I also took motion sickness meds with me, but didn't need them- granted I was on a carrier, but we had some serious weather the first night and would think some people might have gotten ill.  When we got back to land 2 1/2 days later though it was impossible to walk a straight line on land!  I swore the streets were moving!  That took a couple of days to settle down!!!

My wife and I are planning to do the TC for USS H.W. Bush this fall. Since it is still a few months away we have not had any contact about it yet. I assume we will meet the ship at Mayport, and would appreciate any info on food, lodging, transportation, near by attractions and any other that may be helpful. We are going to try to get there a day or two early. Thank you in advance, Chuck

Hi Chuck,  I want to go on the USS Bush Tiger Cruise too.  So if you hear anything or find ouot any info, please share it.  It seems everything is keep a big secret until its to late to make plans.  My son never told me about any of the other events either.  I would have loved to go to them but he said it wasn't a big deal.  I told him it was a big deal to me.  I hope he will tell me when the Tiger Cruise is because I live in California and would need to fly there in time to do it.  The Navy never gives us any information about anything....  It's very frustrating for parents and loved one.  All we can do is hope someone will let us know.

It is not up to the Navy to give you any information- that is entirely up to your sailor. Keep after him- return dates change and not all ship have Tiger Cruises.....setting schedules a long time in advance is not feasible- you have to be flexible and respond as soon as you hear something.....don't think I had more than about 3-4 weeks to make firm arrangements for my cruise. 

Thanks for replying Paul.  I would be happy with 3-4 weeks notice but so far my sailor tells me they don't tell him anything until the last minute.  they don't have access to the internet all the time either when out at sea so it's difficult communicating with them.  It seems like we're always in the dark....  Trying to be patient but it's very frustrating.

Been there- I've had two sailors on cruises to the Mideast so am aware of the lack of comms and the frustration.....keep the faith and keep after him!  There is always snail mail to remind him to "send news!!!!".

My sailor heard a rumor about a tiger cruise for us this fall so I'm keeping that week open already put in for vacation. Got a flight on southwest airlines so I can change it if the rumor dates change, or cancel if this doesn't happen.

@Mike Bennett, Tiger Cruise for the USS George H.W. Bush has been officially canceled. We are going to Norfolk to meet the ship and spend 10 days with our son there. I was looking forward to seeing the ocean for my first time aboard CVN 77, but am happy to be going anyway, maybe next deployment. 

Are we allowed to discuss upcoming Tiger Cruises here publicly?

found this on YouTube:

I shared a photo album from the USS America Tiger Cruise. What an amazing experience we had! Here is a link to the pics https://plus.google.com/photos/113191840206850794419/albums/6072472... 

How about writing a blog about your cruise?

I could give it a shot. Is this something I could do here?

heck yeah!  Go to the top menu bar and you'll see BLOGS click that and you'll see ADD...click that and write!  That's what I did for my Tiger Blog....you can make it as long as you wish....see mine for example: http://www.navydads.com/profiles/blogs/quick-tiger-blog and you'll see that there is a NEXT POST link at the bottom of each page to move the blog along is a series.....

Working on it now, will try to have it posted this weekend. Thanks. 

I have been lucky enough to have been chosen to go on the tiger cruise in February on the USS Makin Island. Does anyone have any tips on what to bring or wear during the week? What I could bring to the sailors? What to expect during this week?

Steve

Hi I went on the USS America TC last fall. Some key things I learned: Pack lightly. I was on a 10 day trip and had a large bag and it was such a hassle getting it to my berth. My bad would have been in the middle of the floor because you really have nowhere to store it when sleeping in the rack. Luckily the rack above me was empty so I kept it there. So if possible pack lightly and bring a small suitcase/bag. Also bring sea sick pills. I didn't get sea sick but am prone to, so hopefully I avoided an ugly scene by bringing some. I brought a t-shirt for the captain but didn't get a chance to meet him. Be sure to read all the literature that comes in your packet, it explains what to wear. They really do a great job keeping us tigers busy I had my fitbit and for the 3 days I walked 5 miles, 6 miles, & 7 miles. Be sure to sign up for all of the activities that way you will be busy, and will get to see every part of the ship. 

I posted this in '12....it's a timely reminder:

I have to remind everyone....THIS IS NOT A PRINCESS CRUISE....you will be living on a working warship.  The amenities are very few, living spaces are very tight and the pace on a carrier is hectic. Go into this with an open mind and enjoy the heck out of it.  Your sailors haven't seen US soil for a long time...they are anxious to get mainland!!!  Drink in the experience....it is an awesome time and will provide you memories for life.

  It may not be a "Princess Cruise", but the experience was absolutely inspiring.  I was on a 3 day Tiger Cruise in 2013 on the Eisenhower CVN69 with my daughter.  Didn't have a bad second on the entire trip.  You'll have lots of activities and learn a lot about what our family members go through in their service.  Seeing a take off and landing from only a few feet away, there's nothing to like it! :-)  

  One word of caution, if you are over 6' tall, wear a hat at all times below decks.  Ships are designed for folks that are south of 6' tall at the most.  The hat will provide early warning before you leave skin on what is "low hanging stuff" to those north of 6'.  I'm 6'6", so the hat was on the entire time.  Also, berths are exactly 6'6" long!  

  Enjoy the trip, and if you're tall, there are plenty of spaces between "stuff" to stand straight!! :-))

So True. I'm 6'3" and wearing the hat is solid advice. Be careful of your shins too, take it slow when walking throughout the ship. Don't try to keep up with the sailors, they get around great and are used to this. I'm sort of claustophobic too so it took me a few minutes to get used to how small the berth (the bunk where you sleep) is. 

Getting anxious to find out about a TC on the TR !

Jim Bair. Contact me via Facebook PM. Mark Skeet Johnson. I am going on the TR Tiger Cruise

Yes OPSEC applies here so good idea to take discussions with specific info over to private messages (where the public cannot access)

Paul did you say a Mai Tai Meet N Greet for TC folks? Oh darn!!

Pina Colada for me watching the sun go down. TC TR 2015 rocks! Hooyah

was gonna say...Mai Tai in Hawaii is the only way to fly (had several there last year!)!!!!!

I am also going to be on TC and I am going to be sipping on that Mai Tai :)

I am also going to be on the TC and I can't wait to sip on that Mai Tai :)!

Mai Tai in Hawaii??  I'm in. That's an easy decision.

If I were going on this cruise I would buy you all a Mai Tai as a way of saying thank you for supporting NavyDads.com and being great Navy dads!

I am excited to be on this Tiger Cruise! This will be the trip of a lifetime. As far as the Mai Tai, I'd rather have a Rusty Nail, but I will not turn a good rum concoction away.

Anyone know anything about staying at Navy Lodge in Pearl ?

going to copy what Tom said in another group: Come on, folks! tell us your stories!!!!

Members have requested Requirement Information.....Here you go!

Q.   What is a Tiger Cruise?

A.   Tiger cruise is the chance for family and friends to see up close what the US Navy does on a day to day basis. In our case, guests will observe at sea operations and an air power demonstration.

Q.   What is a Tiger?

A.   "Tiger" is any relative or friend(but not girlfriend/boyfriend, fiancée or spouse) of a crew member or embarked personnel joining us for the transit.  It was established for family and friends to experience all facets of the shipboard life of their sponsor.

Q.   Who can participate in Tiger Cruise?

A.   Relatives and friends of crew members or embarked personal are eligible.  By Navy regulations, spouses, significant others, fiancés, fiancées, girlfriends and/or boyfriends are not eligible. 

Q.   Are there any age restrictions?

A.  Tigers must be a minimum of 12 years old on the day of embarkation and no older than 75. 

Q.   What medical restrictions apply to Tigers?

A.   Family members and friends with the following medical conditions are excluded from Tiger Cruise participation.

      • Major surgery within the past 6 months.

      • Recent myocardial infraction or other severe cardiovascular disease.

      • Bone Fracture or other disability requiring cast, cane or crutches during embarkation.

      • Embarkation of pregnant females is prohibited.

      • History of severe motion sickness or claustrophobia.

      • Severe emphysema, COPD, asthma, or reactive airway disease.

      • Active communicable disease (tuberculosis/hepatitis).

      • Severe visual impairment.

      • Dependent on anti-coagulant medications.

      • Epilepsy.

      • Hemophilia.

***ALL tigers must bring their own medications - the ship cannot provide subscription medications***

Note: Individuals with the following conditions - angina pectoris, insulin-dependent diabetes, HIV-positive, chronic lung disease, or any prosthetic surgery must have a written clearance from their doctor AND must be approved by the ship's Senior Medical Officer for participation. Please update any changes you have already submitted.

I've got no stories yet, just gathering information and tips from all of you as my wife and I prepare for Tiger Cruise 2016 aboard the USNS Mercy.  Thanks for your posts and knowledge!

Scott, now that pretty cool that you get to sail on the Mercy. We normally only hear about the cruises on carriers and DDGs. We expect pictures! 

You got it Jim. I promise to post a report upon our return.

getting ready for the Stennis Tiger Cruise this will be my third one and its great getting to spend time with my son at his job. Just wondering if any of you other dads are friends of Bill W.

Hi James, hope to meet you on the cruise.Sign up sheet said there would be airport transportation. Try to put everything you bring into a carry-on size suitcase and you will be fine. if you need a printed list of what you will need let me know. thanks Richard

Hello:

I may be able to attend a tiger cruise on the Theodore Roosevelt sometime this spring . Interested in any and all info that folks might care to share. I have read the post here and they were very helpful. Sounds like I may not be able to make travel pla

ns until ~ a month before the date ?  

the key will be your sailor getting the forms for you as quickly as possible once they are available. It's been years since I went on the tc so I forget how much notice but it was more than a month for sure. Maybe 2 or 3 I forget. Keep in close contact with your sailor, make sure he/she finds out when the forms are available at which time the dates should be known so you could make travel plans. good luck