Husky1987 Posted May 29, 2018 #1 Share Posted May 29, 2018 My mom, brother and I were on Explorer last week and I wanted to give some kudos to Royal Caribbean for a job well done. My mom and dad went on about 40 cruises from 1984 until my dad's passing in 2013, well over 30 of them with Royal. We decided between the three of us about a year ago to take this cruise and that we wanted to spread some of dad's ashes along the way. I contacted RC (thanks to some specific instructions in an old thread) and was told what I needed. Tuesday last week, I went to Guest Services and talked with them and they later came back letting me know that 11:00 Wednesday would be a good time. We went to Guest Services at 10:50 and were led by the Guest Services Manager, an environmental officer and two security guys to Deck 2, into the crew area. Security was walking in front of us and were actually keeping some crew members in side hallways so we could walk freely. When we got to the back (the area where the tie lines come out of the aft), we were led to the little wing that we could all stand on and be out over the sea. They told us to spend as much time as we needed, and they stood back and let us be out there for about five minutes while we dropped the biodegradable urn into the water. The RC personnel were all very professional and respectful and wonderful to deal with. The two security officers were the ones actually letting people off the ship in Victoria the next day on Thursday, and recognized us and stopped the line quickly to give my mom hugs. Anyway....I read enough on here about all the things that are horrible on cruise ships, so I just wanted to throw this out there that sometimes they do good :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted May 29, 2018 #2 Share Posted May 29, 2018 My mom, brother and I were on Explorer last week and I wanted to give some kudos to Royal Caribbean for a job well done. My mom and dad went on about 40 cruises from 1984 until my dad's passing in 2013, well over 30 of them with Royal. We decided between the three of us about a year ago to take this cruise and that we wanted to spread some of dad's ashes along the way. I contacted RC (thanks to some specific instructions in an old thread) and was told what I needed. Tuesday last week, I went to Guest Services and talked with them and they later came back letting me know that 11:00 Wednesday would be a good time. We went to Guest Services at 10:50 and were led by the Guest Services Manager, an environmental officer and two security guys to Deck 2, into the crew area. Security was walking in front of us and were actually keeping some crew members in side hallways so we could walk freely. When we got to the back (the area where the tie lines come out of the aft), we were led to the little wing that we could all stand on and be out over the sea. They told us to spend as much time as we needed, and they stood back and let us be out there for about five minutes while we dropped the biodegradable urn into the water. The RC personnel were all very professional and respectful and wonderful to deal with. The two security officers were the ones actually letting people off the ship in Victoria the next day on Thursday, and recognized us and stopped the line quickly to give my mom hugs. Anyway....I read enough on here about all the things that are horrible on cruise ships, so I just wanted to throw this out there that sometimes they do good :) Great story and a fitting end for your late Dad's ashes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohninDC Posted May 29, 2018 #3 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Thanks for sharing. Never knew RCI or any cruise line offered this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voyager70 Posted May 29, 2018 #4 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Thanks for sharing your touching story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted May 29, 2018 #5 Share Posted May 29, 2018 While I hate to use this phrase given the circumstances, it is my understanding that all cruise lines are happy to assist with this particular service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NolaFireLI Posted May 29, 2018 #6 Share Posted May 29, 2018 What a wonderful story - memories you will always have!! Kudos to the great crew onboard! Very touching - thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyNameIsGermy Posted May 29, 2018 #7 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Thank you for sharing that with us. I'm glad your family was able to do this. Godspeed! -germ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueSkySailing Posted May 29, 2018 #8 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Thank you for sharing your story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted May 29, 2018 #9 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Very touching, I'm glad Royal could accommodate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepsi36 Posted May 29, 2018 #10 Share Posted May 29, 2018 That's so lovely. I should like to have my ashes buried at sea as cruising is what I love best in the world (after my family and dog ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plus1cruiser Posted May 29, 2018 #11 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Thank you for sharing. So sweet for your family to be able to do that with Royal’s approval. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BecciBoo Posted May 29, 2018 #12 Share Posted May 29, 2018 I wanted to disperse some of my Dad's ashes at Pearl Harbor (approx. a Teaspoon no urn) they would not let me do that. Unless you were present on Dec. 7th 1941 you cannot do it. My Dad was a submariner stationed at Pearl just after the attack. We had already done the ceremony in Arkansas, in a river he loved there. So I had just a minute amount left in my little bottle. We were on Legend to Hawaii at the time, so one day as we neared the clock tower at the passenger pier, I just went to the back of the ship on the promenade deck and let them fly. Of course they blew down into the wake behind us, no one would've known it. I didn't want to have trouble with RCCL so I just felt like not making a big deal of it. Then I found out, it is quite common to disperse ashes in the water around Hawaii all the time. No requirements, just nothing permanent in the water. People empty just the ashes or do the dissolvable containers. We already have some plans in mind for mine and when it comes time we will co-ordinate with RCCL. So sorry for your loss but glad it was such a lovely experience for your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirian Posted May 29, 2018 #13 Share Posted May 29, 2018 What a beautiful tribute for your father, and nicely assisted by RCCL. Thank you for taking the time to share your story (especially when folks don't often take the time to report a good experience). Melissa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allison0523 Posted May 30, 2018 #14 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Glad that they helped you honor your father this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjtt Posted May 30, 2018 #15 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Thank you Husky1987 for your touching story. Blessing to you and your family on your loss. I too want to be buried at sea and have mentioned this to my family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JamesEM Posted May 30, 2018 #16 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Thanks for posting your story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DISFANS3 Posted May 30, 2018 #17 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Good job RCI.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramja96 Posted May 30, 2018 #18 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Beautiful story - brought a tear to my eyes. Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted May 30, 2018 #19 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Thank you sooo much for sharing your experience with us. This is something my husband and I want to do, however, we want our ashes spewed together (which will be done by our children). May I ask a highly personal question? You don't have to answer if you don't want to. Your dad passed in 2013, so you have had his ashes for quite some time now. Your mom and dad have been on over 40 cruises together. Did your mom not want her ashes to be spread with your dads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Dazzles Posted May 30, 2018 #20 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Very touching. Thank you for sharing something so personal. Nice to know that RC was so respectful and helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnetchief Posted May 30, 2018 #21 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Wonderful story, thanks for sharing that with us. Being ex Navy this is my wish once i'm gone. Nice to know it was so easy to accomplish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky1987 Posted May 30, 2018 Author #22 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Thank you sooo much for sharing your experience with us. This is something my husband and I want to do, however, we want our ashes spewed together (which will be done by our children). May I ask a highly personal question? You don't have to answer if you don't want to. Your dad passed in 2013, so you have had his ashes for quite some time now. Your mom and dad have been on over 40 cruises together. Did your mom not want her ashes to be spread with your dads? Thank you all for the kind words :) No worries on the question. This was just the last small portion of dad's ashes. Most are buried in the family plot, where my mom will be as well. Some are spread in a few places in Ireland when my mom, wife, and I went in 2015 (where my dad and VERY Irish mom went 6-7 times, and I've told mom I'll spread in the same places with her when the time comes, which makes her happy). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted May 30, 2018 #23 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Thank you all for the kind words :) No worries on the question. This was just the last small portion of dad's ashes. Most are buried in the family plot, where my mom will be as well. Some are spread in a few places in Ireland when my mom, wife, and I went in 2015 (where my dad and VERY Irish mom went 6-7 times, and I've told mom I'll spread in the same places with her when the time comes, which makes her happy). How beautiful. Thank you so much....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweFlo Posted May 30, 2018 #24 Share Posted May 30, 2018 We had a burial at sea on Allure in 2013 for my husband's grandfather. He was an avid cruiser and requested in his will be wanted this. Royal was top notch and it was a great experience. We were a pretty big crowd, 15 or so, and each of us felt the same, that it couldn't have been nicer or better handled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted May 30, 2018 #25 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Beautiful story - brought a tear to my eyes. Thank you for sharing. Me as well. The guards hugging mom really got me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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