Committal of ashes at sea

First of all, please accept our sincere condolences. We appreciate that this is a sensitive time for you, and we’ll always do everything we can to assist you in carrying out your wishes and those of your loved one. If you’d like to bring ashes on board or if you wish to scatter ashes at sea, or at one of the ports of call during your cruise, you should find everything you need to know here.

How to prepare

• You will require approval from the Captain in advance of the start of the cruise.*  
• The ashes must be in a biodegradable container and you'll need a certificate or equivalent proof that the container is biodegradable. This is because the ashes will be lowered into the water in their container. Please note that ashes cannot be scattered from a P&O Cruises ship in the Norwegian Fjords.
• You must bring the Certificate of Cremation on board. 
• The person wishing to scatter the ashes must be booked on the cruise. 
• The ashes must be carried as part of your hand luggage. 

* Approval is always subject to change. Times and dates may be restricted due to weather conditions.

Please speak to our Customer Contact Centre at least 90 days prior to sailing by calling 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply), or email our Ceremonies at sea team at: ceremonies@carnivalukgroup.com

 Once confirmed, you will receive details via email and / or post. Times and dates will be finalised on board.

Rules and regulations

• The committal of ashes cannot be performed on cruises of 6 nights duration or less. 
• The ceremony will take place on a sea day and must be at least 12 nautical miles from land. 
• Committals are not possible in areas with protected bodies of water – example, the Norwegian Fjords.
• We are not permitted to scatter the ashes of pets.

The Ceremony

• The Captain or a Senior Officer will accompany you to an outside area, typically a lower deck. 
• If requested, the Captain or Senior Officer will say a prayer. Please note, the ceremony is not a formal or religious ceremony. 
• There is a charge of £250 to conduct the scattering of ashes from our P&O Cruises ships.
• Flowers for the occasion can be bought from the on-board florist or you can bring your own as long as they are completely biodegradable. 
• Once the scattering has taken place, you'll be given the location details (Latitude & Longitude) from the entry in the ship's log on a ceremony certificate.

The cost is £250 and includes the following:

• Dedicated pre-cruise ceremony planner – to help with pre-agreed details such as speeches and any additional elements
• On-board ceremony planner 
• Captain or senior officer to conduct ceremony
• Ceremony certificate
• Floral token – Single roses for up to four guests*
• Champagne for toasting (up to four guests)*

*Extra floral arrangements and Champagne can be arranged at additional cost. Photography services are also available at additional cost.