Memorial at sea, Carnival was wonderful

[Shelbyscout]

We just returned from a 3-night Mexican Rivera on the Imagination and I wanted to share our story.

 

This was our annual "girl's cruise" with close friends. Tragically and suddenly, we lost two good friends 4 days before embarkation. They hadn't been scheduled on this cruise but it was devastating for our little group. We cruised anyway, but wanted to do something special to remember our friends. Before we left I looked up whether you can throw flowers overboard or not. I found that you can, and you can also scatter ashes if you bring them too. I called Carnival and they said that Guest Services would make the arrangements onboard. I was told that leaving from Los Angeles, we wouldn't be able to bring our own flowers aboard, so we ordered some from the Fun Shops.

 

Speaking with Guest Services was easy and they were very compassionate. We set up a time for our memorial and they let us know we would be escorted to a private area of the ship. When the time arrived, we were met by the Environmental Officer, a Guest Services crew member, and another crew member. They took us into a lower level of the ship in back into a crew-only area that has direct (but safe) access to the water behind the ship.

 

The crew members then stepped aside, giving us space and privacy to remember our friends. We cast out red and yellow roses in their memory. It was truly beautiful and just what our friends would have wanted. We were allowed to take pictures and all the time we needed. Afterwards we were escorted back to our cabin.

 

Throughout the whole process, the Carnival crew were kind, compassionate, and professional. I didn't even know you could do this on a cruise ship but it was just what we needed. I cannot say enough good things about how compassionate and caring the crew was.

 

Finally, unexpectedly, the last night of the cruise we received a portfolio that had a picture of the ship and a condolence letter. In the letter was recorded the date, time, and exact position/coordinates of the ship when we held our memorial. It was really unexpected and meant a lot to us. We have always cruised Carnival as the "fun ship" but they really go above and beyond in these situations too.

[cynt]

My condolences.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Forums mobile app

[cruisegal134]

I am sorry for your loss, but what a lovely tribute to your friends. It is heartwarming to read and it really sounds like Carnival went above and beyond for you.

[Clarea]

Very nice memorial. Royal Caribbean did something very similar for us when we did a burial at sea some years ago.

[jimbo5544]

Thanks for posting this, sorry for your loss and nice to hear Carnival stepped up to the plate.

[Shelbyscout]

Thank you everyone. Carnival was really wonderful.

[You Me & the Sea]

My deepest condolences. Glad Carnival was able to make your memorial special.

[grumpyjr88]

I'm so sorry for your losses.

 

We did the same thing with my mom's ashes on Breeze and it is something I will treasure always.

[mosaic_mom]

My condolences.

 

We did the same thing with flowers on the Magic after we lost my daughter. Carnival was very good about the whole thing and very respectful.

[Shirleybird]

Your post made me cry. I just lost my brother on Jan 10th. Before his dearly departed wife took ill, they had been on 17 Carnival cruises together. After her passing I begged my brother to join us on a cruise to no avail. He said it just wouldn't be the same. My husband and I are going on a cruise, just the two of us, this upcoming May. This may be something I would like to do to honor there love for each other as well as there love for cruising with Carnival. My deepest condolences to you and your family and friends.

[Ehpride]

Thank you for posting this. My mom and I are going to do a ceremony for my grandma on our next cruise. It sounds like Carnival does a nice job with it. I'm sorry for your loss.