Burial at sea/scattering ashes

[SerenitySeeker2017]

We are leaving May 1st on the Carnival Elation. I will be bringing my sister's ashes to scatter at sea. Thank you to Carnival for having this available to us.

My question which Carnival cannot completely answer is can I put her cremains in my checked baggage or do I need to put her cremains in my carry on? When I called yesterday they could not give me a decisive answer (they just basically read the FAQ, Link below) but said to do carry on as a precaution.

 

Has any one had any experience with this? Is there a way to reach TSA to ask?

 

In the Carnival FAQ's: https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1132/kw/scattering%20ashes

it states:

• The container/urn must be able to pass through the X-ray machines as well as TSA X-ray machines
  

[Seazond]

My condolences.

 

I'm not sure I understand your question, though. Are you flying to your cruise departure port? If so, I would ask the airline.

[SerenitySeeker2017]

My condolences.

 

I'm not sure I understand your question, though. Are you flying to your cruise departure port? If so, I would ask the airline.

 

 

No, we are driving to the port. I am a disabled traveler so any weight I have to carry on and carry around will affect my mobility and endurance for the day. Have a handicapped room off the atrium but as a first time cruiser don't know how long before I can leave items in room.

[ExpatBride]

No, we are driving to the port. I am a disabled traveler so any weight I have to carry on and carry around will affect my mobility and endurance for the day. Have a handicapped room off the atrium but as a first time cruiser don't know how long before I can leave items in room.

 

If you're driving to the port, how is the TSA involved?

[bmetz34]

Have then in your carry on bc good forbid something happen to your checked bag. Once you check in, hopefully it won't be too long veggie yippy cam get in your room. Maybe you can carry them on and your travel companion can carry any other items you need

 

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[maryred]

No, we are driving to the port. I am a disabled traveler so any weight I have to carry on and carry around will affect my mobility and endurance for the day. Have a handicapped room off the atrium but as a first time cruiser don't know how long before I can leave items in room.

 

Your best bet will is to contact the Port Authority, https://www.jaxport.com/, as they are the ones that provide port security and will have any additional recommendations as to what you should carry on to the ship vs. what can go in to your checked luggage. At most ports checked luggage is pile/tossed 8-10 bags high on a cart so if your bag with the cremates winds-up on the bottom there could be a lot of weight on top of it or if on top experience being tossed to the pile.

As for what time you can access your your cabin on most sailings that will be around 1:30 pm for general boarding passengers. Some ports with assisted boarding will bring mobility challenged guests straight to their cabin then return to the port area with the wheelchair for the next in need passenger. I don't know if Jacksonville does this, so contact the special needs department for your best answer.

[SerenitySeeker2017]

If you're driving to the port, how is the TSA involved?

 

That was from Carnival FAQ's.....the only thing I have found is this regarding TSA:

The TSA works closely with maritime operators, including cruise companies, to implement extensive security techniques involving canine teams, explosives experts, advanced imaging technology machines and terrorist watch list matching. This ensures the security of everyone on-board as well as the safety of U.S. ports in general. Behind the scenes, you are protected by input from multiple agencies in addition to the Transportation Security Administration, including local law enforcement units; the U.S. Coast Guard; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

 

Just on a learning curve preparing for this first time cruise!

[SerenitySeeker2017]

Your best bet will is to contact the Port Authority, https://www.jaxport.com/, as they are the ones that provide port security and will have any additional recommendations as to what you should carry on to the ship vs. what can go in to your checked luggage. At most ports checked luggage is pile/tossed 8-10 bags high on a cart so if your bag with the cremates winds-up on the bottom there could be a lot of weight on top of it or if on top experience being tossed to the pile.

As for what time you can access your your cabin on most sailings that will be around 1:30 pm for general boarding passengers. Some ports with assisted boarding will bring mobility challenged guests straight to their cabin then return to the port area with the wheelchair for the next in need passenger. I don't know if Jacksonville does this, so contact the special needs department for your best answer.

 

Have arranged with special needs for a wheelchair already. Thank you for the suggestion to call the terminal.... I called Jaxport and they said as far as they knew it could be in checked bags.

[SadieN]

Your cabin will be available to you after 1-1:30. Lots of luggage space under the beds.

 

We scattered cremains last October for a mother and son.

Cremains have to be carried on. We had both in a rolling suitcase. Only issue was the security X-ray gal hadn't seen them before.

 

Once onboard, see Guest Services. Make sure you have the proper paperwork. We were contacted quickly with the time of the scattering. They try to do this the first sea day, ours was postponed a few days due to weather and sea conditions.

At the appointed time we met back at Guest Services and escorted to the back of the ship by Purser, Security and Environmental officers. We were allowed as much time as needed. A friend took pictures. A few days later we were given a ship's certificate with the coordinates of where the cremains were scattered.

We used something like this https://www.inthelighturns.com/peaceful-pillow-urns.html. It was easy to use, no need to open it up.

[HawkIVette]

Obviously, the Cremains mean a lot to you, so I would recommend that they never leave your side. Checked luggage has disappeared before and God Forbid, that would be the case.

 

Secondly, you state the "we" are traveling. So, I would recommend that others traveling with you help you out by assisting you with other luggage, so that you can concentrate on yourself and getting through your day as stress free as you can, including taking the necessary time and breaks to get you to your goal. This may include the assistance of port officials (Porters, Carnival Guides and Personnel- a small tip goes along way) and even ship personnel. Ultimately, it is up to you and your family to get to your final destination.

 

Good luck and God Bless you on your mission to serve your late sister.

[SerenitySeeker2017]

Your cabin will be available to you after 1-1:30. Lots of luggage space under the beds.

 

We scattered cremains last October for a mother and son.

Cremains have to be carried on. We had both in a rolling suitcase. Only issue was the security X-ray gal hadn't seen them before.

 

Once onboard, see Guest Services. Make sure you have the proper paperwork. We were contacted quickly with the time of the scattering. They try to do this the first sea day, ours was postponed a few days due to weather and sea conditions.

At the appointed time we met back at Guest Services and escorted to the back of the ship by Purser, Security and Environmental officers. We were allowed as much time as needed. A friend took pictures. A few days later we were given a ship's certificate with the coordinates of where the cremains were scattered.

We used something like this https://www.inthelighturns.com/peaceful-pillow-urns.html. It was easy to use, no need to open it up.

 

Thank you.....When I called Jaxport a little while ago they they said 'as far as they knew' I could put in checked baggage. This does clarify. I looked at those last week, unable to get in time. I would need several as she exceeded the weight limit and which is part of my dilemma in carrying.

[SerenitySeeker2017]

Obviously, the Cremains mean a lot to you, so I would recommend that they never leave your side. Checked luggage has disappeared before and God Forbid, that would be the case.

 

Secondly, you state the "we" are traveling. So, I would recommend that others traveling with you help you out by assisting you with other luggage, so that you can concentrate on yourself and getting through your day as stress free as you can, including taking the necessary time and breaks to get you to your goal. This may include the assistance of port officials (Porters, Carnival Guides and Personnel- a small tip goes along way) and even ship personnel. Ultimately, it is up to you and your family to get to your final destination.

 

Good luck and God Bless you on your mission to serve your late sister.

 

Thank-you.....trying not to exhaust my travel-mate as this trip is also a gift to her for all the help ,kindness, love & friendship she has shown since we were in high school, we are now 58. Though I have never cruised, I usually travel alone and rely on the help of any services available. I am a firm believer that in my case tipping is essential and grateful to be able to do it.

[SadieN]

 

 

Thank you.....When I called Jaxport a little while ago they they said 'as far as they knew' I could put in checked baggage. This does clarify. I looked at those last week, unable to get in time. I would need several as she exceeded the weight limit and which is part of my dilemma in carrying.

 

 

We were able to get two 'pillows' in a standard rolling carryon. We packed other stuff around it. The mortuary helped us put the cremains into the pillows.

At the appropriate time you'll need to carry them (or roll them) to Guest Services, then to the location onboard.

 

We did ours out of Long Beach on a Hawaii cruise. Each cruise port is different.

 

If you do check them thru..... make sure they are not going to be crushed. The pillows are relatively fragile. The suitcases are piled '10 high' and Murphy's Law dictates that the fragile bags will end up on the bottom. Also, if security suspects anything, expect to be called to the 'naughty' room for an explanation.

 

 

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[SadieN]

Found this

 

https://www.inthelighturns.com/peaceful-pillow-army-companion-urn.html

 

A Companion Urn for more than one person or one larger person.

 

 

 

 

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[Badfinger]

I would suggest a late arrival at the port. You should breeze through security and check-in and your room would be ready. This would be easiest physically.

[coevan]

Why are you making this such a big deal, ashes look like ashes. Don't call anyone, don't ask anyone, it is your private moment, go to the stern and scatter the ashes in the sea, god bless.

[mosaic_mom]

Why are you making this such a big deal, ashes look like ashes. Don't call anyone, don't ask anyone, it is your private moment, go to the stern and scatter the ashes in the sea, god bless.

 

Don't do this. You have to go through the ship to avoid getting in trouble. We did this for my daughter last December. We did not have ashes, but we used roses from the ship's shop instead. We had to have her death certificate to do the ceremony. You've already contacted Carnival, which is good. Put the cremains in your carry-on. If you get on the ship around 1 pm, you could usually get to your cabin about 1:30. I am also disabled and use a wheelchair, so I put as much as I can into a backpack. I hang the backpack on the back of the wheelchair (don't overload it) to avoid having my husband carry too much.

 

Once on the ship, go to Guest Services and talk to them about the ceremony. At the time of the event, you will meet at a set location with a representative from the ship and the Environmental Officer. The EO has to decide what can and cannot go over the side of the ship. We bought flowers from the shops to throw over since we didn't have ashes. They walk you to where you will do it and will back off a little to give you some privacy. The ship rep took my camera and took pictures for us too. It was a very nice ceremony.

[Organized Chaos]

I agree with others in that, if it were me, I'd bring the urn in my carry-on. Below is a photo I took of the carts that are used to transport checked luggage from the terminal onto the ships. They are roughly 5' tall and, as you can see, most are filled to the top. I wouldn't want to risk something so precious being crushed if it ended up on the bottom of this pile.

 

[Organized Chaos]

Why are you making this such a big deal, ashes look like ashes. Don't call anyone, don't ask anyone, it is your private moment, go to the stern and scatter the ashes in the sea, god bless.

Do you even understand how insensitive you sound?

 

Aside from that, no one should be throwing anything off of a ship without express permission from the cruise line.

[maryred]

Don't do this. You have to go through the ship to avoid getting in trouble. We did this for my daughter last December. We did not have ashes, but we used roses from the ship's shop instead. We had to have her death certificate to do the ceremony. ...

We bought flowers from the shops to throw over since we didn't have ashes. They walk you to where you will do it and will back off a little to give you some privacy. The ship rep took my camera and took pictures for us too. It was a very nice ceremony.

 

Thanks for posting this, I never knew this was possible. My mom wants to be buried with my father, but she had also expressed that she would love to have a memorial ceremony aboard a ship for the family to celebrate her life.

[SerenitySeeker2017]

Why are you making this such a big deal, ashes look like ashes. Don't call anyone, don't ask anyone, it is your private moment, go to the stern and scatter the ashes in the sea, god bless.

 

Ashes may look like ashes but I know they are the last physical remains of my only sister. The cruise line offers this as a complimentary service but there are certain laws regarding this. I choose to respect and honor them. I would not want to jeopardize my cruise or the opportunity for others to do this.

[SerenitySeeker2017]

Don't do this. You have to go through the ship to avoid getting in trouble. We did this for my daughter last December. We did not have ashes, but we used roses from the ship's shop instead. We had to have her death certificate to do the ceremony. You've already contacted Carnival, which is good. Put the cremains in your carry-on. If you get on the ship around 1 pm, you could usually get to your cabin about 1:30. I am also disabled and use a wheelchair, so I put as much as I can into a backpack. I hang the backpack on the back of the wheelchair (don't overload it) to avoid having my husband carry too much.

 

Once on the ship, go to Guest Services and talk to them about the ceremony. At the time of the event, you will meet at a set location with a representative from the ship and the Environmental Officer. The EO has to decide what can and cannot go over the side of the ship. We bought flowers from the shops to throw over since we didn't have ashes. They walk you to where you will do it and will back off a little to give you some privacy. The ship rep took my camera and took pictures for us too. It was a very nice ceremony.

 

I am going to carry onboard......no question now. I do plan on getting some flowers on-board. Thank you for sharing your personal experience. ~Sharon

[SerenitySeeker2017]

I agree with others in that, if it were me, I'd bring the urn in my carry-on. Below is a photo I took of the carts that are used to transport checked luggage from the terminal onto the ships. They are roughly 5' tall and, as you can see, most are filled to the top. I wouldn't want to risk something so precious being crushed if it ended up on the bottom of this pile.

 

Thank you for posting this pic.....decision made.....will carry on!

[SadieN]

I am going to carry onboard......no question now. I do plan on getting some flowers on-board. Thank you for sharing your personal experience. ~Sharon

 

 

Let them know what the flowers are for. Cannot toss ribbons, wires etc.

 

 

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[pipandgabesmom7]

We did this last September with my sister and uncle's ashes. I was anxious beforehand about getting everything on board. It went so smoothly and Carnival was great! We carried them on with us. We only carried on a small amount of their ashes. We had the funeral home separate them out for us on small baggies. They were in a plastic box urn that the funeral home provided. Once onboard, we talked to them and they called us in the room to with the scheduled time. We ordered three roses, one for me, my Mom, and Grandmother, to throw with the ashes. We met at the guest services desk at the appointed time. The Officers were so kind. One even volunteered to take pictures and a video for us. She said she has done quite a few of them with passengers. She even cried.