On Deck for the Cure, Cruise Critic & Your Stories

[LauraS]

Carnival Cruise Lines has taken the fight against breast cancer to the high seas with On Deck for the Cure, a fundraising walk that happens on every Carnival sailing to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Throughout October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Cruise Critic will be teaming up with Carnival to raise awareness of this program among cruise passengers by publishing photos, personal stories and daily fun facts about both On Deck and Komen for the Cure.

 

Have you participated in a walk onboard, whether on your own, with your family or among a group of friends? We have been moved by our own walks with the program, and now we want to hear your stories: why you decided to walk and how it changed your outlook or your vacation experience. Share them here and inspire others to get “on deck”! Each week in October, we’ll pick one story for publication on Cruise Critic’s dedicated On Deck for the Cure page.

 

We created nametags that you can wear on your On Deck for the Cure Walk!

Download them here: On Deck for the Cure Nametags

Tip: Nametags are designed to print perfectly on Avery #5264 labels, which can be used on Inkjet or Laser Printers.

 

 

Laura

[sail7seas]

We are extremely fortunate that we have no history of breast cancer in our family (yet) but we know the devastation of this disease as friends have certainly been touched by it.

 

When HAL began its association with the Susan G. Komen Foundation we applauded this and have participated in The Walk right from the start.

 

We always sign up though we do not always finish the walk. It is 5K and is a bit too far for us but that is fine. There is wonderful companionship, friendship and spirit among the walkers and no one is asked to do more than they are comfortable doing. Some folks make a contribution, wear the t-shirt HAL provides all who make the contribution/sign up and they cheer the walkers on.

 

One memorable walk was on Maasdam, sailing a Canada New England Itinerary and Arjen van der Loo was Captain. Simon de Boer was brand new Hotel Manager and they both led the walkers. Captain van der Loo was training for a Marathon at the time and was in great shape. He started off at a walking pace I can only dream about. :) By the time he completed the 5k he had 'lapped' every single walker and there were lots of us. Some folks in great shape shook their heads as he 'glided' by. :)

 

HAL has raised huge sums of money through the years and I think it a wonderful association they support this cause. We will always sign up and contribute to the The Walk on each of our cruises.

 

Look for an announcement about it in The Daily Program. It is written up a few days in advance to give people time to sign up, get their t-shirts (and sometimes a pink rubber bracelet) and plan to walk. On some cruises, they send around a separate sheet announcing The Walk to each cabin. Should you not see the Notice, ask the Front Office. They will happily give you details.

 

 

Laura..... THANK YOU for putting up this sticky. Wonderful!!!

 

 

[ViolaSwamp]

How cool! I will be sure to bring my sneakers aboard. I am a 5K runner so I would be thrilled to do one at sea!! :cool:

[sail7seas]

No running, Viola. It's a Walk. :)

 

[jjduck]

Hi Laura,

 

Thanks for creating a sticky to highlight a most worthwhile event.

 

We cruised with HAL for the first time this past June and thanks to CC, I was aware of the Walk and proudly participated, wearing the pink Komen memorial "card" honoring my mother. My byline was that I race with my mother on my back. :) (I've logged all the marathons and walks over the past three years and it was fun to notate one done at sea!)

 

We attended the Indonesian tea the afternoon before and met a young couple who was also interested in fitness. And by a wonderful coincidence, we saw them during the walk. The young gal was telling us how she wanted to get more serious about doing 5K's at home and the Komen event boosted her enthusiasm even more. Wow, could this gal walk fast. LOL! She was young enough to be my daughter and it was delightful to inspire each other during the walk. The friendliness of the group was outstanding and one of the top memories of the cruise.

 

So, thanks for bringing awareness thru cruise critic.

 

Aloha,

Noreen.

[GoldieJ]

Hi, Laura,

Thanks for bringing this worthwhile cause to our attention. I am looking forward to participating during the crossing to Hawaii.

[BM64]

Hi Laura,

 

I would like to share my experience with you. My husband and I partcipated in the walk on our March trip aboard the Noordam. It was a great experience. The day was beautiful, we were leaving San Juan as the walk began, which was led by our cruise director. I was diagnosed in November 2007 with breast cancer and upon our return from the trip I would be undergoing a masectomy. So, this was extremely important and emotional for me.

 

At the beginning of the race they ask if there are any breast cancer survivors in the group and and would they please come to the front of the line. My usband said go but I said I don't feel right about that yet. After we fiished the 5k, I said to myself I need to book another trip because next time I will be in the front with all the other incredible, strong survivors!!!

 

Thank you HAL for taking interest in such a wonderful cause that is so near and dear to my heart.

[Live4cruises]

We've been on 2 HAL trips since this program began, and I've done the walk on both of them. Once it was a little cold, and of course both times it was windy, and sometimes my nose runs. I occasionally think I could be lounging on the balcony, but slap down that thought with the memory of my mother tolerating chemo and a host of other indignities without complaint, and always with grace. I throw in an extra lap for good measure.

 

Hooray to Carnival Corp and HAL for sponsoring these events! We have a Carnival trip booked in '09 and another HAL in '10, and you can expect to see my smiling face On Deck for the Cure on both.

[*Mach*]

Good morning, all!

Host Mach checking in from on board the Carnival Conquest in beautiful Montego Bay!

Cruise Director Ralph Valente as been advertising the Walk for the Cure since the Welcome Aboard Show Sunday evening.

I lost my mother many years ago to breast cancer. She died much too young.

The Walk has special meaning for me as it does for thousands of others. This Saturday will mark my third Walk in a year.

I applaud Carnival PLC for the efforts they're making in this arena. Time, dedication, money and awareness are all necessary to combat this dreaded disease.

I urge all who are on sailings of six days or more to participate and donate.

Thanks.

Mach

[photojunkieEMT]

My Mom, sister, and I are on a Relay for Life team here at home. We have had cancer hit us way too often to think about so we try to help out anyway we can. We walked on the Miracle during the Sept 14th cruise. When survivors were asked to come to the front to lead the walk it was so neat to see the 88 year old woman walking with her walker. Then to be able to talk to her daughters and find out that the walk was happening on their father's birthday, who had recently passed away after a battle with lung cancer.

 

What a huge thing that Carnival is doing and it only takes $10 and about 30-45 minutes of our vacation. And, to hear that they will continue to do it as long as there is interest...so, we should be doing it forever, was awesome.

[missouri_chick]

I too also participated in the walk. Mom mom fought lung cancer and now has brain cancer.What a great feeling to know you are helping out in such a very small way. The ones who weren't walking clapped and cheered with every lap.I was hoping the walk would be available on the bloggers cruise,maybe it's something they can add to the 5 day sailings as well. Thanks for creating this thread!

[sunlover5]

We have not had breast cancer in our family but both my parents and our dear,wonderful son lost their lives to cancer.

So this past March my husband and I signed up for the walk. We were on the Carnival Liberty and our captain headed the walk. It was so emotional to see all the t-shirts and then come around the corner and everyone was cheering, clapping, yelling for us. WHAT A GREAT EVENT!!!!

Everytime we put those t-shirts on at home it reminds us of not only a wonderful cruise but the wonderful work Carnival is doing!!! Thank You!

[dk1]

A group of us participated in The Walk onboard the Legend in Nov 07. My sis had just recovered from a BC surgery at the time and was with us. Some folks walked, some folks ran. We all paid a $10 entry fee and received a shirt and some other schtuff, for our efforts. The Asst CD told me that we raised over $1600 in that one hour.

I am now part of a group going on the Carnival Freedom for a Breast Cancer fund raiser (Save the Tatas) on Jan 31. Can't wait!

 

DK

[kmcantwait]

I am soo excited to see CC hosting this event. I am going on my first cruise in November and I will definitly be participating in the walk.

I am a two time survivor( I am only in my early thirties) and it really makes a difference when you see people that care about making a difference. Thanks to everyone that participates!!!:p

[mamasue]

DH and I did the walk last Sunday on the Destiny. The assistant cruise director that attended was disappointed at the small number of people that attended. BUT....it wasn't advertised by the entertainment staff to my knowledge at all..... we just saw it in the Capers.

We were happy to do the walk..... I'm a breast cancer survivor of 11 years.

The walk is no big deal.... just 1 mile around the walking deck..... no competing ... the important thing is giving the donation, whether you can walk a mile or not. I wore my t-shirt and pink band with pride..... and we'll do the walk on every cruise from now on.

[Randy & Carmen]

Hey Laura.....Ironically I'm wearing my walk for the cure t-shirt today they give you for doing the walk......I've done it several times and even wore the pink wrist band......But one story you should hear is from Goincruisin (Chris)...I was on the sailing of the Saints & Sinners 3 last Fall and they all got out there in their black group shirts and I saw it on the monitor...looked like a sea of Saints & Sinners out there doing the walk.....too cool!:D

[LambKnuckles]

I walked just last Saturday, 9/27/08, aboard the CONQUEST!! I've got 30 photos of the walk, and I'd be happy to share them!!

I lost my husband over three years ago... Three days after Christmas... (Not from Breast Cancer, but any progress in cancer cure will benefit all types...) I will support the cause in EVERY way I can. My daughter began asking if we could Walk on Deck for the Cure when she first read about it. This was our first opportunity... But I understand it's on all 2 ships now. We'll repeat it in Dec on the Ecstasy and again in Feb on the Fantasy... and again... and again...

The number of walkers last Saturday was inspiring!! WOW!!! Kyle, the assistant Cruise Director, lead the walk with those affected by any type of cancer... His thumbs up at the beginning is one of my favorite photos!! The 11 laps were treasured!! I talked with strangers, but we all became one family, one purpose, one goal by the end of the walk!!! We hugged each other, shared pink lemonade, and wore our shirts and pink braclets proudly!!! Our badges of honor!!!

 

How wonderful and truly inspiring it is for CARNIVAL to step up and support this cause!! To show true Corporate spirit by supporting research and finding a cure for a killer of our loved ones. The Cancer Fight is win-able!!! I pray it's within my lifetime!!!

COME ON EVERYONE!!! It's a minimum $10 donation... You get a Tshirt and a pink bracelet and a wonderful memory and good feeling!! Become a part of the cure!!! Become a part of the research!!! BECOME A WALKER ON DECK FOR THE CURE!!!

[Thirsty Cruiser]

My DS and I participated last summer, but I was quite disappointed in the turnout. With a ship full of people in the middle of the ocean, with nothing they HAVE to do, and a wonderful vacation, how could they not give back a little bit? I know that many people have their own charities that they may give to, but really the cost was no more than a couple of beers or a souvenir. I really would have liked to see more people show up. In all fairness, I had hear about it on CC and already decided to participate before I boarded, so maybe a little more "advertising" on board would increase awareness and get more people involved. Just a thought. :)

[jessemon]

Hey Laura.....Ironically I'm wearing my walk for the cure t-shirt today they give you for doing the walk......I've done it several times and even wore the pink wrist band......But one story you should hear is from Goincruisin (Chris)...I was on the sailing of the Saints & Sinners 3 last Fall and they all got out there in their black group shirts and I saw it on the monitor...looked like a sea of Saints & Sinners out there doing the walk.....too cool!:D

Randy, you are right it was great on the S&S3 sailing last year. Everyone (I think) from the group turned out. Thanks to "Glo" for letting us all know about it in the group forum we had. She posted it (the walk) and within 24 hours 40 people committed. It was great. By the time Carnival had the walk all hundred (I think that number is about right) were walking in our Saints and Sinners black shirts. Almost 400 people that day on the Liberty turned out.

I wear my "Walk" t-shirt proudly when I go out.

 

On a side note. Glo's hubby had had a stroke sometime before the cruise. He was determined to do a couple of laps and did. He was very proud to do this wonderful thing. When he couldn't make another lap he sat down and cheered us on.

My point is, if you can't do this walk due to health you can put up the ten bucks....get your t-shirt and wristband and cheer the rest of the folks along......It was fun doing laps and have people clapping and hooting when we walked by.....

 

Remember folks....The life you help save might be a loved one's or your own.....;)

[vacruizer]

I've done the walk twice now on the Carnival Liberty. It's a great way to burn off some of those cruise calories while supporting such a great cause. It's shocking how many people come forward when they ask for the survivors to lead the walk. We had a large contingent from the CC "Lifers" participate in July - it's great that the CC groups are starting to participating together. $10 is nothing for most of us, especially considering how much most people drop onboard in the casino or on drinks, yet it can make such a difference fighting this horrible disease.

[memphiscruiser68]

I have been reading about these events on Carnival and we were so looking forward to taking part on the Conquest in September, but Hurricaine Ike had other plans......... We have re-booked for the Fantasy 11-01-08. Have they started doing the "walk for the cure" on the 5 day trips? There is conflicting info here...... Anyone have some facts? My Mothers sister passed away in the early 80's from BC. We will take part each chance we are given for this cause! Thanks to everyone who takes part!

[jessemon]

I have been reading about these events on Carnival and we were so looking forward to taking part on the Conquest in September, but Hurricaine Ike had other plans......... We have re-booked for the Fantasy 11-01-08. Have they started doing the "walk for the cure" on the 5 day trips? There is conflicting info here...... Anyone have some facts? My Mothers sister passed away in the early 80's from BC. We will take part each chance we are given for this cause! Thanks to everyone who takes part!

No...not on the Fantasy. They are doing it on the Elation. Only cruise under 7 days that they do it.....

[gizzie]

I just lost my cousin on September 12th of this year, so in her honor I will proudly be doing this walk in a few days.:o

[ilovroma]

I am new to this and want to know how to connect with other cruisers on this cruise for shore excursions. Can you help? Also, do you know which of the at sea days they will hold the breast cancer walk on this cruise?

[Wendell Pendell]

I did this walk on the HAL Westerdam in Alaska last May. It wasn't really on my radar screen until I learned that one of my dinner tablemates was a breast cancer survivor. So I did the walk in her honor, and it felt good. She appreciated it too. (Her husband didn't go! What the hell was HE thinking!?! No nooky for a month! ;)) I ran into another woman I had met earlier who is also a fast walker, so we walked together and that was fun.

 

It's a great opportunity to help other people while participating with other nice people, and also walking off a few of those cruise ship calories!

 

Thanks to Carnival for adding this to Carnival's cruises! I look forward to doing this walk again when I cruise on the Carnival Spirit to Acapulco next month.

 

Wendell