Can we scatter ashes at sea / can I carry ashes on board?
Commital of ashes at sea
It is possible to arrange a commital of ashes from our ships at sea but is dependent on certain factors, and requires approval from the Captain in advance of the start of the cruise.
The Captain or a Senior Officer will accompany the guest to an outside area, typically a lower deck and, if requested, they will say a prayer. Once the commital has taken place, the Captain will normally provide you with location details from the entry in ship's log.
Requirements:
- There is a £250 charge for this package.
- The Certificate of Cremation will also need to be brought on board.
- Ashes must be stored within a biodegradable container, with certificate or equivalent proof, that this is a bio-degradable.
- This is because the ashes will be lowered in to the water and not physically scattered.
- The ashes will need to remain in the biodegradable container for the committal and will not be scattered outside of the container.
- Please note that the biodegradable container excludes plastic dissolvable bags.
- The maximum number of attendees for a Committal of Ashes ceremony is 10 guests.
- The guest must speak to our Customer Contact Centre team at least 90 days prior to sailing or email our Ceremonies at Sea team at: ceremonies@carnivalukgroup.com or call 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply).
Please note:
- The ceremony is not formal or religious.
- We are not permitted to scatter the ashes of pets.
- Once confirmed, the guest will receive details via email / post. Times and dates will be confirmed on board according to maritime law.
- The person wishing to commit the ashes must be booked on the cruise.
- When we send confirmation to the guest, we will also advise that the ashes have to be carried as part of hand luggage in a biodegradable container along with the Certificate of Cremation.
- Commitals are not always possible in protected areas of water – for example, the Norwegian Fjords.
- Commitals can only be confirmed within six months prior to the sail date. In addition, requests should be sent within 90 days prior to sailing.
- Commitals are subject to event availability and operational requirements.
Commital of ashes ashore:
Should a guest wish to bring ashes on board with the intention to scatter them ashore, they must check the local rules in the relevant country regarding the private scattering of ashes.
Guests would also need to seek correct approvals from the respective country to do this.
Please note, P&O Cruises would not be able to assist with this process and none of the ashes may be put over the side of the vessel either at sea or in port unless arranged prior. Please check this with the relevant Events team (email address below) by providing the guest's booking reference and the cruise code. The Events team will then notify the ship and Port Operations, in case there are issues joining at security.
Commital of pets / Carrying pet's ashes on board
The legislative requirements are complicated and vary from country to country. Pet remains are classified as a waste material in many of the countries we visit and therefore carrying these items on board requires them to be handled and stored in a compliant way. Regulations within the EU (which includes Norway) require us to declare and offload waste when we visit their ports.
Unfortunately, animal remains would have to be declared and offloaded as part of this legal requirement, to avoid this potential upset for our guests, we do not allow pet remains to be brought on board.
Bringing ashes on board (not to scatter)
Should a guest wish to bring ashes on board but does not intend to scatter them, please check this with the relevant Events team (email address below) by providing the guest's booking reference and the cruise code. The Events team will then notify the ship and Port Operations, in case there are issues joining at security.
For example: an instance where a guest wishes to bring ashes on board which are contained in a memory bear.
Additional Information
Please call the Customer Contact Centre for support with arranging ashes to be brought on board.