Spreading ashes while on cruise

[workermom]

Does Princess allow you to spread cremated ashes at sea?  If yes, what is the process?  I’ve called Princess 3 times and sent 2 emails with no response 🥴. Thank you 

[Outerdog]

I have done it. It was about 5 years ago, so the customer service aspect may be different now than it was then. Princess allows it and you need to arrange it through them. 

 

We contacted Princess about a week or two ahead of our cruise (it was a last minute decision for us). They will communicate the arrangement with the ship. You will need to purchase a biodegradable urn from a third-party. These do not "seal" very well, but well enough to move around the ship. You take the ashes in the plastic bag to the ship in your luggage, then transfer them to the biodegradable urn on the ship. Depending on your family's sense of humor, the whole thing can take on a Weekend At Berne's vibe.

 

Once onboard and after having arranged this through Princess, one of the ships officers will contact you and arrange a time and location. For us, it was Deck 7 aft. They closed off the promenade and gave us some time. The captain was there who said a few words (which I thought was quite nice) and then you toss the urn into the sea.

 

The next day, you will receive written communication stating your loved one was laid to rest at sea, showing the time and the ship's precise position along with some nice words. I think they sent a small flower arrangement as well. Princess handles this very well (at least they did, hope they still do). Zero cost

 

My mother's location..

 

 

 

 

[Shaver John]

What a nice way to send off a loved one. We did the same on a private ship off Oregon Coast, but without the captain speaking and the paperwork. Wish we had known this. Our parents traveled a LOT on Princess and would have approved of this.

[mina]

Are you using the general email or this one for burial at sea requests. Ashesrequest@princesscruises.com?  They will give you instructions.  Be sure to also look into transport by air if you are flying.  Some airlines  specific requirements and transport has to be in suitable urns to go through TSA as you do not want to check the ashes and have them lost. plus a required biodegradable urn is required by princess..  We did this with our brother, it was a special ceremony and very easy to arrange.  Just fyi, you do not spread the. Ashes, simply place the biodegradable urn over the rail. 

Edited June 24, 2023 by mina

[startedwithamouse]

You'll meet with Captain's Circle host and Environmental officer to finalize details once onboard. 

 

Ashes are spread, they are tossed off in a container that's environmentally friendly.

[workermom]

Thank you!  Very much appreciate your responses.  I tried ashesrequest@princesscruises.com but the email did not go through tried twice).  I was then given askoceanmedallion@carnival.com (given to me by a Princess live chat) and I have had no response.  Fortunately, we are an hour drive from the port, no issues with flying.  thank you again!

[GStonelake]

We did this in Feb 2022 for my MIL.  Princess did such a great job. I emailed the request to:

 

 ashesrequest@princesscruises.com.  

 

In the email you will want to include your 

 

Ship: 

Sailing date:  

Booking number: 

 

It may take them a little bit to get back to you as this is handled onboard.  A few things to note, you must have the ashes in a biodegradable earn (I got one from Amazon) this can only be done in international waters.  Princess will advise you of any other requirements on their end when they get back to you.

[nasa1974]

I got this response from Princess. 

mina gave the correct email needed for communication with Princess. Ashesrequest@princesscruises.com

 

Below are our guidelines for the disbursement of ashes at sea:

 

• Ashes must be brought aboard already contained in a biodegradable/water soluble urn and must be unopened as it enters the water (suitable materials include: sand & gelatin / paper pillows or boxes / salt urns / clay urns – bamboo is not a recommended material)
• Certificate or receipt must be presented as proof that the urn is biodegradable and complies with environmental regulations
• Loose ashes are unable to be scattered due to the windy nature of the decks while at sea
• The transfer of ashes into an urn cannot be done by ship’s personnel
• Biodegradable packages/containers are not available for sale onboard the ship
• Ashes may only be spread in international waters
• Scattering of flowers/flower petals may or may not be permitted and will be at the discretion of the Officers onboard
• Ashes may not be released in Alaskan waters, however, there are opportunities to disperse ashes during Alaskan cruises in international waters. Exact locations will be decided by the Deck Officers onboard, due to several factors and regulations that must be considered
• In accordance with environmental regulations, only ashes, biodegradable urns, and biodegradable flowers (where allowable) are permitted to be spread overboard.  Cards, paper, metals, plastics, and other non-biodegradable items are not permitted
• Our ships do not employ a Chaplain

 

We will notify the ship of your request and you will be contacted while on board to arrange an appropriate time to carry out the spreading of ashes.  A member of the ship’s company will escort you to a suitable private location and stay with you during this time.

 

This service usually takes place on sea days. Please note the exact time and location of this service is ultimately at the discretion of the Deck Officers onboard due to several factors and regulations that must be considered.

 

If you would like to move forward with this complimentary service, please provide the name of the deceased so we can prepare a letter for you to bring onboard. The scattering of flowers may or may not be available dependent on the physical geographic location of the ship during the service. If it is possible and you would like to be able to scatter flowers as well, please confirm as we would need to notify the ship ahead of time.

 

Thank you and I will look forward to assisting you in this delicate matter.

 

Amazon offers a lot of different types of biodegradable urns. There are instructions on how to use the biodegradable urn.

I did a burial at sea of some of my wife's ashes on a Royal Caribbean cruise this past March. I would send an email at least a month in advance of your cruise. With Royal Caribbean I had to go to passenger services the first day on the ship and show them the death certificate, the cremation certificate and the proof of purchase of the biodegradable urn. I would suggest you have these documents in case they ask for them. Better to have and not need just in case.

[Torfamm]

Is this the contact you used? ashesrequest@princesscruises.com

[workermom]

It is.  I just tried for the 3rd time.  Maybe 3rd time will be the charm!

[workermom]

48 minutes ago, nasa1974 said:

I got this response from Princess. 

mina gave the correct email needed for communication with Princess. Ashesrequest@princesscruises.com

 

Below are our guidelines for the disbursement of ashes at sea:

 

• Ashes must be brought aboard already contained in a biodegradable/water soluble urn and must be unopened as it enters the water (suitable materials include: sand & gelatin / paper pillows or boxes / salt urns / clay urns – bamboo is not a recommended material)
• Certificate or receipt must be presented as proof that the urn is biodegradable and complies with environmental regulations
• Loose ashes are unable to be scattered due to the windy nature of the decks while at sea
• The transfer of ashes into an urn cannot be done by ship’s personnel
• Biodegradable packages/containers are not available for sale onboard the ship
• Ashes may only be spread in international waters
• Scattering of flowers/flower petals may or may not be permitted and will be at the discretion of the Officers onboard
• Ashes may not be released in Alaskan waters, however, there are opportunities to disperse ashes during Alaskan cruises in international waters. Exact locations will be decided by the Deck Officers onboard, due to several factors and regulations that must be considered
• In accordance with environmental regulations, only ashes, biodegradable urns, and biodegradable flowers (where allowable) are permitted to be spread overboard.  Cards, paper, metals, plastics, and other non-biodegradable items are not permitted
• Our ships do not employ a Chaplain

 

We will notify the ship of your request and you will be contacted while on board to arrange an appropriate time to carry out the spreading of ashes.  A member of the ship’s company will escort you to a suitable private location and stay with you during this time.

 

This service usually takes place on sea days. Please note the exact time and location of this service is ultimately at the discretion of the Deck Officers onboard due to several factors and regulations that must be considered.

 

If you would like to move forward with this complimentary service, please provide the name of the deceased so we can prepare a letter for you to bring onboard. The scattering of flowers may or may not be available dependent on the physical geographic location of the ship during the service. If it is possible and you would like to be able to scatter flowers as well, please confirm as we would need to notify the ship ahead of time.

 

Thank you and I will look forward to assisting you in this delicate matter.

 

Amazon offers a lot of different types of biodegradable urns. There are instructions on how to use the biodegradable urn.

I did a burial at sea of some of my wife's ashes on a Royal Caribbean cruise this past March. I would send an email at least a month in advance of your cruise. With Royal Caribbean I had to go to passenger services the first day on the ship and show them the death certificate, the cremation certificate and the proof of purchase of the biodegradable urn. I would suggest you have these documents in case they ask for them. Better to have and not need just in case.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!