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Comment by Kerry Tams on July 18, 2012 at 9:41pm

Mayport is right next to Jacksonville. Glad to hear moms are getting invited directly. We did have to fill out a medical history and email it in, and ours had the option of a Dr.'s signature but it wasn't required. The ships medical staff reviews all of the requests, which is why I made sure to have my Dr. review and sign anyway. Didn't want to miss it on a technicality! I really hope you get to go April, it is such an incredible experience - and the history of the ship surrounds you. 

Comment by April Ewing on July 18, 2012 at 9:10pm

So Mayport is in Florida?  Our Sailor can invite two.  Right now he's invited his dad and has offered me a slot.  I think his stepmom should go too.  We got the Christmas visit and they didn't.  His dad may not qualify due to past injuries.  Do we need to pass a physical?  Do you know what that might mean?  Anyway, I appreciate the information.  If my son's dad can't go, then he is going to issue the invite to us.  So I guess male Sailors can invite their moms.  I hope to go to this one as its his first deployment and the E's last.  But like I said, I'm willing to step back and let his dad and mom2.0 take this one.  Gotta share him, that's divorced families for ya.  I have friend in FLA so I will see if I can couch surf with one of them, it not get hotel.

April

Comment by Kerry Tams on July 18, 2012 at 7:40pm

April, David, other Big E folks,

My son is home now from the E, so I don't have any current info on this Tiger Cruise. I did get to go last July, so I'll pass on how that one worked - maybe it'll give you a little heads-up for this one.

The sailors were permitted initially to invite one guest until they found out how many would be coming. Male sailors could only sponsor a male guest, female sailors a female guest. Not all sailors had guests, so some sponsored moms of sons and dads of daughters for instance. Shortly after the first round of head count, they opened up a certain number of spots for sailors to sponsor 2 guests - which is how my youngest son was able to join me, but mom didn't get to go. From what I heard, getting someone else to sponsor a parent was not encouraged, but it sure looked like I saw a lot of that which was fine. This is the last cruise and slots will be VERY popular, and then number of Tigers that can be accepted will depend greatly on how many sailors opt to leave the ship early.

We met the ship in Mayport, and the USO had a table set up in the JAX airport with all kinds of information about how to get to your hotel and then to the base. Big E sponsored buses to pick up Tigers from a number of hotels where they also arranged a discounted rate for rooms. Enterprise also notified us of the 2 or 3 taxi companies that would be allowed on the base to take us as close as we could get.

My advice to all of you is to get to the base at the earliest possible time. You will wait a while for the ship to come in, but your security line will be much shorter than if you wait even an hour or so. We could get there as early as 7 if I remember, and you'll also be fighting the traffic of everyone going to work (if it's a weekday). It was July for us and very hot, I'm assuming fall will be a bit different. Pack light, but pack smart - layers are the order of the day. The ship will provide you a comprehensive list to follow, but be sure to get more specifics from your sailors. Oh, and when you fly wear something Navy or an Enteprise ball cap - about half of our Southwest flight from Houston to JAX were people going on Tiger Cruise or meeting a sailor. Talk about a short plane ride!!

If I can help with anything else, please don't hesitate to ask.

Comment by David Zeigler, Sr. on July 18, 2012 at 5:29pm

April,

flying to jax from dfw.  the real issue is getting from airport in jax to the hotel close to the base.  the plane ticket is not a problem.  Don't know what a taxi would cost or if car rental has a return place close to base.  things to still work out.  I am in Marshall, TX, on I-20 close LA border.

Thanks for asking.  I will keep you informed

Comment by April Ewing on July 18, 2012 at 2:38pm

David, where in Texas are you traveling from?  Our Sailor has asked his dad, so his 2.0 and I may not make this one.  If, however, his dad can't, we will try to.  So where are you from and are you going by car or plane?  I guess we need more information.  I know nothing about Tiger Cruises, like where we meet up with the ship and what all.  Keep us posted, but if you find another family to travel with don't wait on us.

Comment by David Zeigler, Sr. on July 17, 2012 at 9:57pm

Anyone going on TC on Big "E"?  Let me know, maybe share hotel or ride from airport.

 

David

Pround Texan Dad

Comment by Forrest Glass on July 4, 2012 at 12:39pm

Hello Jose,  Welcome aboard, and I agree with Jack, you will love the graduation ceremony.  It will be a day your son will have worked very hard for.  Be sure to go to the NX and stock up on Navy stuff.  Congratulations on your son's decision.  Do you have any questions?

Comment by Jack Beauchamp on July 4, 2012 at 12:22pm

Mr Perez Welcome to the navy family. i can fully understand the fires. We had our share of those P K fires.Im also a vol.ff At grad. in chicago be prepared for a great day. Its an amazing ceremony. Its a day your family and new salor will never forget.

Comment by Jose Perez on July 4, 2012 at 9:45am

Hello I'm a proud Texan and my son will going oct.2nd to boot camp and we live in our new rebuilt home in Bastrop ,Tx after almost lossing my son in the wildfires last year and him deciding to join the Navy has made us so proud of his act of valor award he received form JROTC after graduation so the Navy better be ready for this guy

Comment by Jack Beauchamp on July 4, 2012 at 9:10am

Hello all proud Texans. my name is Jack.We live in weatherford. Proud navy dad. 2 sons hm fmf, currentley deployed afgan.1 hm2, 1hm3, also daughter thats ma norfolk area.    

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