the back of Promenade deck after we passed by. We went to the very back of the ship and had a few quiet moments while my nephew opened the box and then sent Jim's ashes out to sea. I followed with the wreath. We stayed there for about 10 minutes, each wrapped in our own thoughts and memories. It was very short and simple.

 

Princess couldn't have been more supportive or sympathetic. They were respectful, and it was just the way my brother-in-law would have wanted it, and my sister was comfortable with. 

 

The above is not for everyone, obviously, but in case this is yours or your loved one's wishes, I wanted to share. “

Thank you Pam for this detailed response.

Edited May 30, 2021 by tourismtessy

[1025cruise]

34 minutes ago, Mike45LC said:

I have participated in two scatterings at sea from a cruise ship.  We did not ask anyone for permission, we did not do any forms, we did not tell the cruise line.  We just "littered." 

 

It was a group of about ten people who took numerous cruises together.  One of the group passed away a few months before the cruise.  Her husband brought the cremains on board, and one night, we all had a drink or two in memory of the departed, and then went out on deck -- I think it is called a fantail.  We did not drop the urn into the water, we emptied it out, scattering the ashes.  

 

About three years later, we did the same thing for the husband, after he passed away.   This time, I knew to wear a scarf to keep from inhaling cremains!

 

Every time any of our group take that same cruise again, we have a drink in memory of our two friends who were scattered there -- on the same night, at the same outdoor spot on the stern.  

 

 

You're lucky you didn't get into trouble. There are rules as to where you can do this. Not to mention the risk of "blowback".

[Steelers36]

3 hours ago, Mike45LC said:

I have participated in two scatterings at sea from a cruise ship.  We did not ask anyone for permission, we did not do any forms, we did not tell the cruise line.  We just "littered." 

 

It was a group of about ten people who took numerous cruises together.  One of the group passed away a few months before the cruise.  Her husband brought the cremains on board, and one night, we all had a drink or two in memory of the departed, and then went out on deck -- I think it is called a fantail.  We did not drop the urn into the water, we emptied it out, scattering the ashes.  

 

About three years later, we did the same thing for the husband, after he passed away.   This time, I knew to wear a scarf to keep from inhaling cremains!

 

Every time any of our group take that same cruise again, we have a drink in memory of our two friends who were scattered there -- on the same night, at the same outdoor spot on the stern.  

 

 

You should use a biodegradable urn and have the ashes loose inside.

 

[DougandEric]

We did this with my husbands brother's ashes.  But it was on HAL.  My TA called the cruise line, a note was made on the reservation and we had to have biodegradable urn or box.  The one we bought was on Amazon and was some kind of paper in a pillow shape with a bio bag.  The crematorium transferred the ashes for us and Eric included Kurt's cats tags who had died a few years before.

 

When we went through security at the port, they asked what it was and we explained and offered to open the box the package was in but they said it was OK.  We contacted the front desk the next day and they said it would definitely be a sea day probably on the way down to Aruba but the final time and location would be up to the captain.  The next day we were given the date and time and told to meet at the front desk around 3PM.  It was just the two us.  We met the purser who escorted us through the dining room on the Konningsdam to the after promenade deck.  Staff were positioned on either side to prevent passengers from coming through.  We said a few words and sent Kurt overboard.  Very easy.  We went back to the stateroom and opened a bottle of champagne and toasted Kurt.

 

It was pointed out to us that another ceremony for the grandmother of another family was done earlier in the day and some of the members got handfuls of ashes and threw them.  Unfortunately, a large handful landed on the ducktail below the ship name and remained there until a day or so before we returned to port (14 day cruise).  Grandma truly got scattered and saw the Caribbean up close and personal.  On anther cruise, a wreath and ashes were plastered on the rear window of the dining room from another ceremony.  I highly recommend throwing the entire package overboard as stories of the wind shifting and blowing it back on the mourners as many.  It may not even be allowed to throw handful of ashes by some lines.

 

 

[rbtan]

On 5/28/2021 at 7:43 PM, tourismtessy said:

Does anyone know if Princess has a program that lets you spread loved ones ashes at sea? I know carnival does but can’t find out anything on the princess website.

I'm sure they must offer it as they are part of Carnivore Corp. I'm sure my Spouse would flush my ashes & call it a burial at sea.