Just got back from a July Tiger cruise on the IKE.

Yes it takes faith to make travel arrangements with little info.

The IKEs Facebook page was a real help.  Perhaps the Nimitz has one. Pack lite...I had a small back pack and a camera... Best thing I brought was a couple of great sandwiches from my sailors favorite deli...Lines at mess can be long... lived on the sandwiches and midrats... not as crowded ...Go with the flow.  Tour the ship its awesome.  Was well worth the planning experience of a lifetime...

For any of you dads that have already gone on a Tiger Cruise, did you find out the dates/times of the cruise from your son/daughter or directly from a Navy official? And was the information given in some form of code that would explain things without spelling out specific dates/times/places?

you'll get all your info from your sailor Dave

Hi everyone. I have been on the TC the last two years on the Stennis and it was great getting to spend time with my Son at his job. I took a step of faith and booked using the dates he gave me and all went well. You will hear this a lot but one more time (pack light, take lots of photos).

if you click this link it'll take you to a list of video/slide shows and blogs about the Theodore Roosevelt cruise in '09.  I've asked tons of folks to write detailed blogs about their experience, but no one really has....so you can read through my series of blog posts and get an idea of the experience and what to do and expect: http://www.navydads.com/group/tigerorfamilydaycruise/forum/topics/u...

CO of the USS Nimitz posted a shoutout on the Nimitz Facebook page a few hours ago.  He mentions the Tiger Cruise coming up.

My wife and I are now officially registered and confirmed for the upcoming Tiger Cruise on the Nimitz. My son held back the e-mail confirming the dates, for a couple of weeks for some reason. I won't mention the dates here for security purposes. We are set up to check into the Marriott at Waikiki in Honolulu a few days prior to the cruise so we can spend a few days in Hawaii beforehand. We're getting pretty excited! We would be happy to meet up with any other "Tigers" that may be in Honolulu prior to the Cruise. Just e-mail me if you are interested in connecting prior to the cruise, either by e-mail or in Hawaii. Looking forward to meeting the other "Tigers".

Hi Everyone, I am trying to find out how many total days it takes to transit from Honolulu to Everett. Reading other posts, it looks like the Honolulu to San Diego trip is 6 days. I presume one day in port in San Diego and 2 days transit to Everett. I am making my travel arrangements. This going to be fun!

Hi everyone, Has anybody heard any more info on the Tiger Cruise on the USS Nimitz?  With everything going on in the world, just wondering if the dates have or can change.

My son who is on the Nimitz, informed us yesterday that the Tiger Cruise is still on but will be delayed. That's all I know. Flights and hotels and all will have to be rescheduled. That'll cost us.

My son who is also on the Nimitz told me that the Tiger cruise was only going to be from San Diego to Everett and that they were skipping Pearl..I'd love to know more information but it comes in pieces(I have a ticket to Honolulu booked)..but I am proud of what they are doing for this country

Our son said nothing about the "cruise" from Hawaii to San Diego being canceled. We will have to question him about that part of it.

I just asked my son about the cruise and he told me that he had not heard about it being cancelled from Pearl just moved out to a later date.  He could not say more than that.  I guess we will all have to try and put this puzzle together with what little info we can get.  Pease keep the posts going with any info you get no matter how little it is.

My son also confirmed no cancelation of either of the cruises, just a

delay.

I just received a letter from my sons commanding officer to show any place you have made travel arrangements to give you a full refund due to the recent international events.  I have already made calls and sent the letter to airlines and hotels that were non-refundable and received a full refund.  If anybody needs this letter to help get refunds on travel, message me and I will send it to you. 

My travel agent is trying for a refund using that letter. What airline were you booked with Dave?

I had Hawaiian Air to get there and Southwest to get home.  Southwest refunded me on the spot but I had to fill out a form online and attach a copy of the letter for Hawaiian Air.  They will respond within 30 days.  Hopefully sooner.

Sorry to hear the cruise was delayed.  Glad to hear that Southwest helped you out and hope to hear Hawaiian Air does as well.  I was fortunate enough to be able to go aboard the Eisenhower in early July for a TC.  It was an awe inspiring opportunity and experience of a lifetime.  We stayed in the same berth as my son's unit and experienced a mere three days of what life is like aboard.

Our sons and daughters deserve nothing but profound respect for the duty, commitment & sacrifice they make aboard their boats day in and day out.

We were very fortunate with the CVN-69 TC in July.  No hurricanes nor dictators destabilizing the planet.  Keep your chins up & hang in there--sons & daughters aboard anxiously watching as well.

I have not received a letter yet - would you mind sending over to me - my wife & are are booked on United.  

I could use a copy of that letter also...I am booked on United...was supposed to leave two weeks from today...oh well..

I was booked on United as well and my travel agent is attempting to get a refund using the letter. I'll keep you posted as to how she makes out.

We got the following info from our son on the Nimitz today:

"I have some news. All that I'm allowed to tell you is that we've been
extended a little longer, and I'll be home just before the holidays".

So of course, that leaves many questions. Is he talking Thanksgiving or

Christmas/New Year Holidays? Is the Tiger Cruise still on, just delayed further? Time will tell.

I heard from my son with the dates of the postponed Tiger Cruise.  Has anybody else received dates yet?  I want to start re-booking my travel, but Im nervous about it.  I would like to hear from at least 2 other people that they have the same dates I do before it book it.  Please message me so we can compare dates.  Thanks

Well done Dave with the "message me" !  Always watching out for OPSEC!!!  Well played!!!!

My son received dates as well but said the information was not official yet.

This is my son's first deployment so I am a rookie like him. I was wondering how often the Tiger Cruises are offered. Does each carrier offer a Tiger Cruise each and every time they return from deployment or are they just offered occassionaly? Anyone know?

Duh.  Tiger offered whenever possible, good PR for NAVY.  NAVY will obviously not ever say anything about  any ship being anywhere ever anytime in advance.  OPSEC.  And NAVY will never make the TC program a priority  and will never commit to do so.

Deployment may be extended, TC dates may change on short notice,  --but.

Get a clue -- it's the NAVY - anything can change anytime with no notice. 

But -- the last few years - one carrier I know with my kid on board did two TCs on each homecoming. Love those racks with a whole 18" overhead

"Does each carrier offer a Tiger Cruise each and every time they return from deployment or are they just offered occassionaly? Anyone know?"

Short answer -- nobody knows

I didn't know a darn thing about the cruises until I got to go on one...so do not feel like you are in the dark.  They are generally offered on return from cruise, but are never a guarantee- that being said, a TC is such good PR for the Navy that they do try to have one when possible.  As world conditions change, and cruise priorities and natural disasters occur, return dates can change so planning can get difficult. Advice- if your sailor's vessel has a cruise, I'd move heaven and earth to do it.....it is an experience unlike any other- at least it was to this civilian......might be boring to those that have done one before or to those that served I found it a one in a lifetime experience.

Apologize for negative tone my previous post.

Thanks Paul.

Main point is -- Tiger Cruise may or may not happen, but if it does -- go for it --  it will open your eyes to how your sailor lives for 6-8 months on end on deployment. Only private space is the rack that some fat dads couldn't roll over in. 

If you get the chance -- do the TC.

no worries...I hadn't seen your post when I replied!!!!!

Sue- you may want ot post that message in the Nimitz group: http://www.navydads.com/group/ussnimitzcvn68

I posed this question to my son on the Nimitz but he hasn't given an answer. So, to someone who has been on a "Cruise", is there a place near a sleeping berth to plug in a battery/phone charger?

there are not many electrical outlets around as I recall....the phone will not work once your about 10-20 miles off land...understand the need for camera power, but I had a digital with me with lots of backup battery power...verify with your buy however as things might have changed since my cruise in '09....oh- in addition theft can be an issue so you want to be careful with your electronics

I am so jealous of everyone that will get to go on a Tiger Cruise. I went two years ago and my son will be leaving the Navy before the deployment is over. I was the best time of my life. Listen to the stories and talk to everyone that you can. I found that I could charge my phone camera in my son's shop. Beyond that, power is limited.

Thanks for the info guys. I don't think I will have any problem because I am going loaded with extra charged batteries/memory cards/etc. But I just wondered in case I might need an outlet. Heck, I think I'm going to have two cameras and a video camera along for the ride. And I have numerous 32gig memory cards and a spare battery for each camera. So I think I've got things covered.

just don't forget to enjoy the cruise and not get so hung up on photos and vids that you miss the experience......standing on the flight deck and watching the cats fire with the wind in your face is pretty intense....experience it!!!!

For those that have done this "Cruise" before on the Nimitz, or any other carrier coming back from the Middle East, do they typically get some shore leave in Hawaii on the way back? My concern is that some of the people going on this Cruise are not getting to Honolulu until a day or two before the Cruise. We are all wanting to see the ship coming in the harbor but some may miss that if she comes in before they arrive.

have not done a Pacific cruise only at Atlantic cruise when my son came back form the Mid-East, but as I recall port time in Pearl is typically only about 24 hours or so

I was on the TC on the Stennis this past April and the ship ended up arriving from the Middle East a day earlier than we anticipated. Subsequently, they they ended up with 2 nights in HI.  We were fortunate that our sailor was not on duty and he was able to stay in our hotel with us for those 2 nights.  I'm sure that this may not be typical, (since nothing is really typical, lol) but we didn't know until the week before the TC that they were arriving in HI a day earlier.  I would plan for at least 2 days in HI ahead of departure day.    

Anyone here signed up for the USS Boxer Tiger Cruise?

Same here anyone signed up for the USS Boxer Tiger cruise?

Just got back from the USS Boxer Tiger Cruise! Hats off to the entire crew of the USS Boxer. Job well done! Bravo Zulu!

USS Boxer Tiger Cruise was a fantastic expierence. So proud of all the men and women that I met while on the cruise.

I've patiently been waiting for my opportunity to attend a Tiger Cruise on my son's ship the USS Howard.  I was not able to attend the last one, but am thrilled I will be able to attend this one coming up very soon.  The ship will have a little more time in port than usual, so my son and I have plans to make the best of our time in Hawaii. 

that is super Paige....it is an experience unlike any other you have ever done! 

Paige I had a fantastic time with my son and his fellow shipmates in Hawaii before the TC, The only downside was the cost of taxis..I spent  about $150.00 in a day and a half..ouch! The TC was a great expierence, one that I will never forget. Have fun, take some Ibuprofen and pepto bismol and you will be set!

Paul and Rick, thank you for your comments.

Rick, my son will be renting a car from a rental facility on the base.  With his military discounts it is going to costs about $110-$120 for the 2 1/2 days we will be needing it.  I will be taking a shuttle from the Airport to our hotel which is only $15.  Down side is that our hotel charges $35 a day additional fees for valet parking which we have to use.  So we gain some and lose some, but it will be nice having our own transportation available for our leisure.

We've made reservations to attend a catamaran cruise and a luau.  And, also plan to tour the Arizona Memorial and the Missouri. My son will be having his going away party with his shipmates while we're in Hawaii as well because he departs from this Command upon their return to home port in San Diego.  It's going to be a whirlwind trip for sure, but most certainly a lot of fun!!

Oh, I have sickness meds already on my list of things to take just in case there is a period I will need it, lol.  Don't think I will, but going prepared just in case!!