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MSC Allow Dispersal of Ashes?


Mrs. Squirrel
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I have searched the limited info on MSC's website to no avail. Before I send my TA on the treasure hunt for accurate info, do any of you seasoned cruisers know if they allow and or facilitate this?

 

My DH passed away on the Carnival Miracle in 2015, and a burial at sea of his cremated ashes was his wish.

 

We have been on Divina twice, and there is an upcoming itinerary that would be perfect for this.

Edited by Mrs. Squirrel
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I have searched the limited info on MSC's website to no avail. Before I send my TA on the treasure hunt for accurate info, do any of you seasoned cruisers know if they allow and or facilitate this?

 

My DH passed away on the Carnival Miracle in 2015, and a burial at sea of his cremated ashes was his wish.

 

We have been on Divina twice, and there is an upcoming itinerary that would be perfect for this.

Can I scatter cremated remains from a cruise ship?

 

There seems to be mixed reports about scattering ashes from the cruise liners. Feedback from certain cruise lines suggests that they do not encourage the act of scattering ashes from the vessel whilst at sea. However, both NCL and Carnival have confirmed that they will permit an ash scattering ceremony onboard with certain guidelines.

  1. The guest must contact the Guest Services Desk once onboard the ship.
  2. The Guest Services Staff and the Environmental & Occupational Safety Officer (EOSO) will coordinate the burial at sea.

 


  • Depending on the ship’s itinerary, a time and location will be coordinated based on the guest’s suggestions and operation requirements.
  • The ceremony must be performed at least 12 nautical miles from land and any restricted areas noted on the nautical charts and notices to mariners.

 

  1. Once the date and time are finalized, Guest Services will notify the family of the scheduled ceremony.
  2. The family will be escorted to the area by the EOSO and a Security Officer.
  3. The family will be given privacy to disperse the ashes and the area will be secured in order to ensure privacy without disrupting other guest activities.
  4. Biodegradable containers and flowers may be dispersed but not any plastic materials such as plastic ribbons, plastic flowers, plastic urns, balloons, etc.

The main thing to consider when scattering ashes from the side of a ship is how the ashes will disperse, and avoiding any blow-back action from the wind, where you could end up covered in the ashes or other passengers could. This is where using a biodegradable cremation container that can be cast into the sea and then will slowly sink and dissolve is a great idea.

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Just a quick add on to the above. You must notify BEFORE your cruise that you request this. You can't just show up with the ashes and then notify them of your plans. I did this on Princess with my sisters ashes and was amazed at the ease of handling this sad ocassion. I cannot praise the line enough how they handled it. Contact MSC corporate for details and your wishes.

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Just a quick add on to the above. You must notify BEFORE your cruise that you request this. You can't just show up with the ashes and then notify them of your plans. I did this on Princess with my sisters ashes and was amazed at the ease of handling this sad ocassion. I cannot praise the line enough how they handled it. Contact MSC corporate for details and your wishes.

 

+1! Contact the company and I am certain something will be arranged... While rare and somewhat discoraged, it is not so uncommon than you may think. Have the best cruise possible on those circunstances!...

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Sorry for OP's loss.

 

Just wondering, which places use cruise lines to perform this?

 

Not a public venue on the highest deck near a railing right?

The tender/pilot door, at the aft deck where the mooring lines go?

 

When we did this on Princess, they closed off the Prominade deck at the back of the ship. Totally private, had flowers set on a table with cloth, threw flowers overboard in wake of ship.

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  • 2 weeks later...

My wife and I have discussed this ourselves but didn't know the answer.

 

I think we would have gotten to a Caribbean port and then taken a small boat out from there.

 

I should point out that we are 44 and 49 so aren't planning to pass just yet, but it's good to have discussed these things.

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