Procedure for Spreading Ashes at Sea

[cruzsnooze]

Never had to do this before but a cruising buddy dies and I would like to honor her request.

[Guardsy]

Keep in mind that if you are flying, you need paperwork for the ashes.

[cruzsnooze]

3 minutes ago, Guardsy said:

Keep in mind that if you are flying, you need paperwork for the ashes.

I am not flying with the ashes so that won't be an issue. I believe it needs to be in a biodegradable container. 

[Rick&Jeannie]

Just contact the cruise line...they have set procedures for this.

[cruzsnooze]

11 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Just contact the cruise line...they have set procedures for this.

I will but we all know their reps are less then knowledgeable and frequently give out wrong information. The best way to learn something is from anyone who already did this. 

[Rick&Jeannie]

Sorry...I did not mean through the "normal" channel.  (Agree with you why...)

 

Try:

 

ashesrequest@princesscruises.com

 

I found this address in another thread.

[cruzsnooze]

7 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Sorry...I did not mean through the "normal" channel.  (Agree with you why...)

 

Try:

 

ashesrequest@princesscruises.com

 

I found this address in another thread.

Thank You

[JerseyGirlatHeart]

Did this for my MIL in Feb 2021, it was an easy process.  Princess did an outstanding job allowing us to “drop” her ashes in special dignified way.  They supplied music, an officer escort, and a table for ashes.  
 

 

[CruisinChris]

A little more info.  The request is coordinated through Marine Operations.  They will tell you to contact and coordinate with someone at Passenger Services (a specific person).  You will meet with them early on to coordinate.  They will want to know if you have a desired place to do the ashes and he/she will coordinate with the navigational team on the bridge on the when and where.  There are restrictions about where this can be done.  As previously mentioned, the will coordinate with you and help make it as special or simple as you like.  You will escorted a safe place on the ship from where the ashes can be tossed (must be in an approved sea-friendly biodegradable urn - see the Neptune Society).  In my case, we were taken to line handling area aft on the Coral.  We were escorted by the individual from Passenger services as well as a security officer.  The boatswains on deck stood at a polite distance from us, paused their work and bowed their heads.  Princess managed this in a very dignified and sympathetic way for and we were able to give our mother, a former CC member here, a lovely send off from on her favorite ships.  

[LACruiser88]

3 minutes ago, CruisinChris said:

A little more info.  The request is coordinated through Marine Operations.  They will tell you to contact and coordinate with someone at Passenger Services (a specific person).  You will meet with them early on to coordinate.  They will want to know if you have a desired place to do the ashes and he/she will coordinate with the navigational team on the bridge on the when and where.  There are restrictions about where this can be done.  As previously mentioned, the will coordinate with you and help make it as special or simple as you like.  You will escorted a safe place on the ship from where the ashes can be tossed (must be in an approved sea-friendly biodegradable urn - see the Neptune Society).  In my case, we were taken to line handling area aft on the Coral.  We were escorted by the individual from Passenger services as well as a security officer.  The boatswains on deck stood at a polite distance from us, paused their work and bowed their heads.  Princess managed this in a very dignified and sympathetic way for and we were able to give our mother, a former CC member here, a lovely send off from on her favorite ships.  

We had same experience with my mother's ashes, very dignified. RIP ❤️

[Senga]

Very interesting thread.  I incorrectly assumed it was something to be done by stealth.  Wonderful to know how dignified the process is in reality.  I always used to joke that I wanted my ashes interred in one of the beautiful vases on my favourite Celebrity ship but this sounds more realistic.  It's my 73rd birthday today but I'm planning on carrying on for many years to come!

[Mike45LC]

Like Senga, I always thought this was a stealth operation.  We've done it twice, for a husband and wife (at separate times).  Both as close to the Mex-CA border as we could guess.  They were long-time Princess cruisers, and did the Los Angeles - Mex Riv cruises frequently.  There was a group of about ten of us who cruised together, and we honored their wishes.

[Thrak]

1 hour ago, Senga said:

Very interesting thread.  I incorrectly assumed it was something to be done by stealth.  Wonderful to know how dignified the process is in reality.  I always used to joke that I wanted my ashes interred in one of the beautiful vases on my favourite Celebrity ship but this sounds more realistic.  It's my 73rd birthday today but I'm planning on carrying on for many years to come!

 

Happy Birthday! (I just turned 70 this month and I'm not at all interested in quitting yet. 😀)

[Senga]

10 hours ago, Thrak said:

 

Happy Birthday! (I just turned 70 this month and I'm not at all interested in quitting yet. 😀)

Unfortunately we often say now, glad we’re closer to the end of our lives than the beginning.  The world and its inhabitants just keep getting crazier!  😢

[venicecruiser]

I put my late husbands ashes off the back of the Grand after he died in 2012.  He always wanted his ashes put in the Caribbean Sea.  Princess was absolutely wonderful in dealing with this.  I had made the arrangements prior to boarding the ship but went to Guest Services and reminded them that I wanted to be in the Caribbean Sea when this was done.  I was notified when that would be and was escorted to the back of the deck by an officer who had the area closed off and told me to take all the time I needed.  A day or so later I received a note from the Capt. expressing his sympathy and giving the co-ordinates of where we were when I put the ashes overboard.

 

I will always be grateful to Princess for the way they handled this.