I got to go aboard the USS Reagan (CVN-76) last year with my son from Honolulu to San Diego and it was one of the coolest things I have ever done! I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Go for it! You will get to meet an extremely competent crew that is getting home after many months at sea - I met Abe in Mayport last August and it was awesome. The racks are kinda small - but so what - my kid lived out of one for 8 months - two days or 5 ain't bad.
Please consider OPSEC.
And Paul's link http://www.navydads.com/profiles/blogs/quick-tiger-blog is really helpful.

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What an honor to be apart of E's last tc.  Please share your experiences with the room when you return.  Hug your sailors for us and tell the THANK YOU!!!  Great work guys!

glad you enjoyed your cruise David...you now understand !!!!

Question? I am going on a Tiger Cruise in April. I am wanting to know if I will be able to use my Cell phone as a camera and to take videos? I am not sure if you have to keep cell phones off on the cruise and not utilize the photo part of the phone. Will I need to take a standard camera and keep the Phone turned off?

John,

When I went at the end of 2010, there weren't specific cell phone restrictions but there were areas where photography was not allowed. My cell phone didn't get service until we were pretty close to port. I would go with whatever you are most comfortable taking pictures with. It was nice to be able to post a pic of my son and I together right after I got on the ship after not seeing him for 7 months. Have a great time!

I just went on the USS Enterprise Tiger Cruise in November.  They did not have restrictions on cell phone use.  Used it until left port then changed it to airplane mode to save battery.  Used regular camera & cell camera all the time.  The closer you get to land the better signal you will have.  But really no service until you are probably less than a mile of port.  You will have fun.  Good luck!

When I went on the USS Reagan about the only places I can remember not being allowed were the bridge and the "nuke" area. Anywhere else we were allowed to go we were told we could take pictures and videos. I remember too that they did not want us taking pictures into the engine intakes on the aircraft. Have a great time!

On the Ronald Reagan it took 6 days to travel from Hawaii to San Diego!!  I had a great time with my son (12 yrs old).

my bud Fred sent this photo from our cruise in '09 on the Theodore Roosevelt.....

l to r: Tom (Fred's father in law), my son Eric, Kira and dad Fred and me!!!  What an awesome experience!!!!

Anyone going on the TC with the USS Peleliu (LHA 5)?

onboard the Stennis right now. Looking for info on cigar social on the FD. If aware post a time for me.

At the airport in San Diego on Monday.  WOW what a great time.  I can not begin to express how thankful I am of the entire staff of the CVN 74.  The Can Do attitude of all the sailors on-board was a tribute to our great nation

Hi All.  I just finished the 2012 Tiger Cruise in February between Pearl Harbor and San Diego.  I was in Civies  and "the people who were working for a living" could not had threated me any better.  They were a very proud group of men and women.  The Officers are really hard workers too.  When asked by the Ops O what I thought, I told him that the Pilot squadrons left the most trash lay around than I could have expected.  Otherwise the time I spent in Pri Fly and on the deck, aft deck or bubble while flight ops is running and it is all very impressive.  I've never seek such a close area like the ship that had so many different smells.  I loved to find some of the younger sailors and just listen to their stories at sea.  My son was a shooter aboard the Stennis and was the CO HD-7 Hangar Deck.  It was a fantastic overall experience that imprinted a sences of honor in my mind not just with my son, but with the entire crew.  IT WAS DEFINATELY SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET!

Has anyone seen the 2013 TC medical screening form published anywhere that I could download?

Laurie,  I sent you a friend request with personal message.

What did you guys wear most of the time on your TC?  Jeans? Shorts?  Do you recommend cameras or is a cell phone camera sufficient? 

Any other advise not already mentioned??

Thanks

Correct Laurie....there are edges, corners, and barriers everywhere on a carrier......if you do fall in the hanger deck or flight deck the non-skid that is everywhere would really tear up the knees and shins.

as far as the camera question....I took more than 545 photos on my two day cruise so you need to plan ahead accordingly--- and remember that any video is a real memory hog so make sure you have the space on your phone

I bought a $200 pocket camera from Walmart, two extra rechargable batteries, four memory chips (something like 8MG each), and a battery charger.  For me it was money well spent.  I filled up all of my memory chips, but like Paul says, video is a real memory hog.  But video of an underway replenishment,  the plankton at night from the Stern, or other operational exercises, especially with your child, is something you'll always cherish. 

Mr. Johnson mentions a jacket, that's a definite item to bring.  I brought some of my old camos and old military (steal toe) boots.  The camos made me feel out of place and only lasted a hour or so,  but those boots paid off.  Jeans with no holes are good.

Do you get sea sick? If you do, a patch behind your ear from your family MD might not be a bad idea before you go.  Over-the-counter dramamine works (but it before you leave), but it'll make you tired.  In any case it's good to know that "Sick Bay" aboard ship is not authorized to treat civilian Tiger Cruise members unless it's a life threatening illness. .............

Just a general word of advice from someone that has been there....you'll go crazy trying to photograph everything and experience it all at once....take the time to savor it!!!  Breathe the air and take a minute to reflect on what you are experiencing and where you are....those memories will leave a lasting impression. Watch your sailors and his/her shipmates.....talk to people and take time to watch the waves.  You'll probably never get another chance to feel the air on your face from the deck or elevator on a Nimitz-class carrier so listen to the sounds of the hull as it slices though the water and the color of the water- you'll be surprised at how deep blue it is once you get offshore a ways.  Notice how the deck moves and the smells and sights and sounds of flight ops.  Live the experience....I was so hung up on getting the pics that at first I think missed a lot.....most of all, enjoy the time you get with your sailor.  Second night my son and I just sat and talked about a million different things.....one of the best times ever for me!!!!

Words well spoken by Paul .........

Paul, Thank you for that advise.  That's what I want to do, but everyone has been telling me to take a bunch of pictures.  I'll take a couple with my phone and be done with it.  I want to experience it all...

I'd still take a zillion, but my point was to make time for the other things as well!!!!  Do not sacrifice the experience just to get digital images......

Thank you Paul!!

I just returned from a TC on the Stennis in May and here are the things that I would pass along.  If your TC is on a carrier, prepare for some down time.  You will be able to get pictures during those times.  Even though they most likely will have a lot of tours and events planned for your enjoyment, there will also be times where you won't have anything going on.  My husband and I woke up very early every morning and met in the hangar bay to go down for breakfast.  Following that, we would go up on the flight deck (as long as drills weren't being done) and up in the island.  We were able to get the most beautiful shots at that time.  In order to avoid the very long lines at mealtime, we were up by 5:00a.m. for breakfast, would eat our lunch around 10:30a.m. and have dinner by 4:00p.m.  Remember that the sailors are eating at the same time as you, so the lines for the mess halls will be very long.  

Since we were working on getting our "Tiger Warfare pin", for the first 3 or so days, we were going on many tours on the ship.  You will be waiting in lines for a some of the tours.  We waited in line for the brig tour, talking with pilots, getting a ride on the elevator, etc.  When we were in new areas and had time, we would speak with sailors about their jobs, the equipment they were running, etc.  We learned so much about the jobs and the day to day workings of the ship, that I am amazed at how much I know now.  :)  That kept us pretty busy.  After about 3 or 4 days, you will probably have most (if not all) of your warfare pin packet signed off and you will have finished all the requirements to earn your pin.  The last day or two of your cruise, you will find that you will have more down time.    It was during that time that we took a lot of pictures.  We didn't miss any of what was going on and yet still, between my husband and myself, we ended up with over 600 photos.  Remember to get email addresses and phone numbers from those that you befriend while on board.  We met some wonderful people, who are now good friends and we have sent each other cd's of each other's photos.  Just because you may not have taken the actual photo, remember that you were there to experience each moment.  During the air power demonstrations, you will be watching more than clicking away, but I was able to get some great photos from a new friend who took many pictures.  

The weather on our cruise started out warmer at the beginning of the cruise (it started in HI) and did turn cooler the closer we got to San Diego.  They will probably be selling many souvenirs and clothing on board, so take lots of cash.  We bought some great ribbed hoodies with our son's ship's logo on it.  My husband also bought coins and shirts from the Strike groups.  The rear admiral on board actually asked me where I got my hoodie, because he wanted to buy one too, lol.  We did tend to wear jeans and t-shirts, but in the evening you will need a jacket.  Even in the hangar bay, it is cold in the evenings.  

Be totally aware of your surroundings and look at the ground while you are walking around the ship.  We did talk to quite a few of the people who said that they had tripped on lines or bumped their heads on things.  Luckily I didn't hurt myself.   

Enjoy your cruise!  When people ask me what it was like, the only thing I can tell them is that it was truly the best vacation I have ever had.  I have a whole new respect for our sailors after seeing how hard they work day to day.  The sailors on my son's ship were so respectful.  I would do it again in a minute and I am 57 years old.  :)  

Also, if you have one of those collapsible sports chairs, take it with you.  They may have entertainment in the hangar bay each night and there is NO WHERE to sit.  They sold chairs on my son's cruise, but by the time we went to buy them, they were sold out.  They will set up tables each day in the hangar bay with items to buy, but as the week goes on, they will reduce the prices as well.  I would watch the prices each day, because I bought my hoodie for $30 the first day and by the end of the week, they were selling for $12, lol.  

just remember there is a difference between the longer Pacific cruises (Hawaii to San Diego) from the shorter Atlantic (Florida to Virginia) cruises so plan accordingly

Should you bring a folding chair for the shorter cruise... I plan on packing light...

I didn't realize that you were going on the Atlantic cruise, it may be different than what we did.   

I did not have a chair....for two days you are pretty busy and any down time we spent in my son's shop where we had plenty of seating....

I have not been on one, but I gather between an East and West Coast long or short Tiger cruise -- there are also differences (of one's own experience) between being on a carrier, amphibs or a submarine...

The chair was only a suggestions for people who may not be comfortable standing for long periods of time.  My son's work area also had seating available.  I did not have a chair and was totally fine without it, but there were people who used them while watching the entertainment in the hangar bay and were happy to have them.  I just put a small blanket down and sat on the ground whenever they had things going on.  The ship even sold chairs on board, so for $10 it was a nice (and useful) souvenir.  It even had the ship's logo on the back.  It's a personal preference for sure.  My husband and I didn't use a chair and we were happy and fine without one.   I was just making suggestions based on what I saw on our cruise recently.  

if you have the space it never hurts to be prepared!!!! some of the folding camp chairs I've seen at REI are downright small in size and can be easily carried in a backpack....

Do the Tiger!

The important thing to keep in mind is that your kid isnt a kid any more. How they learn all the tech stuff they do, and living out of their tiny rack -- take pictures, but more important talk to the crew -
What these people do that were our kids - amazing.

Whatever you can learn about what life at sea is like -- learn it.

I have a zillion questions about the upcoming Tiger Cruise on the Nimitz. My son e-mailed us the forms to fill out which we did, and sent them back to him immediately. I have read here, that we cannot use cash on board the ship during the "cruise", that we should put money in his "shipboard" account. And how do we do that? And if I understand correctly, my son will be the one to notify us of the time and dates for the Tiger Cruise. We have limited contact with our son while he is in deployment. He is a man of few words when it comes to e-mails. We can ask him five questions in an e-mail and he will answer one of them. The one of least importance to us! Any help you folks can give would be apprecitated!

Dave- The emails from my son were of the same nature. They have OPSEC to consider and their internet access can be extremely intermittent. As far as the cash goes, you can't use cash on board. Each sailor has an onboard "cash account". If you want to purchase something, it is easiest to have him purchase it for you and you pay him back. It gets tough trying to get flights arranged with no word on dates, but have faith, you will find out in time. This is not the Navy's first rodeo, and you will find out in time. Pack light, pack light. Did I mention to pack light?

Dave "true that" what Bill said.....dates and times are not to be sent via email though it does happens....consequences? I know of instances where email was shut down.  Bug him about sending info...when he knows the dates he will send.  My son used a code like- In April, 6 days before mom's birthdate...even that was a violation, but he got away with it.  read the group posts...there is a ton of info hidden in those and a ton of info in the links above.  You need to know something---ask away....we may not be aboe to provide any info regarding dates, times, etc., but cruise info shoudl be no problem.  Also may want to browse the Stennis and Ike groups as they had cruises recently.