Why Princess?

The number one reason we’ve chosen Princess is our proximity to the Port of Los Angeles. Although we have Carnival in Long Beach as well as other ships out of L.A., Princess offers a variety of itineraries. We have sailed to Alaska, Hawaii, California Coast and Mexico (Both Riviera and Sea Of Cortez).

We have sailed 10 of our 17 cruises on Princess and have 4 more booked. Still Platinum members but looking forward to free laundry when we hit Elite sometime in 2021. (It’s all about the free laundry, isn’t it?)

The primary reason we are staying loyal to Princess has to do with our Cousin Jerry. Jerry and Suzi’s mom were born 2 days apart, in the same hospital, to sisters. We started cruising together when Jerry was in his mid 70’s but you’d think he was in his 50’s. Jerry was in the kind of shape you wish you’d be in at that age.

The three of us sailed to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean / Adriatic, Panama Canal, Hawaii and Alaska together. We were all booked for Mexico / Sea Of Cortez on Crown Princess in September, 2016 when our world changed. Jerry phoned us to let us know he was diagnosed with the most aggressive type of cancer and probably had less than a year, even with treatment.

Jerry was a lifelong bachelor and loved to travel, so he decided that between treatments, he would travel. He opted to be cremated and have his ashes scattered in whatever body of water was near. That did not set well with us. We asked that when the time came, could we have his ashes and have the privilege of scattering them. Thankfully, he said “of course!”

During a phone call to Princess, the representative asked if there was anything else she could do. So I asked what their policy was on burials at sea. She immediately gave me an email address. AshesRequest@princesscruises.com. My mouth dropped. All we needed to do was send an email with our booking number and Princess would do all the rest. Only stipulations were a biodegradable urn and no burials at sea on Alaskan itineraries. And, it’s all complimentary. WOW!

Fast forward to 1/31/2016. We lost our third Musketeer.

A few weeks later, we received Jerry’s ashes in a biodegradable urn. I sent my email to Princess and received an acknowledgement. This was the same cruise all three of us were booked on…

Fast forward again to Departure day, 9/25/16. We went to the Pursers Desk and talked to Scott Lewis, the Customer Operations Manager. He was expecting us. We arranged for the first sea day, Day 3, at 12 Noon. We sent an email out to friends and extended family as to the time so they could stop and share a moment of remembrance. We were to meet Scott by Club Fusion (Deck 7 Aft).

We arrived with Jerry at 11:50. We noticed that crew members were already beginning to block off the stern of the ship and redirecting those out for their walks. It was an absolutely beautiful day. Warm and tropical. At 11:55, Scott arrived and escorted us outside. The staff let us through and were very respectful. Some of the passengers realized what was happening and offered their condolences.

As we made our way back, we saw that the crew had setup a cloth-draped table with a box of Kleenex. Something so small but so absolutely touching.

In order to allow family and friends to see the ceremony, Scott used my camera’s video option and recorded us.

After saying a few words, we placed Jerry exactly where he wanted to be… The Ocean.

Scott got on the radio and alerted the Bridge. He went on to tell us that Jerry’s location will be recorded on the official ships log. He also told us that we would be receiving a document showing the ships time and coordinates, which we got a few days later. (Once we got home, I looked up the location and saw we were almost exactly halfway down Baja California parallel to The El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve.)

The staff and crew of the Crown Princess went above and beyond. I am not sure if other cruise lines offer a similar service but it could not have been more special.

This, more than anything else, cemented our loyalty.